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A N ^

ABRIDGEMENT

HISTORY

OF HIS

L/FEan

WITH

An Account of the Minifters, fe'c

who were Ejefted after the R.eftauration,
of King Charles II.

Their Apology forthemfelves, and their Adherents,
containing the Grounds of their Nonconformity :
Their Treatment in xh^ Reign of King Charles^
and King J^w<?j-5 and after the Revolution : And
the continuation of their Hiftory, to the paffing
of theBillagainflOccafionalConformity,in 171 1.

The ^am <^XA\m, : In Two V O L U M E S. Vol. I.

By Edmund Calamy, 2). 2).

LONDON:

Printed for John Lawrence, at the Angel in the Poultry ;
y. Nicholjorty and J, and B. Sprint in Little-Britain j
i^. I{pbinjfon in St. Paul's Ghurch-yard, and N. Ciiffe,
and D. Jacl^fon in Cheapfide. 1 7 1 3 .

T O T H E

Duke oiDevcnjJnre.

May It pleafe Your Grace,

OVR Acceptance of
the former Edition of
this JVork^^ emboldens
me to lay the Second at Your
Graces Feet^ with its fre»
fent Additions and Amende
ments.

A 2 h

1- ft -ir-na-

The Dedication.

It can he no furpri^ing Tubing
to Your Grace, that Your 2)e-
fcent from one who appear'^d fo
early in the Glorious Caufe of
Liberty^ and Your own firm Ad^
herence to the Principles of the
RevoluticWl,^ in 'which Your
ISJolAe Father -W;^ fo JBive:
Yoiir dec lard Averjton ^io iBigO'm
try and Terfecution • and Your
Zeal for the Proteftant Sm^
cejjion in the lUuflrious Houfe
of Hanover ; jhould mal{e

the ' Proteftadr !^^

Qwho are not capahie' of having
any fecular Interefl to ^ve^
eppofite to that in T»hich ^hfbur
Graces fo heartily engag'd^)
Anihitiousoffemring^^YoHr go$d

4. - /: While

The Dedication.

JVhile fome purfue them mth
fttrioHS InveHiveSy n^hich they
can eajtly dejpije^ they are apt to
Flatter themfelves^that a jufi Senfe
of Honour:, mU plead for them
TOoith tho/e of four Gkaces
ISIohk T>if^ofttion : Jnd produce a
T^endernep for a "Body of Men^
who endurd great Severities
from the Laws of their Coun-
try^ before they could be Tolera^
ted '^ and have been rudely inftdted
jince they have been under the
Jhelter of the AB of Indulgence ;
and are at la/i rendred incapable of
any publicly Service^ and yet are
exceeded by none in a dijtntere/ied
JfeBion to their QV E EN and
Country^ or in an irreconcilable
Averfton to Topery and Slavery.

It

The Dedicatioii.

It u indeed a great wihappinej^^
that Proteftants /hould be Jo
much divided^ and that -where
there is fuch an Harmony inToints
of Faithy there /hould be fuch a
i»ant of Charity in Matters of
meer Opinion : "But upon compa^-
ring the Account here given^ mth
the Narratives of others^ Your
Grace mU eafilypaf a fudg^
went on 'which Side Charity is
mo/i wanting. The Tt»o proper
Seafons for an Accommodation in
1662 and 1^88, mhich xpere fo
jludioufy lofl^ will be fujjictent to
determine that 'Toint -^ together
mth the Hi[tory of that Occa-

fional Conformity, nphich

was dejignd to be exprejjive of
Charity to thofe^ T»ho have unkindly
reprefented it as intended to ferve

a

The Dedication.

a Turn^ though its well k;non?n
to have been praBis*d^ before
there was any Turn to be fervid
hy it.

I can affure Your Grace /
have been Faithful and Impart ialy
according to the beft Light I could
obtain : And rphatever elfe I may
be miftaken in, am well fatuffd
in this^ that Your Grace has
too Noble a Spirit^ to be for our
being run down mth Obloquy and
Contempt^ meerly becaufe we can t
jpeal^ and aU as fome would have
us^ from whom we cannot jujlly
b^faid to differ morCy than they
do among themfelves.

That Your Grace may be
long continud aTatron of Liberty ^
a Supporter of the Reform' dKeli^
giony oj our prefent Government,

and

The Dedication.

and the Proteftant Succefjion,
as it is happily EfiahlijHd by
han? among us ^ and leave a
Kace of "Tatriois behind YoUy
Eminent for the fame Heredi^
tary Spirit of- Gtandenr and
^enefcence^ to tranfmit %ur
Name \and Honour unfiaind to
fucceeding Ages^ is 4he T^rayerof
many, ^efides^ .\

May it pleafe Your G r a c e,
Your Graces

i. '

Moft Hunjble and

Moft Obedient Servant,

Edmuod Calamy^

THE

PREFACE.

IT is well known to many, that Dr. Henry Snmpfon^
who at firft defign'd for the Miniftry, and was af-
terwards an eminent Phyfician for many Years in
this City, had taken a great deal of Pains in col-
lecSting Materials for a Hiftory of Nor.conformity, and
Memoirs concerning the Ancient and Modern Noncon-
formifts. Several of his Papers having been kindly pnc
into my Hands, and of ufe to me in this Work, efpeci-
ally in the Second Part ; and amongft the reft, having
by me a Plan of his De/ign, I {hall here Communicate
it to the World. It was to be Entitled,

" An Ejfay of the Hiftory of PVJ^ITANISM and
" 'NOI^CONFOBJAITT: Declaring what (he Men of
** fhofe Chnraciers have done and Jujferd ^ fince tht
*' Reformation of Religion /» E N G L A N D." It began
with,

The IntroduBion^ or a Preface, (hewing what were the
Things contended for, and the Points of Difference, as
well in DoBrine as Dijcif>line, Government^ Liturp, 8cc,
wherein they deHr'd Refornutioif. And Twenty fix
Chapters were to follow in this Order ;

Chap. I. Of fuch as are faid to have Aded or Suffered
in the Caufe of Reformation during the Reign of King
Henry VMl: Particularly, TiW<j/, Frithy Barnes, Bi.n.y,
Lambert, Garret, Hierom, 8cc. Ihewing how fir they
jigreed with the Diflenters, or difagreed from them.

With an Appendix concerning Tindal's Tranllation of
the Bible,

Chap. II. Of thofe that were the great Promo-
ters of the Reformation in the Days of EHveard VI.
How far they inclinM to Puriianijm and Noticoufr^
mity, (fo caird in after Times) or hgw avcife thereco .-

a «'^^-

The PREFACE.

^»v of K}dley^ Hooper, CrnnmeTy Latimer , Verrex^
H.irly, Taylor, Pqynet, and Others, compilers of the
Common Prayer: Of the Mirreprefcntations given of
the 111 by Dr. Heylin.

An appendix of the feveral Unglifh Bibles in publick
Ufe hitbeno.

Chaf. III. Of the Attempt that was made for the J^tf-
fofin-itio Legum Ecclefinflicarum, in King Edward's Days ;
Its beginning, progrels, and frulViation in that, and in
0.ueen E'li^abeth'i Reign afterwards.

C'.\^p. IV. Of other principal Perfons that fuffer'd in
the Matiati Days; how far they feem to own the Puri-
tan Do6trines and Principles : •&;;(. iipj^erj, Sanders,
Bradford, Samuel^ Carele/s, &c.

Chap. V. Of fuch as were Exiles in Queen Mary'*s
Reign . Their Congregations and Difcipline at Fratik/ord,
^urlch^ Strashurghy Arrow, Geneva, ^^^fiK ^^*

With an Appendix of the Tranflation of the Bible,
and finging Pfalms at Geneva.

Chap. VI. Of thofe that return'd from Exile in the
Reign of Queen Eli:{abeth, and became Dignitaries in
the Church : Their Temper and Difpolition towards the
Nonccnformifts: vi:{, Grindal, Sands j Parl{lmrft^ CoXy
Pitktngtov, Noxvel, fVoitingham, Cole^ Humphry s. Turner^
Horn, Jewel, &c. With an Appendix concerning that
Tranllarioo of the Bible callM the Bifloopt Bible,

Chap. VII. Of the Queens InjunUions^ and the Con-
troverfie moved thereupon, about Conformity to the At-
tire, wliereupon divers refus'd Preferment in the Church,
and others that had already been prefcrr*d were' now de-
priv'd; amongft whi^h were fome thatcamc from Exile:
An 1 5f 6. As Covcrdale, Bale, Leaver, Samp/on^ PuUeyn, Carlijlcy
Peifecu- Fax, ff^hitehead, Gtlby, Crowly, Goodman, &c. Others
lion i. vvere of the fame Mind, and fuffer'd in like Manner,
but had never been Exiles: As Gilpin, Morton^ Che/ion^
JKjnglmiS, fVitheri, (Fellow of Queen's College Cam^
bridge) 8cc,

Chap. VIII. Of the Opinion of fome Foreign Divines
about thefe Controverfies and Sufferings ; their inrerpofing
by Letters to the Queen or Bilhops : Such as Calvin (once
and again before it came to Deprivation) P^Martyr,
/^nmhy^ Bc:^a, BuUifigcr, Gualter,

Chap]

The P R E F AC B.

Chap. IX. Of the Admonitign to the Parliament • the
Authors and Defenders thereof, and Sufferings thereup-
on ; and other Troubles thar fell upon divers others Per'etru
from the 1 5th of the Queen, till the Death of Archbi- tion U.*
fhbp Parker: Which wqsq Edward Dealings Crane, fj/ii-
coXy Standoriy Field, Cartmight^ I^bcrp Traven, Fcnn of
Coventry, Grembam, Fw'ky Mnrbury, Gaxvton, Sec.

Chap. X. Of the quiet Time whilft Edward Grindat
was Archbifliop of Canterbury, and the great coalefcence
of Minds, whilft by fo much Moderation and induftri-
ous Piety, he prefided in the Church : With ReflejSions
upon Dr. Hey tin and others, as to what ihey fay about
Grindali:(ers, .;

Chap. XL Of the firft Storm under Archbifhop ^%iV-
gift, upon the coming out of his Three ArticJfes, and re-
quiring Subfcription to them. Of feteral Troubles oc-
cafion'd to the Nonconformifts by the publifhing of
Martin-Mar-Prelate, the fpreading of Brownifme, the
Madnefs and Treafon of Hac^et, &c. which fome did
endeavour to fix on them. Of the feveral Perfons that
were troubled, deprived, and filenc'd by this Archbilhop
or his Agents, in the High CommiiTion Court, the Star- Perfecu-
Chamber, and the Courts Ecclefiaftical: vi:{. Vdal, Tra- tioa 111.
^>ers, Dudly Fenner, Gifford, Bjch. I^ogers^ Perkins, Brown^
LevervpQodyCharkfGardinery Snape, Bainht ig, Jobnfon^ Penry,
old Mr. Cavpdry^Scc: John P^yrMs o^ Oxon^ and H^. Wi)i-
taker oi Cambridge y notefcaping his frowns and menaces.
Chap. XII. Of the Patrons and Favourers of theNon-
conformifts during the whole Reign of Queen Eli:[abcth^
by whofe Means under God they weather d out all thefe'
Storms: As the Lord Keeper S^cow, the, Lord Treafurer
Burleigh, the great Earls of Bedford, fVarwick, Leicefier
and Huntington^ the Lords Grey and Hoveard^ S'u Fmnck
Walfingham, Sir H^alter Mildmaye, Sir Amiens Pculet, Sir
FrancH KjioUes, Mr. Beale, Sec. in the Court ; befides
divers eminent Gentlemen in the Houfe of Commons,
aiid in the Country.

Chap, XIII. Of their principal Adverfaries amongft
the Nobility, Gentry, and Clergy : Thofe that ad-
ed or wrote moft keenly againft them ; as the Arch-
bifljops Parker and fVhitgifi^ the Lord Chancellors
tiatton and Bromley; the Lord Keeper Pickering}
The Biihops ^Imtr, Cooper, Bridges, Bancroft;

a 2 Dr.

The PREFACE.

Dr. Sutcliff ^ Dr. Co:(ins^ Dr. Stanhope, Mr. B^gers^
Mr. Hoohr^ &c.

C/7/a/). XIV. Of the entrance of King Jnmes. The Con-
ference at Hampton-Couu. Of the four Perfons nominated
"by the King to reprefentthc Cafe of the Nonconfornnifts ;
vi:{. Dr. Reynolds, Sparkj, ChaJertot:, and Kpevojlub ; with
an Appendix concerning a Tranflation of the Bible, fol-
lowing hereupon, commonly cali'd the Kings Tranfla-
tion.

Chap. XV. Of the Convocation that followed not

'long after, and the Conftituiions there made; and the

-depriving, filencing, Infpending, and admonilhing of

above 300 Minifters, during the Time Dr. Bancroft was

Archbilhpp of Canterbury^ fome of which bore thefe great

Pe fs-cu- ' 'Sa.mcs, Hilderjham, Dod^ Pnrl{er, Sherwood, Midgeleyy

lion IV. Burgefi, Bourn, "B/tin, Brad/haw, Taylor,- P^g^^j Carter^

BateSy F{othvQelly Broughton^ Brightman, H^ootton^ Jacoh^

Pike, John Nicols, &c. With a fujl Catalogue of the

reft.

Chap. XVI. Of their Troubles during the Time of
Dr. i^^^orj being Archbi(hop, which was a tolerably quiet
Interval, efpecially in the latter part of it, and produc'd
many Moderate Conformifts, but fuch as were uneafie
enough under the Ceremonies, iftid were reputed Puri-
tans: Such as Bo//^on, Sibbs, Prejlon, Barnard, Stoughton,
Ward of Ipfmch, John Doxvnham, Pemble, Byfield, Dr.
■Gouge, &C. Of fuch as were troubled in other Dioccfes,
vi:(. Ames, Hind^ !{. Nichols, 8(C.

■' Chap. XVII. Of their great Vexations whilft Dr. Laud

was Favourite, and Archbifhop, and had his Creatures

a(5iing in their fevcral Diocefcs ; fuch as Dr. iVren, Peirfe^

Perfecii- Lyndfel, (3c. Partly by prefling the legal Conformity to

tioa V. the height, and introducing fome Things that were cajfd

new Conformities; partly by putting down and filencing

all Le£iurers, and partly by fufpending fuch as refus'd to

read the Book, of Sports : Whereupon above a hundred

fled into New-England, and divers into Holland: And

many were forc'd to abfcond, or fiifTei' the trouble of the

Pcrrecu- "High Commil^on; fome of which were, Hooker, Cotton^

lion VX. Eliiot, Stone, Shcpp^rd, Bulkly^ FQtovc^les, Mather, Good^

"win, Sim/on, Jof. Sifnmondi^ H^ard^' Herring, Burton,

Hoxlcy, Edwards, Carter, Tijomas, Crooks, Nevrton, Jenni^

foH^ H^r^thy pVilJcnf Valentim, Archer, Capcl, 3cc,

' ' Chapi

The PRE FA C E.

chap, XVIII. Of the entrance' of ihc Long Parlia-
ment, the calling of the AlTembly of Divines, the Nameg
and Charaders of thofe that fate, their Bufinefs in their
many Seflions from 1643 till 1647, with a Vindication
of fuch of them as Ant. a IVood hath afperfed in bis A-
thence Oxon. Of the folemn League and Covenant
which in this interval was compofed, and in many Pla-
ces rigoroufly imposed, to the prejudice of their Caufe,
and fequeftring many of the Epifcopal Clergy.

Ch/fp. XIX. Of the State of Religion, and Carriage
of thofe heretofore reputed Nonconformifts, from the
Time of King Charles the Firft's Death, till the Reftau-
ration of King Charles the Second.

Chap. XX. Of their Intereft and Agency for the King's
Rfftauration ; and their endeavours for a Reformation
after he was reftor'd. Of the Conference at the Savoj.
The King's Declaration concerning Ecclefiaftical
Afiairs.

Chap. XXL Of the Depriving and Silencing no lefs •
than 2000 Minifters by an A(St of Parliament, that took
Place Aug, 24. 1 661, Of another Adl againft Conven-
ticles the Year following.

Chap, XXIL Of a Third AA of Parliament procured
againA them, by which they were oblig'd to quit all
Corporations, and the Places they Preach'd at, to live „ ^
Five Miles from them, or be imprifond. t-l^'^Ma

Chap, XXIIL Of a Fourth Ad procured agimft '^ ^^^'
them, whereby their Preaching to above Four Perfons,
others than of the Family, was declared a Conven-
ticle; the Preacher to pay 20/, and the Houfe 2o/.Perfecu-
more, (^c, tion IX.

Chap, XXIV. Of his Majefty's Declaration for Liber-
ty of Confcience, Mnrch 15. 167^, and of the Liberty
of Meeting and Preaching thereupon taken for fome few
Years.

Chap. XXV. Of the abrogation of that Declaration :
And the prorrading of Liberty not withftanding, in fomc perfecu-
Places till the Year i68o; From whence the ipvereft of tio^ x.
thefe Perfecutions enfued.

Chap. XXVL An Account of thofe 2000 Nonconfor-
mifks that weredepriv'd and (jlenc'd after the Reftaura-
tion of King Charles the Second j exhibiting a Lift of
thisir Names J fome Ihort Account of the Adings, Wri-

%^ tings.

The P R E F A C t.

tings, md Sufferings of fever al of the moft Eminent
aiDongft them ; and the Charaders of fuch of them as
jinf. J t4'ocd hath injuriooHy retieded on, and falfly rc-
prefented, modeftly Vindicated.

Had this Work been finilh'd, and appear d in the
World, it might have been a means of convincing fomc,
that Nonconformity hath all along had a elder eonnexion
with both oir Civil and Religious fnrereft, than they
are willing to allow: And that the prefent Nonconform
mifts, (as much as they are inveigh'd againft) A<9t in the
main upon the fame Principles with tbofe who have
been moft Eminent for rcriou<: Religion ever (ince the
Reformation^ But he did not live to accomplifli his
Defign, and bis Papers have fince been fcatter'd. Mr.
lipgcr Morrice alfo had made great CoUedlions for the
fame Ptirpofe, which might yet help in fuch a Defign,
when one of fuitable Ability is at leifure for that
purpofe.

Thefe Two Volomes which I now publilh, take in
the Nine laft Chapters of Dr. S/impfon^s Plan ; and if the
other Seventeen Chapters were brought within the
compafs of another Volume of the like bulk, I appre-
hend it would be an ufeful Work.

I here take for my Foundation, Mr. BaxtA^^i Narra-
tive of his Life and Times, which has been Extant fdr
feveral Years, and has met with the fame Treatment as
he in his Life time was fo much us'd to, both as to his
Perfon and Writings ; It has been much valuM by fome,
and as much flighted by others : But where it has been
moft freely cenfur'd, it has been generally acknowledg'd
to contain a Colle(Sion of many valuable Things of di-
vers Kinds ; and that an Epitome of it would be accep-
table and ufefnl.

' I don't think it needful to trouble the World with a
particular Account how I came firft to undertake it:
If 1 had thought that would have wanted an cxcufe, I
had nfever medled: And tbf reform fhall only fay, that
thinking I mightthis Way profitably employ forte Time
and Pains, I was willing to do what I could to make
mv Abridgement of genferal Ufe. In order to it, tho*
I ha^e endeavour'd to fay much in ai litde, yet 1 have
nor willingly omitted any Thing that I tho'i Material.
I have rcduc'd Thin'gs to that Method that appear 'd to

me

Ue PREFACE.

me moft proper. Perfonal Reflexions and little Priva-
cies I have dropt, and Things which were out of date I
have pafs'd over lightly. Sometimes I have kept pretty'
much to his Language, and fometimes 1 have taken the
freedom to ufe my own. I have divided the whole into
Chapters, and given Things a little Connexion:' And
perhaps have this way taken more Pains, than it needed
have coft me, had the Work been entirely new. Of my
Performance I muft be contented every one Ihould judge
according to their Pleafure; fori could expea no other,
whatfoever i might be able to fuggeft to befpeak their
Favour.

When Mr. Baxter in his Hiftory comes to the Ad of
Uniformity, he fubjoyns the Controverfie bet wen the
prefent Conformifts and Nonconformifts which takes up
Eleven Sheets. Inftcad of abridging that, I rather
had recourfe to his Nonconformity Stated and [^indicated^
in Quarto; which contains the Sum of his Thoughts
that are any where extant, upon the feveral Points in
Debate. 1 have reduc'd the fubftance of them with-
in the compafs of my Tenth Chapter^ which I have En-
tituled. The I{eaJons of the Ejected Miniflert for their
Nonconformity. And that that Title might be the better
anfwer'd, I have drawn in, what has been Written
upon the fame Argument by others, with references
to the feveral TraSs, where thofe Things of which I
have only given the general Heads, will be found con-
(ider'd diftindly and at large. The making this Ac-
count fuccind, clear, and methodical^ was a Work
of more than a little Time and Labour.

I have caft that Chapter into this Method. 1 have
firft given their Reafons why they could not comply
with the Demands of the A^ of Parlianncnt, in order to
the continuance of their publick Miniftry. Then
follows a brief Reprefentation of the Grounds upon \

which they f^ill held on in the Miniftry, though they i

parted with their Livings. I have added the Grounds >

upon which many People held chemfelves oblig'd to
adhere to them, while they continu'd their Miniftry;
how bo.th Minifters and People were defended from
the Charge of Schifra ; and upon what Grounds the
more Moderate among them yielded to Occafionnl Com-
mmiion with the Parilh Churches, even while they

a 4 kept.

The PREFACE.

kept up a ftaced Separation. And upcMi the whole I
thmk 1 may ventnre to fay, that he that will take the
Pains to perufe that Chapter, may at one view take
in the whole Caufe in debate, and fee the ftrengih of
the Argument, abftradted from perfonal Brangles and
Contefts, which as far as I can difcern, feldom contri-
bute eirher Light or Strength.

However, that Chapter having drawn me into a
Controverfie with Mr. Ollyffe and Mr. Hondly^ wh»
thought it neceffary to Vindicate thcmfelves, from
one who had not the leaft thought of affaulting them,
and was only Hiftorically relating the Sentiments of
others with their Reafons; and there having been fe-
veral Books publilh'd on each Side, which all have
not leifure to read diftindtly, and which few that do,
are able to retain afterwards ; I have taken the Pains
in this Second Edition, to give the fubftance of the
Arguments in this whole Controverfie on both Sides,
referring to the feveral Traces, where the Matters un-
der confideration may be feen more at large : And
though I don't fuppofe it eafie to fatisfie fome that they
are not mifreprefented, unlefs all their Words are given
at large, Cwhich quite excludes that compendious way
of confidering things, which to many is the moft agree-
able) yet I can fafcly fay there is not any Thing that
I have delignedly mifreprefented, nor is there any
Thing that appeared to me to be Material, that I can
remember I have wholly wav'd. My doing this has
confiderably enlarged that Chapter, but could 1 have
entertainM a Thought that the generality ot Rea-
ders would have thought that to be to their damage,
it might have favM me not a little Pains.

But if any fhoald think that Chapter dry or tedious^
it may perhaps make the other parts of the Volume re-
lilh the better, it having been my endeavour, fo to order
u, that there Ihonld be a convenient mixture of Hiftory
and Argument running through it: And as this has made
it the more agreeable to many, fo 1 have fome realon
ro think, thai: fome have been the more difgutted upon
that very Account. Belides the fummary of the main
Controverfie in the Tenth Chapter, there are feveral
conficlerable Points that are elfewhere canvafs'd, and
ififertcd in the moft proper Places in the Narrative.

As

The PREFACE.

As for Inftanee, A Debate concerning the Neceirity of
a clear and uninterrupted Succefllon in the Miniftry
which fome lay fuch a fttefs upon ; page 1 22, 113, (^c I
And another, about unwarrantable Impoficions, and
the true Senfe of thai celebrated Text, ^om, 14. i, x, 5.
pag. 166. The warrantablenefs, the prudence, and
the confequences of the Bartholomew Eje(^ion is freely
Debated, pag. 183, (^c: And the Account given of
the fevcral Attempcs in order to an accomiKodation of
the Difference, will appear to contain Argument to
convince, as well as Hiftory to inform, fuch as are
ftrangers to thefe Matters, but fo far unprejudic'd as
to be able to weigh Things with Candor and Impar-
tiality.

Mr. Baxters Hiftory proceeds no farther than the Year
1 684 : And therefore in my former Edition, befidts
additional Palfages caft all along into the Margin,
which I thought might not be difagreeable, I added a
continuation ; containing not only an Account of Mr.
Baxters Trial, that was never publifh'd before, (in
which I had the concurring Teftimony of feveral who
were at that Time prefent in the Court) but alfo the State
of the Dilfeoters in the Reign of King James^ and in
the firft Years of the Reign of King iVilliam and
Queen Mary^ And enter'd on the Debates that were
on Foot foon after our laft happy Revolution ; endea-
vouring to reprefent ihem with all pofTible fairnefs j
particularly that about a Comprehenfion , which the
Diflenters had at that Time fome realon to have ex-
pe(5ted ; nor were they wanting in any requifite or be-
coming ftep in order to it ; nor was it their fault that it
was not effe(5led. When fo fair an Opportunity will re-
turn again, God only knows.

In this Second Edition, befides feveral not inconfidc-
rable marginal Additions all along, by way of Confir-
mation and Elucidation; and an Account of feveral
controverfial Writings on both Sides, inferted in their
proper Places; and Remarks on thofe Paflages in the
TKird Volume of the CompUat Hijhry of England, in
Folio, which unkindly refled on the Perfons or Caufc
of the Nonconformifts, there is a continuation of the
Hiftory through King H^illiams Reign, and Queen
Anne's, down to the pafling the Occafional hiil ih*? laft

Year.

The P R B F A C E.

Year. Thcfe Additions make up a full Third Part of
the prefenC Volume. They contain among other
Things, fome Account of the Conceflions of the Ec-
clehartical Comroilfioners in 1689: The Carriage of the
Diflcnters after their Liberty, their Differences among
themfelves, and their Treatment from their Brethren
of the Church of England : The whole Controverfie
about Occdfional Conformity: The Differences of thofe
of the Eftablifh'd Church among themlelves, about the
Nature, Power, and Priviledges of Convocations, ^c;
with a faithf j] Reprcfentation of the fubftance of feve-
ral Trcatifes about Toleration^ Church Povper, Liberty,
and divers EcclcfiafticAl Matters^ that were publifh*d
from 1688 to 171 1. And in the clofe I have fubjoyn'd
the {{eformed Liturgy ^ which was drawn up and pre-
fented to the Bidiops in 1661; that the World may
judge how fairly the Eje(3:ed Minifters have been
often repreferited as irreconcileable Enemies to all Li-
turgies.

I am far from having any reafon to repent of my
publifhing the former Edition of this Work, noiwith-
ftanding all the angry Refledhons I have met with.
The repeated Thanks I have had from all Parts, from
Perfons of very different Charav5ters and Denominati-
ons, are to me more than a Compenfition for all the
Gall and Venom that others have pour'd forth fo plen-
tifully. I am far from expedting that this prefent Edi-
tion will be to the guft of fuch as were incens'd by the
former. But they may take their own Way ; i appeal
tQ Pofterity, for whom I have taken fome Pams : And
I hope they'l judge of Things more coolly, than the in-
flamed Age we Jive in.

I have indeed had my (hare of Reproach, and yet am

far from being difcourag'd. For fome Years, there

was fcarce a Pamphlet came out on the Church fide,

in which I had not the Honour of being referr'd to in

the invecf^ive Part of it: But the keen Edge of their

Authors fecm'd to have been fomewhat abated, upon

my taking no notice of their At-

* See dn Apology for the Church tacks,till a Writer who came out the

0/ England, (^c By John Lewis, laft Year * is pleas'd to difcover his

late of Exeter-ffl//<r(re in Oxford, fear leaft I fhould be fuffer'd to

«»</ Mifiifter of Margate. remtin quiet, by rcprcfenting me

The PREFACE.

4i one too much hyajTd, to have any Thing I fay, concerning
the Party I have ejpom'd^ believd on viy hnre IVord, This
is a flight that I muft confefs 1 little expeAed from
one of Mr. Lfww's Charaaer. Time has been when I
have had the happinefs of that Gentleman'i Conver-
fation, and his Difcourfe and Carriage was fuch as
made me apprehcnfivc he was delirous to have the
Credit of lingular Temper and Moderation. If my
Memory does not fail me, (and 1 believe 1 could pro-
duce the Hand of a Voucher that was an Ear Witnefs
if ii was needful) he was pleas d very generoufly to
give me Thanks for my Abridgement, Which way I
fiave incurr'd his Difpleafure fince, I am not aware.
However, if it may be any Satisfadiion to him, I
here give it him under my Hand, (and I'll certain-
ly ftand to it) that I have not half the Zeal for the
Piflenting Party, as fome he knows have for another
Party, that are too much for monopolizing the Cove*
nant Mercy of God, and the profitable Favour of Men,
to thofe of their own Stamp and Chara£ter only. And
that he mayn't be put upon believing this on my bare
PVord^ I can give him this Evidence of it ; that I would
go much further in parting with the known Faults,
and Infirmities and Imperfeftions of the Diflenten,
than the G.entlemen I refer to, would with the Difor-
ders and Irregularities of the Party they have fallen
in with, which when they have done their beft, they
cannot juftifie or excufe.

I would gladly .have fo ordred Matters, as that they
that had purchased the former Edition, might have
had the prefent Additions by themfclves : But the
Nature of the Work would not bear it. However,
I can now undertake that in any future Editions,
care ihall be taken to prevent any Complaints of
detriment in that Refped. I have made fomc
Alterations in the Courfe of this Work at the de-
fire of Friends, and fometimes have had the be-
nefit of help from my Enemies, whom I can at
any time thank for what Light they help me to,
while I heartily pity them for their Heat and
Bigotry.

I have nothing to add, but this, as before, that
if I have mifs'd of Truth in any 'Point, it has been

Ue PREFACE.

unwillingly, and upon better Information I ihall be
ready to own my Error. I have not been free in
Perfonal Reflcdions, which are made with much
more eafe than they are born when returned. Va-
rious Cenfures will not furprize me, nor will any
flarts of Wit affect me. Tis enough for me , if I
may have the Approbation cf Men of Temper,
I defirc not to offend any ; For I know not the Man,
much lefs the Patcy, to whom I bear any Enmity or
ill Will.

^TTT

Poft-

Poftfcripr.

THERE being fome who may be willing to
fearch into the bottom of that Coniroverfie
that hath been depending ever (incc the Rcfor-
noation, between the Affertors of the Perfection of the
Eftablifh'd Church, and thofe who have adled upon
the oppofite Principle, of the Neceflity of a further Re-
formation, in order to an happy Settlement ; I have
been defir*d in order to their Satisfadiion, to point out
the Writings, which may be judg'd to Contain the
ftrength of the Caufe of the DifTenters. In compli-
ance with which defire, I recommend the following
Writings to the perufal of the Curious, who arc, with-
out taking Things upon Truft, for feeing with theit
own Eyes.

A part of a ^gifter; containing fundry mennorablc
Matters, written by divers Godly and Learned in our
Time, which ftand for, and defire the Reformation of
our Church in Difcipline and Ceremonies, • according
to the pure Word of God, and the Law of our Land>
0(ftavo.

De Polheia^ EcclefjafticS Chrifti, & Hierarchicha Oppo-
Jita, Libri Tres : Authore Roberto Parkcro Anglo, ad
B^gnum Dei doEliUimo, An. Dom. 1 6xi. in Quarto.

A Scholaftical Difcourfe againft Symbolizing with
Antichrift in Ceremonies, efpecially in the Sign of the
Crofs. An, 1607. in Fol.

Concerning this Book fee Ames's frelh Suit, p,^i,

DidocUvii Alt are Damafcenum, Quarto. 1623.

Dav. Blondelli Apologia pro Sententia Hieronymi de Eplf-
copis ^ Presbyteris, Amftel. 1646. Quarto.

Ames*s frelh Suit againft Ceremonies, Quartoi 16^'

Giltejpys Difpute againft Englifhy Popi/h Ceremonies,
8cc. Quarto, 1637.

SmeHymnuui, Quarto. 1 640. The Firft and Second Part.

The Papers that pafs'd in the Conference ar the Savoy
in 1661, which were Printed fiift in Quarto, a little af-
ter

POSTSCRIPT.

ter the ending of the Conference ; and afterwards raore
at large in Mr. Baxter's Life in Folio, and are here
Abridg'd.

Biihoip Stilling fleet* shenicum, Quarto. 1662.

Mr. Cor^e/'s Remains, Quarto. 1684.

Mr. Baxter's Englifh Nonconformity, as under King
CbarlesW. and King James II, truly Stated and Argu'd,
Qparto. 1690,

Mr. Ton^s Defence of Mr. Hemys brief Enquiry into
che Nature of Scbifm, Quarto. 1 6^'^,

Vindicia Fratrum Dejftntientium in Anglia, Adverfus
KC/. Guliclmi Nicholfii, S.T.P. Defenfionem Ecclejj<e
Anglican^e ; AuHore Jacobo Peircio Presbyter 0, O^fiavo.
1710.

He that will be at the Pains to perufc thefe feveral
Writings, will find that the Diffenters have much to fay
in their own Defence, and little reafon to be troubie-
fome to the World by repeating their Pleas, as often as
fucb as iove Contention, think fit to renew the Charges
that have been fo oft brought againfl them, and as often
anfwer'd. What were this but to perpetuate a Difpute,
the accommodating which by an amicable Agreement,
would be more for dor Intereft and Safety, Peace and
Co/nfort on all Hands.

THE

THE

CONTENTS

O F T H I S

VOLUME.

CHAP. I. Mr. Baxter'/ B'rtb and Educntion,
early Serioufnejs j and entrance into the Mini-
flryi page, I.

CHAP. II. Hk firfl Sentiments concerning Conformity.
His acceptance in hii firjl Minijlerial Labours ; and the
Difficulties he met with : His Settlement at Kedermin-
ftcr. p. 1 1.

CHAP, III. The Oppojftion he at fir ft met with in that
Town, His indefatigable Labours^ and the admirable
efficacy of his Miniftry in that Place, p. 12.

CHAP. IV. The I{ife and Springs of the Civil fVar,
Some brief touches of the Hiftory of the Times^ tiS the
cutting off the King, p. 37.

C H A P. V. I{efleHions on public^ TranfaSlions from
the Death of Kjng Charles I, to the I{eJiauraticncfKjng
Charles II. P- ^i•

C H A P. VI. Mr, Baxter*; ConduB of himjelf during
thefe publicly Commotions and frequent Alterations, Bis
Behaviour in the Army, and towards Ciomwel. Hk
trouble from the SeBaries of thofe Times ; with an Ac-
count of their I^fe and Prevalence ^ Principles and Pra-
Biees, P- 74-

CHAP. VII. His general Vfefulnefs in the whole Coun-
ty, while he remain d in WorcefterOiire. Hk publicly
Service by hit pacificatory Endeavours, and other PVays,

p. III.

CHAP. VIII. The TranfaBions in Order to the healing
pafid Breaches after King Charles'; t(eftauration. The
^ayoy Conference^ and its fruit Icfi Jjfuc, p. i39-

L/ rl i» 1 •

The CONTENTS.

CHAP. IX. The AH of Vniformity, and B^efleaions
upon it ; And the ejeHing and filencing of many worthy
Perfons by it. page i8i.

CHAP. X. The Grounds of the Nonconformity of
the Minifters who were EjeHed, Their Vindication of
themfelvej, and fuch oi adher'*d to them. p* I9S«

CHAP. XI. Mr. Baxter'^ Settlement in London.

The Occafion of his Separation from his beloved People at

' Kederroinftcr. His Carriage to them after he left them,

Hk Labour i in London till he woijllencd. p. 294:

CHAP. XII. Hu own and hi Brethrens Treatment af^
ter their EjeHion^ tiS the Indulgence in 167;. p. 304.

CHAP. XIII. An Account of their Cafe^ from the
time of the Indulgence in 1671, till the Death of Kjng
Charles II. p* 334•-

C H A P. XIV. Their Cafe in the B^eign of Kjng
James II. p. 366.

CHAP. XV. Mr. Baxter'j Manifold Temptations,
His Improvements and Alterations as he advanced inTears,
Hh Deliverances and Supports. Hvs Inil Sickpefs and
Death : And Intereft in Men of Note and Figure in the
Days he liv din, . P* 39o*

CHAP. XVI. m H^orks and Writings. p. 41 o.

CHAP. XVIL The Cafe of the Diffenters and their
Treatment^ and the new State of Things, in the begin"
ning of the I{eign of 1{ing William and Queen MsLiy,

p. 421.

CHAP. XVIII. The Cafe of the Diffenters^ and other
Ecclefiafiieal Matters in the following Tears of the I{eign
of Kl"S William; p. 484.

CHAP. XIX. An Account of the Cafe of the Dijfenters^
and of other material Incidents in the ^eigh of Queen
Anne, tiS the paffing the BiU againfl Occafional Con-
formity, /» 1 7 1 1 . p. 4zo.'

THE

THE

LIFE

O F T H E

REVEREND

Mr. Richard Baxter.

CHAP. r.

His Birth and Education^ Early Serioufnefs^
and Entrance into the Miniflry,

FAR the Greater Number of thofe who have
bin fent to k(St a Part on the State of this
Lower World, have either pafsM off filently,
or mifemploy'd their Activity ; fo that their
Names are either bury'd in Oblivion, or ftigmatiz'd,
to the Warning and Terrour of Pofterity. Among
fuch as have made the greatcft Figure while Living, or
bin moft applauded after their Deceafe, many have
ow'd their Diftinguifli'd Reputation^ to the Stock that
JDore them, to their Peculiar outward Helps and Ad-
vantages, or to certain Accidental Hits, that are not
to be accounted for : While in the mean time, there
have in all Ages bin fome few others, who have bin
fignaliz'd by their Remarkable Endowments, and ex-
traordinary Adions^ the Fame of yvhich hath long

B furviv'd

The LIFE of Chap. L

farviv'd them, and given a Luftre to their Names in
The Annals of Time. Such have bin their MerirSj
that they have broke thro* all thofe Clouds which En-
vy and Malice have rais'd to obfcure them. So Great
Bieirings have they prov'd ro the World, that Attempts
to detracfl fi om them, have recoil'd upon the Affailants
to their own Infamy.

Under the Great Degeneracy of ..the Prefent Age,
which is the Matter ot fo juft Complaint, we have
had feme Inftances of this kind. Mr. Pjchard Baxter
(the Subjedt of the Enfuing Hiftory) cannot be de-
ny'd to be one of the Number. His Soul was too
Grear for an Ufelefs and Unacftive Life, and his Piety
and Integrity too Confpicuous for him lo be juftly
Charg'd with perverting his Uncommon Abilities, or
mifemploying his Confiderabic Inrereft. His Rife was
mean, and his Defcent obfcure; he had no external
Advantages to raife and diftinguifli him, but as many
Difficulties to break through as moft Men, and yet
hath his Perfonal Merit advanc'd his Reputation to that
height, that it will outlive the Calumnies of ail his De-
tratf^ors.
His Birth. . He was a Native of Shropfhire, His Father was a
Freeholder of that County, who made no great Fi-
gure His Eftate was but fmall; and fo encumbred
with Debts, as not to be clear'd without much Thrift
and Good Husbandry. His Mother was of the fame
County ; being the Daughter of Mr. ^chard Adeney
of I{owto7?^ near High Ercal^ the Seat; of the Lord
Ncvpjfort. There was he born, November the nth.

1 615, and there he fpent his
Vr. Bues declares in his Sermon Infancy, which was fo remark-
et his funeral. That he had receird able in nothing as in the Difco-

this Teliimony conccrninx his Early ygj.y ^f ^ ^IQUS IncHnation,

T^cty. H'.s Father faid v^ith Tears ^vhich gave great Hopes to fuch
fJrl /'/ ! \ ^]r T t' as obfeiv'd him. When he waa

cnard / ir>pe w.^s SanUihd from , vr r a 1.

the Womb; Tor ^hen he i^ I lit^ ^^^^"^ J5 ^eatS of Age, hc WRS

lie Boy in Coats, if he heard other taken Home by his Parents to

children in Tlay fpeaJc Frofane ^^^^« Connantine , ( a Vlilag^e
Words, he vffouU reprove them, to aboUt 5 Miles fronj ^hrovosbury)

f he Tponda of thtm that heard him. where he paft away his Child-
hood and Youth, which upon
Refledtion, he according to the Wife Man's Ccijf»Jr«p
found to be Vanity. Hc

Chap. I. Mr, Elichard Baxter.

He was unhappy in his Edocadon, with Refped h/j eJw
Loch CO Learning and Piety. His Sahoolniafters wete/'^f'^^-
both Lewd anJ Ignorant. For wane of better Inftru-
aers, he fell into the Hands of the Readers of the Vil-
lages he livM in. Learning was at no great height in fo
remote a Corner of the Land: Neither could much Im-
provement be expe(fle4 in fo Barren a Soil. His Greac-
eft Help in Granvper Learning was from Mr.John O^en^
Mafter of the Free-School at ^Vroxeter, with whom he
continu'dj 'till he had bin fome time Captain of his
School ; and advanc d as far as his Aififtance would for-
ward him.

He had not afterwards the Advantage of an Aca-
demical Education, and yet, (to ufe the Words of the
Reverend Dr. Bates) by the Divine BleiTing upon his
rare Dexterity and Diligence, his Sacred Knowledge
was in that Decree of Eminence, as few in the Uni-
veriity ever arrive to. None could be more Deiirous
of Academical Helps than he ; but he was depriv'd of
them by a Propofal of his SchooImafter*s, much to his
Sorrow. When he was leaving his School, Mr. Owen
(as may well be fuppos'd out of real Kindnefs) moti-
on d his Living with Mr. Rjcknrd J4^ickjlead^ Chaplain
to the Council at Ludlow^ who had allowance from the
King for one to attend him. There being no others
under his Care, he reprefented this as likely to Jdc
more Advantageous than a Tutor in the Univerfity.
This Motion eaiily took with his Parents, who were
much better pleas'd with the Tho'ts of having their
Son fo near them, than at a much greater Diftance,
and they Toon embrac'd it. Bjc it anfwer'd ncD Ex-
pedacion. For Mr. H^ick^end himfelf was no Great
Scholar, and he took no trains with his Pupil, tho' he
Wasotherwife very kind to him. So that his only Ad-
vantage by Living with him, was in the free ufe of
his Library, which was open to him : And he having
time eno' for Study, improv'd that Priviledge to his
utmoft. After he had fpent a Year and half with him,
he return d home to his Father ; and foon after, at the
Lord Newpons Requeft, fupply'd the Place of his
Schoolmafter Mr. John Ovoen for a few Months, while
he was wafting away in a Confumption, of which he

B % Intend^

4 The LIFE of Chap. I.

Intending for the Miniftry, he was earneftly Defirous
of that Knowledge that was necelTary to qualify him
for it. Being difappointed in his Hopes of going to
the Univerfity, he apply 'd himfelf lo a clofe Courfe of
Study, under the Condudt of Mr. Francis Garbett^ (a
Perfon of Great Note and Worth, then Minifter of
TVroxeter) and with his Afliftance he run thro* a Courfe
of Philofophy. Great was his Induftry ; and nothing
troubled him fo much, as the Hindrance he receiv a
from his Bodily Indifpofuion, which was very confide-
rable. He endeavoured to manage his Studies in a Sub-
ordination to Divinity, and was aflifted by the Advice
of feveral Neighbouring Minifters, with whofe Help
he was making an Hopeful Progrefs, 'till a New Moti-
on was made that bid fair for enfnaring him, and had
hke to have turn'd his tho'tsinto a quite Different Chan-
nel, to the unfpeakable Damage of himfelf and others.
But the Purpofe of God [haU ftand.
JL Great When he was about 1 8 Years of Age, Mr. H^tckjlead
Snare e- perfwaded him to forbear further tho*ts of the Mini-
fcap'd. ftry, to leave the Country for the Court, and to make
an Intereft for foire Office there, by which he might
have an Opportunity of rifing in the World, and be-
coming Great and Confiderable. The thing was Plea-
fing to his Parents, and upon their Inftigation he came
up to White-Hall, being recommended to Sir Henry
Herbert^ who was then Mafter of the Revels. He was
courteoufly receiv'd, and kindly entertain'd, but found
. nothing taking in a Court Life ; fo far from it, that he
was daily entertained with what made him very uneafy;
Whereupon, after a Month's ftav, he return'd down in-
to the Country, reaffnm'd his Former Purpofes, and
apply'd himfelf to his Studies with frefli Vigour ; being
more Indefatigable in the Purfuit of Knowledge than
can eafily be imagind ; 'till at length upon the Earneft
Solicitation of Mr. F{ichnrd Foley of Stourbridge, he ac-
cepted of the Mafterfhip of a Free-School he had lately
^ ered^ed at Dudley, having an Ufher under him. And
by this time God had fitted him for Great Service in
His Church, by bringing him to more than Ordinary
Serioufnefs, the Means and Methods whereof defer ve
particular Obfervation.

The

- — — — - ■ ■ — - — -r » I ,

Chap. I. Mr. Richard Baxter. 5

The Country he liv'd in had very Jittle Preaching.
The Clergy of thofe Parts were (generally fpeaking)
Lazy and Vitious. Some by forging Orders, had
compafsM a Tranflation even from the Stage to the
PuJpit. With Amazement be it mentiond, feveral
in that Neighbourhood of the facred Minifteriai Fun-
<Slion, were more Noted for their Gaming and Drink-
ing, than either their Good Preaching or Good Living.
There were not above three or four competent Preach-
ers all round the Country, and tho' all except one
were Conformable, they were Derided by the Com-
mon People as Puritans, becaufe not fo carelefs as their
Neighbours. In a Word ; there was fcarce the Face
almoft of Religion left. In the Village he liv'd in, not
X Sermon was to be heard from Year to Year. And
the Service was run over very Curforily and Irreve-
rently ,• and when that was done, the reft of the
Lord's Day was profanely fpent by the whole Town in
Dancing under a May-Pole, and a Great Tree. In
thefe Circumftances, 'tis amazing he did not fwim
with the Stream. He hath indeed himfelf acknow-
ledg'd, That the Univerfality of the Corruption did
fometimes prove a Confiderable Temptation to him,
but the Goodnefs of God preferv'd him. His Father's
Good Inftrudtions and Example were lingularly helpful
to him, under all thefe Difadvanrages. The time that 7-/,^ Benefit
others fpent in Dancing, his Father employ'd in Read* f,, nceird
ing and Praying in his Family, and recommending an j^om a Pi-
Holy Life. He put him upon a careful Reading the o«* Educn-
Hiftorical Part of Scripture, which being Delightful tion.
to him, made him in Love with the Bible : And his
Serious Speeches of God and the Life to come, poflefs'd
him with a Fenr of Sinning; So that He became the
firft Inftrument of his Hearty Approbation cf an Holy
Life. He found his Father reproach'd for his Singula-
rity, and that much afFedted him. The Profane Crew
derided him as a Puritan, Becaufe not fo Loofe and
Carelefs as they ; which mov'd his Indignation. At
firft indeed, hearing the Generality fpeak fcornfully of
Puritans, he was apt to think there was Ground for
it : Why elfe Ihould there be fo common a Confent in
the Cry that was againft them? And he was too unac-
quainted with theic Principles or Pradices to be able to

B 3 defend

,5 The LIFE of Chap. I.

defend them. But when he obferv*d his own Father,
of whofe fincere Piety he had (o good Evidence, bran-
ded with that Name as a Reproach, by a fottifli
Drunken fort of People, he caine to difcern that Piety
was the Ground of that General Obloquy. For his
Father never fcrupled Common-Prayer or Ceremonies,
nor ever fpake againft Bifhops, nor lo much as Pray'd but
by a Book or Form : And yet being zealous for Piety
and Sobriety, Reproving Drunkards and Swearers, and
intermixing now and then in his Converfarion fome ie-
rious Dilcourfe concerning Scripture and the Life to
come, he was re^ilM ty the Name of Puritan, Precifian
and Hypocrite; and it was the like with fuch Pious
Conformable Minifters too, as the Country afforded,
This Obfervation made him loath the Company of thefe
Scoffers^ and love Religion the better.
r/;<r Irre^U' Many Ways however did his Corruption break
iaritles of forth in his Childhood. He was addicted to Lying for
his cbi/d' f-ar of Corre61:'ion. He joyn'd fometimes with other
hfjvci. Naughty Boys in Robbing Neighbours Orchards of

their Fruit, when he had eno* at home. He was
much encJin'd to Play, and that with Covetoufnefs
for Money. He was bewitcVd with a Love of Ro-
mances and Idle Tales; and tho* he durft not Swear,
yer was he fometirries drawn to imitate other Children
in fcurrilous and foolifh "Words and Actions. He was
too Proud of his feveral Schoolmafters Commendations
for his Learning ; and too Bold and Irreverent towards
his Parents. Which things he could not in his advan^
ced Years refledl on, without Hearty Concern, Regret,
and Sorrow.
TheMtam Bbt about the 14th Year of his Age, being under
Qj iHs Con forng more than ufual Convidtions of Sin, after his ha-
rerjiou. ^'^^^ robbM a Kfeig'h hour's Orchard, it plcasM God he
mcrt with ParJoTis of I{cfnlution^ (as Corrtdled by Bumiy)
irt the reading of which fuch Impreflions were made
Upon his Spirit, as never wore off to the Day ef his
Death. Noiy it was that God tbro'ly awakcn'd his
Soul, and (hew'd him the Folly of Sinning, and the
Miiery of the Wicked, the inexprefljble "VVeight of
Thing"; Eternal, and the nectflity of refolving on an
Holy Life rhoie than ever before. He had often for-
merly had thb'ts df this kind Stirring in his Mind, bat

now

chap. L Mr. Pvichard Baxter.

rtow they catTiei in another manner, with Senfe and
Power anci Serioufnefs to his Heart. This caft him in-
to Fears about his Condition, and they drove him to
Cordial Contrition, ConfefTion and Prayer; and ifla'd
ihaferious Refolution of altering his Courfe. Meet-
ing afterwards with Dr. Sibbs'j hruifed /^e^.V, he found
it dpen'd more of the Love of God to him, and gave
him a Hvelver Apprehenfionthan he had before, of the
Myfteryof Redemption, and convinc'dhim more than
ever, how much he was beholden to Jefus Chrift. By
the reading alfo of Mr, Perkins of B^pentancc^ and of
7he Art ^f Living ajid Dying voell^ and fome other of
his Treatifes, he was further informed and con-
firmM.

Some time after, being in Expedlation of Death, by Uh sphi-
a Violent Cough, with Spitting of Blood, of i Years ^^^^^ Ttow
Continuance, he was av/aken*d to be yet more ferious ^^^ ^f^^^'
and folicitous about the Everlafting Eftate of his Soul. *^'*''^^*
He apprehended himfelf to fall fo fhort of that Sence
and Serioufnefs which a Matter of that infinite weight
required, that he was long in Doubt about his Sinceri-
"ty, and fearful that he was yet a Stranger to the true
Spiritual and Divine Life. He wondred at himfelf,
that he could think and talk of Sin and Hell, of Chri(t
and Grace, of God and Heaven, with no more feeling.
He cry'd to God from Day to Day, againft this Dead-
ncls, and all his Groans were for more Contrition, and .
a tender Heart. And between the Expedations of
Death, and his Doubts of his own Sincerity in Grace,
he was kept in more Care concerning his Salvation,
than one of his Natural Temper could (in his own E-
fteem) have otherwife bin bro't to. The reading of
Mr. Ezek. Culverwel of Faith at this time gave him
much Relief. But tho' he had now and then certain
glimmerings of Hope and Comfort, yet did his Fears
often return again. And long was he kept with the
Calls of Approaching Death as it were at one Ear, and
the Queftionings of a Doubtful Confcience at the
other.

This Method which it pleafed God to take with Ue Benefit
him, he often admir'd ; and many were the Benefits of that Ex-
which he apprehended he receiv'd from it. According cn'ife.
e© his own Account, this kept hini Humble, and

~ B 4 made

8 The LIFE of Chap. I.

made Pride one of the hacefulleft Sins in the WoiW to
him. It rcftrainM him from the Sportful Levity and
Vanity to which Nature and Youth enclin'd him;
and caus'd him to meet Temptations to Senfuality with
the grcateft Fear. It made him the better ReliHi the
Docflrine of Redemption, and rendred his tho'ts of
Chrift the more ferious and affediing. It made the
VVorld fcem to him as a Catkafs, without either Life
or Lovclinefs. It fet him upon the moft Advantage-
ous Method of Study. It caus'd him firft to feek God's
Kingdom and his Righteoufnefs ; and moft to mind
the one Thing needful : To determine tirft his Ultimate
End; by which he was engag* d to choofe and profe-
cute all other Studies but as means to that End : And
therefore he ftudy'd Pradtical Divinity firft, in the moft
Pradiical Books, and in a Pradiical Order, aiming in
all Primarily at the Informing and Reforming of his
own Soul. So that he had read over and digefted all
the Pra£lical Treatifes he could meet with, before he
meddled with any confiderable Body of Divinity. By
which means his AfFed:ions were carry'd on with his
Judgment, and he profecuted all his Studies with Un-
weariednefs and Delight.
The The Chief Grounds of his Doubts concerning his

Grounds o/Salvation were thefe. Becaufe he could not diftin(^ly
his Doubts trace the Workings of the Divine Spirit on his Heart,
and Pears, in the Method which Bolton, and Hooker., and I^^^gerj^
and many other Divines defcribe; or poflltively Aflign
the particular inftant of his Converfion. Becaufe of
* his want of fuch lively Apprehenfions of Things Spiri-
tual, as he had of Things Corporeal. Becaufe he had
at certain Seafons bin under warm Convidtions even
from his Childhood, and had often obferv'd more of
Fear than Love in his Duties and ReAraints. Becaufe
his Grief and Humiliation was not greater and deeper;
and above all , becaufe of his having Sinn'd delibe-
rately and knowingly, afcer his apprehended Change,
But Converfe with Confolatory Books, the Obfer-
vation of other Chri/lians, clofe Confideration, and
further Experience, by dcgrpe^ fatisfy'J and quieted
him;

Chap. 1. Mr. Richard Baxter.

For upon further fearch, he found that the firft De- The Meam jj
gre^ of Special Grace was ufually very fmall, and of hu Sa- ^

therefore not eafily diftinguiOiable in the feafofi of its tUfaWoH.
firft Prevalence from Preparatory Grace : That a Soul
in Flelh doth work fo much after the manner of the
Flefh, that it much delireth fenfible Apprehenfions ;
but Things Spiritual and Diftant are not fo apt to work
upon it, and to ftir the Paffions, as Things prefent and
fenfible : That Education is God's ordinary way for
the Conveyance of his Grace, and ought no more to
be fet in oppofition to the Spirit, than even the Preach- J

ing of the Word, or any other appointed Means, on "

which his Bleffing might be expeded : That tho' Fear
without Love be not a ftate of Saving Grace, yet that
Fear being the eafier, and more irrefiftible Paffion of the
two, doth oft hinder that Meafure of Love that is true,
from being Difcernable ; And that he who had rather
leave his Sin than have leave to keep it, and had rather «

be the moft Holy, than have leave to be Unholy, or lefs '

Holy, is neither without true Repentance nor the Love
of God.

But that which moft perplexM him, and which ere- of sinn'mr
ated him the Greateft Difficulty, was the finding him- after Con-
felf Guilty of known and deliberate Sin, after that he verfion. .
had tho't himfelf Convened : This he for a long time
could not tell how to Reconcile with true Grace. E-
very known Sin he committed, in this refpedl, re-
newed his Doubt. He could not fall in with thofe,
who reckon that every Sin againft Knowledge nullifies
former Grace ; and that every renew'd Ad: of Repea-
tance, is attended with a New Regeneration : For this
he tho't would be to feek to folve one Difticulty, by in-
troducing another that is Greater. At length he fix'd
on this Scheme of Tho'ts, which gave him Satisfadion.
That all faving Grace doth indeed put the Soul into
a ftate of Enmity to Sin as Sin, and confequently to
every known Sin : That this Enmity muft flicw itfelf
in Vidiory, for bare Striving is not a full Evidence of
Sincerity : That this Vidory however is not conftant,
for then the Upright would not Sin at all; whereas,
He that faith he hath no Sin, deceive tb himfelf: .But
that the Children of God neverthelefs do always over-
come thofe Temptations, which would draw them to

a

lo The LILE of Ch4p. I.

a wicked unholy State of Life, or to any particuUr Sin
which proveth fucb a State, and fignifieih a Heart
which 'hath more Habitual Love to the World than
unto God j And therefore, tho' in the moft Upright/
Temptations of a lower Son do often prevail, yet is tht
Inclination of the Soul ftill tnoft to God : And this is,
very pcflible, even ahho* Sin be corhmitted with fome
Deliberation. For as Grace may ftrive one Inftant only
in one A£t, and then be fuddenly overcome ; fo it
may firive longer, and keep the Mirtd en the Cbrifii
deration of reltraining Motives, and yet be overcome?:
For it is not the meer Length of Confideration which
is eno' to fence the Heart againH Sin, but there muft
be clearnefs of Light, and Livelincfs in thofe Con{i-
derations ; which the Beft have x\6i always Expcrienc^e
of. And tho' a little Sin muft, be hated, and Uni-;
verfal Obedience muft prove our Sincerity, and no one
Sin muft be wilfully continu'd in, yet is it cer/ain
that the Servants of God do not often commit Sins
ttiaterially Great and Heinous, and yet that they oft^n
do commit fome leifer Sins, (as idle Tho'ts and Words,
and Dulnefs in Holy Duties, C^c.) and that the Tehi-
ptcr oft getterh Advantage even with them, by telling
them. That the Sin is fmall, and fuch as God's Ser-
vants ordinarily commit. And therefore one Reafon
why Idle Words and Sinful Tho'ts are even delibei^=.*
ateJy oftner committed than mrtft heinous Sins, is'be-
caufe the Soul is not awakenM to much by Feitt and
Care to make Reiiftance. Pious Perfbns howevet, be-
ing Men commonly of the itioft Knowledge in Divine
Things, do therefore when they are drawn into Sin,
ordinarily Sin againft mote Knowledge than others.
Withall, there are fome Sin^ fo difficult to avoid, ind
{ome Temptations fo ftrong, and the Soul at fome Sea-
fons is fo fluggifti, and fo indifpos'd to the neccflary
Refiftance, that good Tho'ts, which are delibctatcly
usM againft them, are at laft born down, and lefs ef-
fectual. And as for our Prefent Stock of Habitual
Grace, 'tis never fufficient 6f it felf, without Co-ope-
rating Grace from Chrift : And therefore, when we
provoke him to withdraw his Help, 'tis no wonder if
we difcovcr our Wcaknefs, altho' we don't turn back,
and go again from God to the Wovld, But yet,

whcD.

Chap, I. Mr. Richard Bixcer. H

N)vhcn ever Perfons thus difpos'd do fall into Sin, they
recover again by Repentance ; and the New Nature or
Habit of Divine Love within them, will work out
the Sin as foon as it hath Advantage. Tho* in the
mean Time, 'tis not at all to be wondred at, that fich
a Thing as Sin Ihould breed Fears and Uneafinefs.
And the beft Way, when all is done, to keep under
Doubts and Fears, and maintaio Comfort, is to keep
up Adtual Obedience, and quickly and penitently re-
turn after Sin is committed.

Such as thefe were the Confiderations by which he
was relieved and quieted. And it much encreas'd his
Peace to find others in the like Condition : He found
his Cafe had nothing Singular ; being call'd by the
Providence of God to the Comforting of others, who
had the fame Complaints. While he anfwer*d their
Doubts, he anfwer'd bis own ; and the Charity he
was conftrain*d to exercife towards them, redounded
to himfelf, and infenfibly abated his Difturbance. And
yet, after alJ, he was glad of Probability inftead of
undoubted Certainty. And for the greateft Part of
his Life, tho' he had no fuch Degree of Doubtfulnefs
as was any great Trouble to his Spirit, or procar'd any
finking difquieting Fears, yet he could not fa/ that
he had fuch a Certainty of his own Sincerity in
Grace, as excluded all Doubts and Fears to the con-
trary.

' From the Age of xi, 'till near 13, his Weaknefs His En-
was fo great, that he hardly tho't it pofHble he (hould trance upon
live above a Year. And finding his own Soul under ff^e Mini*
ferious Apprehenlions of the Matters of another A>
World, he was very defirous to communicate ihofe
Apprehenlions to fuch ignorant carelefs prefumptuous
Sinners as the World abounds with. Altho* there-
fore he had his Difcouragements, thro' his Senfe of the
Greatnefs and Av/fuln^fs of the Work of the Mirtiftry,
and his Fear of expofing himfelf to the Cenfure of ma-
ny, on the Account of his wanting Academical Edu-
cation, Honour and Dignities ; yet expeding to be fo
quickly in another World, the great Concernments of
piiferable Souls prevail'd with him to engage in it ;
and finding in himfelf a thirty Defire of Mens Con-
yerfion and Salvation, and a competent perfwading
- ' Faculty.

12 The LI F E of Chap. II.

Faculty of ExprelTion, which fervent AfFedlions might
help to Adluacc, he concluded, that if but one or two
Souls might by his Means be won to God, it would
eafily recompence any Treatment he might meet with
in the World. And as for his Fitnefs in Point of
Learning, he determined to fubmit himfelf to the
Judgment of others. And accordingly he applyM him-
felf to the Bifliop of fVorcefler-, who after Examination,
Ordain'd him, and at the fame Time gave him a Li-
cenfe to teach School at Dudley ; the PJace which his
Friend Mr. Foley had provided for him.

CHAP. IL

Hif Firji Sentiments concermfjg Conforwity,
His Acceptance in bis firfl Minijierial La-
hoHrs ; and the Difftculties he tnet with :
His Settlement at Kedcrminfter.

Hh Firfi- TN his Younger Years he was troubled with no

Thots oft Scruples about Conformity. He joynd in the

the Contro- -■- Commo7i- Prayer with as hearty Fervency as he af-

yerfy be- terwards did in any other Prnyers. As for the Non-

trifeen the conformifts, he heard them generally run down, and

on °''"^- reprefen'^ed as an Unreafonable, Heady fort of People ;

l^n'-on- ^"'^ therefore, iho' he was perfonally acquainted with

fomiifts. "f^n^ ^f them, he was as forward as others to Cenfure

and Condemn them. But when he was about Twenty

Years of Age, he became acquainted with Mr. 5/w-

monds^ Mr. Cradocl{^ and other Pious Nonconformifts

in and about Shrcvosbury^ whofe fervent Prayers and

Holy Lives and Converfations he found much to his

Edification. Obferving fuch Perfons as tbefe filenc'd

and troubl'd by the Bilhops, be was much afFc(5led,

and refolv'd carefully to ftudy the Caufe in Debate

between them. Confuking the Neighbouring Mini-

fters, they furnifli'd him with Oovonhnrn^ Sprint^ and

Dr. Bur^efjy who had written for Conformity, whom

he carefully read over : But they could help him to

none on the other Side, who were reprcfcnted as mean

Scholars^

Chap. II. Mr. Richard Baxter. 1 5

Scholars, and Men of little Learning. Whereupon,
he concluded the Caufe of the Conformifis jaflifiablel
and the Reafoning of the 'Nonconformifls weak. And
therefore, tho* he had not diftindly at that Time
weigh'd Particulars, having never read over the Book
concerning Ordination^ nor half the Book of Homilies^
nor fcann'd the Book of Comjyion-Prayer with any ex-
adnefs, nor confider'd duly fome controverted Points
in the Nine and Thirty Articles ; yet his Teachers
and Books having caus'd him in the general to think
the Conformifts had the better Caufe, he kept out all
particular Scruples by that Opinion, and fo fubfcrib'd
as ufually at the Time of his Ordination.

But being fettled at Dudley, Preaching frequently W's fur-
both in the Town and the Neighbouring Villages, he thet Study
had Occafion and Opportunity to ftudy thefe Matters *"S ''''**
more particularly. For he there fell into the Acquain- ^*«^*'<^<''/7-
tance of feveral Nonconformifts, whom he apprehend-
ed too Cenforious and Bitter in their Inve£lives againft
Conformity, while yet he found them Honeft and
Godly People. They fupply'd him with feveral Wri-
tings on their own Side, and among the reft, with
Ames's frejh Suit againft Ceremonies^ which he read
over very diftin^ly, comparing it with Dr, BurgefsV
^ejoynder. And upon the Whole, he at that Time came *
to thefe Conclufions. Kjieeling he tho't lawful, and
all meer Circumftances determined by the Magiftrate,
which God in Nature or Scripture hath determin'd of
only in the general. The Surplice he more doubted
of, but was enclin'd to think it Lawful : And tho' he
intended to forbear it 'till under NecefTuy, yet he
could not fee how he could have juftified the forfaking
his Miniftry meerly on that Account; tho' he never
adiually wore it. About the I{ing in Marriage, he
had no Scruple. The Crofj in Baptifm, he tho't Dr.
jtmes prov*d unlawful : And tho* he was not without
fome Doubting in the Point, yet becaufe he moft en-
clin'd to judge it unlawful, he never once us*d it. A
Form of Prttysr and Liturgy he judged to be Lawful,
arid in fome Cafes lawfully impos'd. The Etj^Iif? Li-
turgy in particular, he judged to have much Diforder
and Defedlivenefs in it, but nothing which fhouli
trake the Ufe 'of it in the Ordinary Publick Worlhip,

10

14 The LI FE of Chap. II.

to be unlawful to them who could not do better. He
fought for DifcipUne in the Church, and faw the fad
Efled:s of its Ncglecft, but he was not then fo fenfible
as afterwards, that the very Frame of Diocefan Pre-
lacy excluded It ; but tho't it had bin Chargeable on-
ly on the Pejfonal Ncgle£ls of the Bifhops. Suhfcrip"
tion he began to think unlawful, and repented his
Ralhnefs in yielding to it fo haftily. For tho' he
could ufe the Common- Prayer^ and was not yet againft
Piocefans, yet to fubfcribe Ex Animo^ That there is
nothing in the three Booths contrary to the H^ord of God^
was that which he durft not do, had it bin to be done
again. So that Subfcription^ and the Crofs in Baptifm,
and the Promifcmus Giving the Lord* s^Supper to all
Comers, tho* ever fo unqualify'd, if they weie not
Excommunicate by a Bilhop or Chancellour who
knows nothing of them, were the only Tilings in
which he as yet in his Judgment inclinM to Noncon-
formity. And yet even as to thefe Things, he kept his
Tho'ts to himfelf. He continued to argue with the
Nonconform ifts about the Points they diiFer'd in, and
particularly Kneeling at the Sacrament; about which
be managM a Difpute with fome of them in Writing,
'till they did not think fit to purfue it any farther, He
^ freely reprov*d them for the Bitternefs of their Lan-
guage againft the Bifhops and their Adherents, and
exhorted them to endeavour for Patience and Chari-
ty, but found their Spirits fo exafperated by the hard
Meafure they had met with, that they were deaf to his
Adjnonitions. Obferving which, he came to this Con-
clulion. That he that will have Children, muft be a Fa-
ther ; and he that will be a Tyrant, mult be contented
with Slaves.
fjis labours While he continued 2d. Dudley^ he had a numerous
in Dudley Auditorv, and a tra^5tabie People to deal with. The
(^ Bridg- Town had before bin famous for Drunkennefs ; but
pOJth. he found there a greater Readinefs to hear the Word of
God with Submiflion and Reformation, than in moll
Places he was acquainted with. But within Three
Quarters of a Year, he was by earneft Importunity
prevailM with to remove to Bridgnorth^ the fecond
Town in Shropfhire^ to be Alfiftant to Mr. fViliiam
Madjiard. His Work here being juft what he defired,

with-

Chap. n. Mr. Richard Baxter. 15"

without his being put upon any Thing that he fcrupled, ^n. 1640,
with a fair ProbabiUty of Peace and Quiemefs, was
his main Inducement to liften to this Motion. For
Bridgnorth is a Place priviledg'd from all Epifcopal Ju-
rifdi^ion, except the Arch-Bi(hop*s Triennial Viliuti-
of>. There is a peculiar Ordinary, who as an Official
keeps a conftant Ecclefiaftical Court, having Ju-
rifdidion over Six Parilhes, which lye there together
which, have all the Privikdge of this Exemption.
Mr. Madflard, who then was Minifter, was a grave
and fevere Ancient Divine, very Honeft and Confci-
entious, and an Excellent Preacher, but fomewhat Af-
flided thro* the Scantinefs of his Maintenance, and
much mor€ thro* the Unprofitablencfs of his People.
He was not only Minifter but Official too. which was
a Security to his Alliftant. Tlie Town Maintenance
being inconfiderable, he took the Parfonage of O/df-
^«r>neaftheTown, a Village of fcarce Twenty Houfes,
defiring Mr. Baxter to fpend one half of the Lords
Day in the Town, and the other at the Village. Tho'
his Lot afterwards fell out to be moftly in the Town.
He was here put upon nothing which he efteem'd un-
-lawful. He often read the Common-Prayer before he
Preach'd, both on LordVDays and Holy Days ; but
he never adminiftred the Lord's-Supper, nor ever Bap-
tized any Child with the Sign of the Crofs, nor ever
wore the Surplice, nor was he ever put to appear at
any Bilhop's Court. He found the People here, ge-
nerally Ignorant and dead hearted. The Town con-
fifted very much of Inns and Ale-Houfes, and had no
General Trade to employ the Inhabitants which is
the undoing of many great Towns. So that tho by
his firft Labours among them, he was Inftrumental in
the Converfion of feveral Perfons, and was generally
Applauded, yet be was not fo fuccefsfiil m bis VVorK,
as afterwards in other Places, Tippling and III Com-
pany rendred his Preaching ineffeduai.
^ He was fcarce well fettled ^^^V'.^ before he was di- 0^^^^^^
fturb'dby the E.t c<etera Oath, which was f^.^"^ ?/> ^"j;, '^
the Convocation then fitting. All ^vere en)^^"^^/;/^'"'
fwear, That they muld never Confcnt to the f oration oj
the ?\e[ent Government of the ^,^«^^^' ^ /^^^'Cnn
Bll^op\ Dems, ArchzD^ams, &c. And that upon

1 6 The LIFE of Chap. II.

An.1640. pain of Expulfion. This was a New Engine of Di-

vifion. Some were Zealous for

* B!fl}op Hall declares that he ne- this Oath ; * Alfercing the Di-
ver tender (L this Oath to any one Mi- vine Right of Epifcopacy, which

nifter of his Viotefs, See fame Sj>e- was fettled by Law, they apprc-
ciaJties of his Life, drawn up hy headed that upon the Command
himfe/f, p. 43. of the Sovereign Power, it was

very warrantable to Swear, ne-
ver to confcnt to an Alteration. And the King's Ap-
probation of thofe Canons wherein this Oath was en-
joyn d, they tho't made them fufficiently Obligatory.
But others look'd upon Epifcopacy as an indifferent
Thing, mutable when King and Parliament pleasM.
Nay, they apprehended the Engli/h Frame, confifting
of Arch-Bifhops, Deans and Chapters, and Arch-
Deacons ; and Diocefans having many Hundred Pa-
rifh- Churches under one Bifliop, as foreign to the
Word of God, and deftruc^ive of that Epifcopacy
which was known in the Church at leaft for lOo
Years. The Swearing to a blind Et cxtera they look'd
upon as intolerable ; becaufe it took in all the Officers
of the Eccleiiaftical Courts, Lay Chancellours, Surro-
gates, CommifTaries and Officials, which was Swear-
ing to an Anomalous Rabble. They further pleaded.
That this Sort of Government might actually be Le-
gally altered by King and Parliament ; and that to
(wear before-hand not to obey fuch a Law, was in
fuch a Manner to make an Oath a Bond of Difobedi-
ence, as was next to a Rebellion. They urg'd, that it
was againft the Subjeds Liberty to Petition for Re-
drefs of Grievances, among which fome Branches of
this Government might well be reckoned : And that
it was againrt the Priviledge of Parliament, to have
fuch an Oath impos'd without their Confent. The
Neighbouring Minifters met together upon this Occa-
(ion, to confider what to do : Some were for comply-
ing, but more againft it. This put Mr, Baxter upon
ftudying the Matter of Epifcopacy, and the Englifh
Frame of Church Government afrefli ; and reading
Gerjome Bucer his Dijfertatio He Gubernatione Ecciefia^
Didoclnvii Altare Dam/j/cenum^ Parker de Politeia Ec-
clefiaftica^ (3 Baynes*s Diocefans Try.i! ; and ^comparing
their Rcafons with Bifliop Downafn:^^ he was convin-
ced

Chap. II. Mr. Richard Baxter. j j

ced, that cho* all kind of Epifcopacy tvas not fiaciy un- ^Iw. 1640
lawful, yet that the EngUflo Diocefan Frame was
guilty of the Corruption of Churches and Miniflry,
and of the Ruin of the true Chorcii Diicipline, and
fubfticuting an Heterogeneal Thing m ics ilea i. So
that this very Oath, which was impos'd m Order to
the unalterable fubjeding of the Nation to Dircefans,
was a great Means to alienate him frona them, ^rii not
him only, but many others with him. They who be-
fore tho't it belt to follow their Bufinefs, and live in
Quietnefs, and let the Bilhops alone, were rowz'd by
the Terrour of an Oath to look about them, ana un-
derftand what they did. New Heats were ftirr'a up
among the Contending Parties, by the Debates which
this Oath occalion'd : And they who wereagainlt ic, be-
gan to think better of the Cnufe of Nmicovformity^ and
to Honour xht .Nono^nformifts more than before. So
that thnf which was defign d for their Ruin, prov'd a
great Advantage to chem.

It unhappily fell our, that while this Divided the r r ^^-a
Church at Home, the Church of Scot'Und alfo was all J, ^ *■'*
in a Flame : For when Things v;ere quictihere under a s^ytland.
more moderate Epifcopacy than ours in England^ ( tho'
that Nation had bin us'd to Presbytery J a New Com>rjon-
Prayer Book ( that is the Englifh One, with fome few
Alterations) was impos'd upon them, together with
the Englifh Ceremonies. This occafion'd an Infurretftion
in Edinburgh^ and many dther Places, A Fire being
once kindled amongft them, was not eafily excin-
guiih'd. Notwithftanding all the induftry and Care
of the Earl of Tre./uaire, che King's Ccmmiirioner, the
Number of the Malecontents To encreas'd, rhat there
was no opponng them ; but: they got the Power of all
the Land into their Hand^the Greatelt Part of the
Nobility fallmg in with the Miniiters and their Ad-
herents, Hereupon they all enter'ii into a National
Covenant, to the fame Purpofe-. as fortr erly that Na-
tion had done againft Popcty, preincy and Supeyflinorj^
and to uphold the Gofpel and Beformntion. The Do-
lors of Aberdeen DifTented Uomi\\t Covenant^ and ma-
ny Writings pafs'd between them and the Covefw»rc> s up-
on that Subjeft, 'till at lait the Wars that came on,
turn'd the Debates into another Strain.

r. At

IH

i8 The LIFE of Chap. II.

yin. 1640. At ihc very iame Time, a Tax which the King had
Ohh s/ 0- •'^H^'o^'^ ^" EngUnA, cajl'd Ship-Money^ ( zs for ihe
Money Strengchniiig rhe Navy ) gave general Diiratisfadion.
This being done without Confenc of Parliament, there
was a Marinuripe all over the Land, efpecially among
the Country Nobiliry and Gentry jfor they look'd upon
ir as the Ovcrthrovooi the FunHatnental L.^ws or ConftitU'
ti- n of the KSvgdom^ and of Parliamejits and Property,
This was the Common Cry at that Time, that if once
ynrHiitncnts and Property were deftroy'd, the Government:
was dilVolvM, and no Man had any Security of Eftate,
Liberty, or Life, but the Pleafure of the King, whofe
Will would be the only Law. Some deny'd the Pay-
ment o^ this Ta:x, and put the Sheriffs upon Diftrain-
ing. The Sheriffs, tho' afraid of a future Parliament,
did it in Obedience to the King. Mr. Hampden and
the Lord Say brought it to a Suit ; Mr. Oliver S^ Jolmy
and others, boldly pleading the Peoples Caufe. All the
J4.;dges except Mutton and Crook, had, when they were
conlulred, given it as their Judgment, That the King
in a Cafe of Need might impofe fuch a Tax: And fo
Judgment paft for the King in the Suit, which caused
the Matter to make much the Greater Noife.
TheScotW) The Sects foon after enter'd England vq\i\\ an Army,
Broils. encourag'd, as it was fuppos'd, by many of the Englijh
Nobility, who tho't there was no other Way to caufe
the Calling ct a Parliament to remedy Diforders. The
EarJs of Ejfcx^ Pf^arvc>icl{, Bedford, Clare, BuUir.gbroo}{,
'Mulgrave, and Holland^ and the Lords Sny and Brocks
were reputed of this Confederacy. But Heylin fays,
Thnt the Scots, after they came in^ did perfvoade thefc
Perfcns of their Dajiger in England // Arbitrary Govern^
ment voent on ; and fo they Petition'd the King for a Par-
liament, which was all tlffeir Confederacy. And this
wa^ after their fecond Coming into England too.

The King met the Scots at Uexo-Caftle, A Pacifica-
tion was concluded, and a Parliament call'd, and the
Scots return'd Home. This Parliament quickly difplea-
fing rhe King, he dilfoL'd it, and again undertakes a
War agamft the Scots, to which, befides others, the Pa-
pilts by the Queen's Means, did voluntarily Contri-
bute : Whereupon, the Scots^ complam of Evil Coun-
felloius and Papifts, as the Caufe of their renew'd
Dangers j and raife their Army again, and enter into

^nglanA

Chap. II. Mr. Richard Baxter.

19

Enghnd, The Engli/h iat To'k Petition the King for a A». 1640-
Parliament, and once more it is rclolv'd en, and an
Agreement made : But neither rhe Scotti/h nor Ev^Jifh
Army was Disbanded; And thns in the Yt-ar 1640,
began that which hath fihce bin cail'd the Lmg PnrLA-
mem : The moft Celebrated Parliament that ever fate
iri Englnyid. ^ . ,

During thefe Northern Stirs, the Earl of Bndgevpaccr, Mr. Bix-
who was Lord-Prefidentof the Marches in H-^ales, paf- ter in jhme
firg thro' Bridgnorth in his Journey trom Ludlorvxo the ^'*":^f'" fo^
King, Complaint was made to him by fome malicious ^''['■'^"»fcf'
Perfons of the Town, that Mr. MrJfiard znd Mr. B^x- ^'^^'
ter were defediive in Point ot Conformity ; not fign-
ing with the Sign of the C/c/r, nor wearing the v«r-
plice, nor praying againft the Scon, who were juft
then entring into England^ for which there was a Form
of Prayer printed by the Biiliops, tho' nO Command
from the King. The Complaint was made on S.itur-
day Evening, when the Lord Prefident entered thii
Town; and he promis'd them, he would himfelf bi^
next Day at the Church, and fee how Things went.
Mr. Mr.dfiArd letir'd, and left Mr. Bixe^, and
Mr. Swnw the Reader, to ftand alone. But when the
next Day came, the Lord Prelident ibddenly aktr'd his
Mind, and went as far as Lichfield ; requiring the Ac-
cufers and Bailiffs to fend after him to inform him what
was done that Day at Church. Thty failed not to 0-
bey his Orders, and threatn'd mighty Things on the
Account of Noncompliance ; bur all evaporated at
length into Smoak : For he fent them Word in Anfwer;
That he had not the Ecchfiafiical Jurifdiilioriy nnd there-
fore cculd not Theddh with them.

The Parliament being met, fell directly iipon a /^^- ThOi/enlu^
formntion of Church and StatCc Long and Vehement of th: Long
Speeches were made aigaihft Ship-Money, againlt the Parlia-
Judges that Approv'd it, againfl the Etdetem Onth, and mcnt.
the B'/hcps and Convccatioh that form'd it,' and againft
jny Lord Strajford^ Arch-Bifhop Laud, and other Evil
Counfellours. There w^s at firft.ai marvellous Con-
cord among the Men\bers, ihro" the Complication of
the Interelts of thofe Caufes, in which ibey federally
"did moft concern themfclves. For as the King, bad at
oiice impos'd the Ship^Money^ on the Comn.on-Wealtb;
itii perirjitted the Bifliops to impof(^upOn the Church
" £2 ^beir

20 T^he LIFE of Chap. II.

An. 1640. their Difpleafing Articles, the Book for Dancing on the
LordVDay, c^c and to Sufpend or Silence a great ma-
' ny Minifters, for want of Super Canonical Conformity;

fo the Parliament accordingly confifted of Two Sorts
of Men, who by the ConjunCliion of thefe Caufes
were united in their Votes and Endeavours for a Re-
formauon. One Party made no great Matter of the
Alterations in the Church, but faid, That if ?arlicmcnts
are once dovon^ nnd Property gone^ and Arbitrnry Govern-
ment fet up, nnd Law fubjeHed to the Princess J4''iU^ then
aU were Slaves ; and this they reckon'd intolerable :
For the remedying of it, they faid, No true Englijh Man
could thinly any Price too dear. Thefe the People call'd
Good Common PVealth''s Men. The other Sort were the
more Religious Men, who were alfo fenfible of thefe
Things, but much more affected with the Intereft of
Religion. Thefe moft inveigh'd againft Innovations in
the Churchy the Bowing to Altars^ the Bool^ for Sforts on
Sundays, the Cafting out Minifters^ the High-Comm''JJion
Court, the Putting down LeHures and Afternoofi Sermons,
and Expofjtions on the Lor d'^s- Days ; with other fuch
Things, which they tho't of Greater Weight than Ship-
Money. But becaufe they who were of this Stamp, a-
preed with the others in the Vindication of Liberty and
Property, therefore did they of the other Sort the more
eafily concur with them, in Oppofition to the Proceed-
ings of the Bifhops and High-Commiffion Court^ &c.

Their Difpofition being known, Complaints and Pe-
titions were fent in to them from all Parts, with Refe-
rence both to Ecclefiaftical and Civil Encroachments.
Great Things, fuch as before were tho*t Impradlicable,
were compafs'd in a little Time. An A61 pafs'd againft
the High'CommiJJion Court, and the Secular or Civil Power
of Church Men. Another, That the Parliament (kould
not be dijjolvd without its own Confent, And another for
Triennial Parliaments. Nay, at length, the King was
forc'd to part even with his Favourite the Lord- Deputy
Wemworth. All Things in general put on a New Face;
of which the Sequel of this Narrative gives a further
Account.
j± Refor- Among other Important Matters that were deter-
mation o/min'd, a i\;formatim of the Clergy was refolv'd on, and
th: t/fr^ accordingly a Committee was appointed, to hear Pe-
tntended. titions and Co»plaints againit iheai. Multitudes

from

Chap. 11. Mr. Richard Baxter.

21

from all Quarters came up immediately with Petitions An, 1640
againft their Minifters, charging them with Injuff.
ciency^ Falfe DoHrinCj Illegr.l Innovations^ or Scandnl,
Mr. John Wnite was Chairman , and was the Publifhec
of A Century of Scandalous Mlnifters^ which was after-
wards follow'd with a Second Century ; both were fill'd
with moft abominable Particularities, the concealing
which had certainly bin a much greater Service to Reli-
gion than their Publication ; which was but making
Sport for Atheills, Papifts and Profane.

Amongft other Complainets, the Town of Ksder- ^ p ■ :
minfier in iVorceflerfhire had drawn up a Petition a- front ^ ' Kc^
gamft their Vicar and his two Curates, as infufficienc dermin-
for the Miniftry, and they put it into the Hands offter, the
Sir Henry Herbert^ who was Burgefs for Bewdley. The Octafton of
Vicar well knowing his own Infufficiency, agreed to ^/r. Bax-
Compound the Bufinefs, and was free to allow 60 /. ter'j Settle-
per An. (out of near 200 the Living was vyorth) to a '"'"^ ^^^^'*'
Preacher who (hould be cbofen by Fourteen nominated
Truftees. He that was chofen was to Preach whenfo-
ever he pleas'd, the Vicar ftiil reading the Common-
Prayer, and doing every Thing that might be Matter of
Scruple ; for all which he gave a Bond of 5 %o /. Here-
upon the Bailiflf of the Town, and all the Feoffees in-
vited Mr. Baxter to give them a Sermon ; and he upon
Preaching once to them, was unanimoufly chofen to
be their Minifter. Thus was he Providentially bro't
to that Place which had the Chiefeft of his Labours,
and yielded him the Greateft Comfort. He was the
rather inclin d to liften to the Motion, becaufe it was
a full Congregation, and moft Convenient Church ;
an Ignorant People for the moft Part, who had great
Need of Preaching, and yet who had among them a
fmall Company of Converts, who were Humble and
Godly, and of a Good Converfation, and not much
hated by the reft ; and therefore the fitter to aflift their
Teacher : And they had had but little Lively and Serious
Preaching amongft them. Here therefore hf^ fixt him-
felf, making this remarkable Obfervarion : That among
all his Changes he never went to any Place which he
had before defired, defign'd or tho't off, but only to
thofe Places he never tho't of, 'till the fuddain Invita-
tion did furprize him.

C3 CHAP.

2x lie LIFtL of Chap. Hi.

CHAP. IIL

Tfje Oppojition he met ^^Ith at firji /> the Town^
of Kederminfler. His hidefatigable La-
honrs^ and the Admirable tfficacy of his
Mirujlry in that Place.

H

F, fpenc Two Years at Kjdermlnfter before the
War broke our, and above Fourteen Years af-
trr ir ; and in all that Time never touch'd the
Virandge H 'ufc, tho' aiuhoriz'd by an Order of Par-
liament : B t rhe Old Vicar liv'd there peaceably and
quiedy, without any Moleftation. He found the
PJac^' like a Piece of dry and barren Earth, Ignorance
^nd P}of^77^nrfs^ ias Natives of the Soil, were rife among
them : But by the Bleding of Heaven upon his La-
hour and Cultivating, the Face of Paradife appeared
there in all the Fniirs of I{ighteoufne/s. Ac firft, f{agi
and M?cc created him a great deal of Oppofition ;
but it wasfbbn over, and a Special Div^'ne Blejfutr,^ gave
his unwearied Pains among that People an unprece-
dented Succefs.
Stranrre In- Before his Corning, the Town, having bin Emi-
jjaAcei «/nent for Vnniey^ had a Yearly (hew, in which they
Malignity, bro'c forth the painted Forms of Gyants, ro walk a-
bout the Streets with. He gave them no Difturbance,
yet the Rabble of the more Vitious Sort, had ftill
f<')me Spleen to vent againft him, as one Part of their
Game And once all the Jgnoiant Rout were Raging
^'iad againft him for Preaching to them the Dodtrine
of Original Sin, and telling them, Th.it Infants, before
B^"j^encrntiov^ had Ju much Guilt and Corruption as made
them loathfonic in the Eyes of God. Whereupon, they
vented il Abroad in the Country, That he Preach'd,
that G d hated and loathed hfanti. So that they rail'd
at him as he pafs'd thro* the Streets. The next Lord's-
Da he clrar'd and confirm'd the Dodtrine he had be-
fore deliver'd ; and fhewed them, That if it was not
true, their Infants had no Need of Chrift, or of
Baptifm, or of renewing by the Holy Ghoft. And he
ask'd them, VVtJether they durfl fay, that their Children

roere

Chap. HI. M**- R^i^hard Baxter. 2^

were favdvoltkout n Snviour^ and xvcre no Chrijlinns, and
xvhy they Bapti:(d them^ &c. And afcerwards ihey were
Afliam'd and Silent.

Another Time, one of the Drunken Beggars ot che
Town rais'd a Slander of hirii^ TL^t he vpdi i.-id^r a
Tree with n iVjman of III Fame, All the Drunkards iiad
got it in their Mouths, before he con id find the Ori-
ginal. He got three or four of chc^n bound to their
Good Behaviour ; and the Sot himfeif that rais'd the
Slander, confefs'd before the Court, That he Jnxv him in
a I{ainy Day on Horfeback^^ fland under ttn a^ky "^''ich
grew in a thick. Hedq^e, and the t^omnn /landing for (hcltcr
on tlye other Side the Hedge, under the fam:Tres ; and that
he helievd they faw not one another : But he fpake i^t as a
left, and the Company were glad of the Qccafion to
feed their Malice. They all askt hini For given efs, and
he defired the Magiftrate to releafe them. Such Things
as thefc were not uncommon at IQdenninfter. For
Mr John Crofs, (who afterwards dy'd Minifter of Fn-
day'-Jireet in London) being a Preacher there fome Time
before this, a Woman defam'd him openly, and told
the People he would have Ravifli'd her. Ur.Crojs
being a Prudent Man, fent one before to the Bail.tf
and luftice to defire them to call her to Exammation,
and he came after, and fate in a common dark colour d
Coat, among many others, in the Bailifts Parlour, as
if he had bin one of the Magiftrates. Ihe BaiLtt cal-
led her in, and (he ftood impudently to the Accula-
tion. The Bailiff askt her, ^oether fh^ kne^ the M^n
if (he faw him ? Which Ihe confidently affirm d. He
ask'd her Is it this Man, or that Man, o^ the oth^r
Man, or any there P She faid, O .. , Gcd forbid that fi:e
floould accufe any of them, Mr. Crofs faid v^;^ ^^otj he
Man? And fhe faid, No, fl^e kpevo t^e M.« J^/ -•
And when they had told her that this was Mr. C;.//,
fte fell down on her Knees, and ask d him F^^^^^^^^
npf*; . and confefs'd. That one of his Nei^^hboms ( his
Great tcuftr ac the B.fhop's Courcs) >.aUir^ '- '^
reports. Buc the good Man forgave them both Hovv
entirely is the beft eftabUftd Reputation at the Mcy
of th^ Hsvcngeful and Mdutou>, any farther than a
Wife Providence fences and fcrcens it .

At another Time, the Parhament fend ng down jm
Order for the Deraoliaiog of all Statues and foag«

C 4

_f4 The LIFE cf Chap. lir.

of any of the three Perfon. in the Trinity, or of the
Virgin M,,)7, which Ihould he found in Churches, or
or on Crofles in Church- Yards ; Mr. Baxter was for
obeying u The Church-Warden, feeing a Gr.cifix
upon the Crofs m the Church-Yard at KfderwiMer,
fctupa Ladder to reach it, which prov'd too fliort :
He going to feek another, the Drunken Crew in. the
Town took tlie Alarum and ran all together with
Weapons to defend the.r Crucifix and Church Images.
Ic was reportecK Mr. S,xter was the Adior, and him
they fot for: Bur. as Providence had order'd it, he
was walking about a Mile out of Town, orelfehe

hi Tu lu^^'V^'".^''^'^ h^^H^y^. Miffing
him and the Church-Warden too, they went raving
about the Streets to feek them : Two Neighbours ran
in amongft them to fee if Mr. Baxter was there, and
they knocked them down, and fo miferably bruifed
them, that they dy d foon after, never recovering the
Hurt they rece.v'd. When they had foam'd about
halt an Hour, and met not thofe whom they fought

Walk and hearing the People curfing him at their
Doors, he wondred what was the Matter ; but quick-
1> found how fairly he had efcap'd. The next I ordV
Day he dealt plainly with them, and laid open to
them the Quahty of that Adion, and told them. See-
tngtheyfo requited him a, to feek bis Blood, he wa, mlli„g
to leave them, and fave them from that G„ilt. But the
poor Creatures were fo amaz'd and afham'd, that they

S hTm ^^'" *" "'"^ '"^' '"''' '° P^"

Not being at all difcourag'd with this malicious

Oppofition, he laid out himfdf very Laborioufly in

the Work of the Lord among this People, and bad

very eminent Succefs, which under God he look'd

tipon as procur-d by feveral Advantageous Circumftan-

ces, which dcfervc Ohfervation

»•< laho- Before the Civil War, he' preach'd twice every

»•.», Em- Lord s-Day ; but afterwards but once, and once every

floyment asThurJday, bcfides Occafional Sermons. Every Thurl

minte- n^H^'"""i^o'^°'"' °^. •"' Neighbours that had IncI i-
minnei. nation and Opportunity met at his Houfe, one of

them repeated the Sermon, and afterwards ihey pro-

pos'd

Chap. 111. Mr, Richard Baxter.

25

pos'd any Doubts about it, or any other Cafe of
Confcience, which he lefolv'd. He then caus'd fome-
times one, and fometimes another of them to Pray,
and fometimes Pray'd wiih them himfelf ; and fo the
Meeting brake up with fmging a Pfalm. Once a
Week fome of the younger forr, who were not fit to
pray in fo great an Affembly, met among themfelves
more privately, fpending 3 Hours in Prayer. Every
Saturday! Night, they met at fome of their Houfes to
repeat the laft Lord's- Day's Sermon, and to Pray and
prepare themfelves for the Day following. Once in a
few. Weeks, there was a Day of Humiliation kept up-
on one particular Occafion or another. Every Religi-
ous Woman that was fafely delivered, inftead of the
old Goflipings, if jfhe were able, kept a Day of
Thankfgiving, with fome of her Neighbours about her,
praifing God and finging Pfalms, and foberly Feafting
together.

Two Days every Week he and his Alfiftant took 14
Families between them for private Catechizing and
Conference. His Method was this: He firft heard
them recite the Words of the Catechifm, and then ex-
amin'd them about the Senfe, and afcerwards urg'd
them with all poflible engaging Reafon and Vehe-
mence, to anfwerable AfFedlion and Pradlice. If any
were fhy, thro' Ignorance or Baihfalncfs, he forbore
to prefs them any farther to Anfwers, but made them
Hearers, and either examind others, or turn'd all into
Inftrudtion and Exhortation. He fpent about an Hour
with a Family, and admitted no others to be prefenr,
leaft Bafhfulnefs Ihould make it burthenfom, or any
fhould talk of the Weaknefles they obferv'd. His
whole Afternoon on Mondays and Tuefdays, was this
way employed. Every firfl Wednefday of the Month
he had a meeting for Parifli Difcipline : And every
firft Thurfday in the Month was a Meeting held of the
Neighbouring Minifters for Difcipline and Difputati-
on ; in which Difputations he was generally Modera-
tour, taking the Pains to prepare a written Determi-
nation of the Qneftion to be debated. And every Thurf-
day in the Month befides, he had the Company of di-
vers worthy Minifters at his Houfe after the Lecture,
with whom he fpent the Afcernoon in profitable Con-

yerfation

_^f The LIFE of Chap. TIT.

verfadon, 'tilJ his Neighbours came to meet for their
Exercife of Repetition and Prayer.
His Sue- His Publick Preaching met with an Actentive Dili-
ce/s. gent^ Auditory. The Congregation was ufuaily full.

Iho theCburch was very Capacious and Gomm.di-
oas yet afrer his coming thither, they were forcVi to
buiJd 5 Galleries to receive the Hearers. Their Pri-
vate Meetings alfo were full. On the Lod's Days
there was no Diforder to be feen in the Town but yo J
might hear a Hundred Families Tinging Pfams, and
repeating Sermons, as you pafs'd thro* the Streets.
V\henhe firft came thither, there might be about one
raniily in a Street that worfliip'd God and calld on
his Name ; and when he came away, there was not
above a Family on the fide of a Street that did not do
It; and that did not by profefTing ferious Godlinefs
fir^^A. 1?^ ^°P" °^ ^^^'^^ Sincerity. Nay, in the
Worft Faojihes, Inns and Ale-hjoufes, ufqally fome
m each Houfe feem'd to be Religious. Tho' the Ad-
miniftration of the Lord's Supper was fo ordered as that
many were difpleasM, and the far greater part kepta-
way themfeives, yet were there 600 Commnnicanrs, of
v/hom there were not 12 that he had not good Hopes
of as to their Sincerity. And thofe few that did con-
lent to Communion, and yet Jiv'd Scandaloufly, were
afterward Excommiwicated. He had good reafon to
nope. That many who join'd not in Sacramental Com-
tnunion with him, were yet Perfons truly fearing
God. Some of them being kept off by Husbands, by
t'arents, by Mafters, or perfwaded by Men of oppofice
Sentiments, rather than Acting according to their own
Inclinations and Defires. Tho* they were many that
were kept away, yet they took it Patiently, and for-
bore Reviling, as if any Wrong were done them.
And as for thofc unruly Young Men who were Excom-
municated, they generally bore it Patiently as to their
outward Behaviour, tho' their Hearts were hill of Bit-
ternefs. When he fet upon Perfonai Conference with each
FaiDiIy, and Catechizing them, there were very few
Families in all the Town that refus'd to come- and
thofe few were Beggars at the Towns end, who were
fo Ignorant, that they were afliam'd it fhonid be mani-
feft. Few Families went away without fome Tears,
or feemingly fcrious Fromifcs of a Godly Life. Yet

man^

Chap. III. Mr. Richard Baxter. 27

many Ignorant and Ungodly Pcrfons there were ftill
yemainingi but moft of them were in the Parilh, not
in the Town, and in thofe Parts of the Parilh which
were fartheft from rhe Town. And whereas one Part
pi the Parilh was impropriate, and payM Tythes to
Lay-Men, and the other Part maintain d the Church,
it To fell out, that almoft all that lide of the Parifh
which pa)'d Tythe to the Church were godly honeft
People,- and did it willingly without Contention, moft
of the bad People of the Parilh liv'd on the other tide.
Some Poor Men did competently underftand the Body
of Divinity, and were able to judge in Difficult Con-
troverlies : Some of them were To able in Prayer, that
few Mmifters did exceed them in Order and Fulnefs,
in apt ExprefHons, and holy Oratory with Fervency.
Many of them were ab'e to Pray very laudably with
their Families, or with others : The Temper of their
Minds, and the Innocence of their Lives, was much
more laudable than their Parts. The Profeflbrs of fe-
rious Godlinefs were generally of very humble Minds
and Carriage, of meek and quiet Behaviour unto o-
thers, and of Blamelefnefs and Innocence in their Con-
verfations.

God was plcas-d alfo to give him abundant Encou-
ragement in the Lectures which he preach'd Abroad in
other Places; as at ^orceifer^ Cleobury^ Dudley^ Sheffnaly
Sec. where he had full Auditories, and many Converts.
Neither were his Labours loft among his Brethren in
the Miniftry. Their Difputations were advantageous.
Their Meetings were never contentious, but always pro-
fitable. When he motion'd a Way of Church Order and
Difcipline, (of which hereafter) which all might agree
in, that their Churches might not be ungovern'd, nor
fall into Divifions amongft themfelves, he was readily
liften d to, and his Motion reduced to Pradice. And
when he attempted to bring them all conjuncftly to the
Work of Catechi:(ing, and'inftrufting every Family by
itfelf, he found a ready Confent in moft, and many
adlually comply'd with it, much to their Satisfadion.
The Praife of all which he freely and heartily afcrib'd 7.;^^ ^j^

to God. yantageotu

* Many were his Advantages in order to this Succefs. cinumftan-
He came to a People that had never fate under an av«a- ces which
kening Miniftry before. He was himf^lf ir> the Vigour promoted

, , oi this Succefs,

28

The LIFE of Chap. III.

of his Spirits, and had a very moving Delivery • and do-
ing aJJ undei- greac BodiJy Weaknefs, as a Dying Man,
he was the more ^nrm and enme^t. The greateft Ene-
mies of ferious Religion in that Towrt, were carry 'd
oflF by the War. He had aJfo the Favour of the Go-
vernment on his nde. Before the Civil War, the Rio-
tous Rabble had Boldnefs eno' to make ferious Godli-
nefs a common Scorn, and call them all Pwitans and
Precifinns, that did not care as Jittle for God and Hea-

Yu ^'^^- ^rV^ ^^"^^^^ ^5 ^^^y ^i^- Jf a Man was not
tulJy fatisfy d with rheir undifciplin'd diforder'd Churcb-
^u' ^',.^*y"^^^"^^l^<^Ufs Excommunications, ^c If
they did but Fa^ and Pray together, or go from an Ig-
norant Drunken Reader, to hear a Godly Minifter aC
the next Parilh, the Biihop s Articles would enquire af-
ter them, and the High Commiflion grievoufly afflid
them. After the War, the Cafe in this refpea was
mightily aJter'd: For Piety had then full Liberty ; nay,
and Countenance and Reputation too. WithaJ, he
gam d a Greac Intereft in the AfFedions of the Inhabi-
tants of the Town, which is no inconfiderable Thing,
tor tho to win Eftimacion and Love to our felves on-
ly, be an End intended by none but Perfons egregioully
Proud and Hypocritical ; yet it is moft certain, that
the Gratefulnefs of the Perfon doth ingratiate the Mef-
fage, and greatly prepare People to receive the Truth.
He was much affifted by the Zeal and Diligence of the
Oodly People there j who thirfted after the Salvation of
their Neighbours, and being dlTpersM thro' the Town
were ready in all Companies to reprefs feducing Words
^"^!,^ i^ftify Godlinefs; and to Convince, Reprove
and Exhort as there wasoccafion. The Holy, Humble
and BJamelefs Lives alfo of the Religious fort was a fin-
gular Blcfifing. The moft Malicious could not f^iy here.
Your Profeilors are as Proud and Covetous as any. But
the blamelefs Lives of godly People did Ihamc the Op-
pofers, and put to filence the Ignorance of fooiilli Men;
and many were won by their Converfation. Their L7-
nity and Concord alfo was very Advantageous, and
Jheir Freedom from thofe Seds and Hcrcfies which in-
tected many other Places. There was no Prtftor ageing
Paftor, nor Church a'/ainft Church, nor ScSi aoainii Seff,
nor Chrillian tigainn Chnstian. There was not a Sepal
raptd, an Annipaptisl^ an Antinomitin in the Town. At

Bevedly

Chap. III. Mr. Richard Baxter. 2 9

Bewdly there was a Church of AnabaptiUs ; at Wor-
ccHer the Independents gathered a Church : But here all
were of one Mind and Mouth, and Way. One Jour-
neyman Shoemaker turn'd AnnbaftOi^ but he ktc the
Town upon it, and went amongft them. When Peo-
ple faw Diverfity of Setfts and Churches in any Place,
it greatly hindred their Converfion; they were at a
Lofs, and knew not what Pnrty to be of, or what PVny
to go ; and therefore many would be for no Religion
at all, but derided all whom they faw difagreed. But
they had no fuch Offence or Objection here; they could
not ask, Wbkh Church or Party fhall voe be of i For all
were but as one. So Modeft were the ableft of the
People, that they never were enclin'd to a Preaching
Way, nor to make Oftentation of their P/trts ; but took
Warning by the Pride of others, and tho't they had
Teaching eno' by their Paftors ; and that it was bet-
ter for them to beftow their Labour in digefting that,
than in Preaching themfelves. The private Meetings
that were kept up, were alfo very helpful to the Propn^
gating of Godlinefs. Truths that were flip'd away were
thereby recall'd, and the Serioufncls of Peoples Minds
renew'd : Good Defires were cherifli*d, and Know-
ledge encreas'd. By thefe he had opportunity to know
their Cafe : For if any were touch'd and awaken'd in
Publick, prefently they came dropping in to the Pri-
vate Meetings. And fo remote was the Danger of
Schifm or Divifions, that this was the principal Means
to prevent them. All being under his Overfight and
Guidance, who was ufually prefent with them, anfwer-
ing their Doubts, and filencing Objedions, and mode-
rating them in all. Some Private Meetings he found
were very much defired among them. Had he not al-
lowed them fuch as were lawful and prcfxtabUy they
would have bin apt to run into fuch as were unlawful
and hurtful. And therefore, by encouraging them in
fuch a Way, in the fit Exercife of their Parts, in T^e-
petition^ Prayer, and asking Queif ion's; He kept them
from enclining to the diforderly Exercife of them, in
Imitation of the SeBaries, Befides, there were fome
publick Dilputations, whereby the People were much
confirm'd. The Q^iakers would have made Difturbancc,
and fe: up a Meeting in the Tov/n, and raii'd bitterly
at Mr. iaxtsr ; But he giving them leave to meet io
- " the

30 The LIFE of Chap. lit.

the Church for a Difpucc, and opening before the Peo-
ple their Deceits, none would entertain them more, nor
did they gain one Profelyte. Mr. Tombes^ the /iyinbaf-
tj^y who was Le£lurer at Bewdly, had (haken fome.
But after the Difputc held with him, (of which hereaf-
ter) the People were fettled, and the Infeaun ftopp'd.
Another /ldi/:ritage he bad, was the great Honefty and
Diligence of his Alfiftanvs Mr. I{tchard Scjennt, the
firftof them, was very Laborious, much belov'd, of a
meek and humble Spirit^ and blamelefs Life : Andfo
alfo was Mr. Humphry Jyf'^alHern^ who fucceeded him;
which rnadethe People fo much the more in Love with
the Miniftry, and the more ready to fubmitto Inftru£ti-
on. Another Advnntr.ge was the Prefence and Counte-
nance of honeft Juftices of the Peace. Col. John Brid-
ge:, a prudent pious Gentleman, was Patron of the Li-
ving, and liv'd in the Parilh, and was a Juftice of
Peace. And a Bailiff, and Juftice were annually cho'
fen in the Corporation, who ordinarily were Godly
Men, and always fuch as would be tho't fo, and were
leady to ufe their Authority to fupprefs Sin and pro-
mote Goodnefs. And when once a Sabhnth-hreaker
tho't to have overthrown the Officers at Law, Serje-
ant Fountain being then Judge of the Afee, did fore-
prefs his Malice, as difcourag'd all others from any fur-
ther Attempts of that kind. His Readinefs alfo to heip
the Poor, was a great Help to his Succefs. He aiTifted
them for fome time with his Advice in Phyfick, and
was very fuccefsful ; but finding it took up fo much
time as to be burdenfome, he at lengrh fix'd among
them a Diligent Skilful Phyfician, and bound himfelt
to him by Promife, That he would Pra^ice no ynqre in
common Cnfes. But be always was Liberal with his
Purfe. His ftated Income was not above 90 /. per An^
num: Befides which, he lome Years had 60 or 80/. a
Year of the Bookfellers for Bonks ; which being given
away anniongft them, except fo much as was necelfary
for his Comfortable Subliftence, irtade them much the
readier to liften to him. Several of their Children
that had Capacities, he took from School, and fenC
to the Univerfity, where he maintain'd rhem by his
own and others Contributions: Some of which after-
'iwards prov'd very uieful Minirtcrs. His giving away
Bibles atid oiher good Booki amotig foUr EnmiUfSi

Chap. in. Mr. Richird Baxter. 21

was a Thing highly pleafing to them. The People ge-
nerally were of fuch a Trade as allow'd them time
eno' to Read or Talk, of holy Things, which was a-
nother Help. His fingle Life alfo was in fome refpeils
an Advantage to him. Being free from Family Cares,
he had the Greater Vacancy and Liberty for the La-
bours of his Calling. And it was alfo fome Com-
fortj that there were at laft few that were bad, but
fome of their Relations were Converted. Many were
wrought on at 14, r^, 16 Years of Age : Which did
much towards the Reconciling the Minds of the Pa-
rents and elder fort to Godllnefs. Many there were
of a conliderable Age, the Converfion of whofe Chil-
dren was the Chief Means to overcome their Preju-
dice, and old Cuftoms and Conceits. Many did God
recover by Sicknefs, and his conftant difowning the Ini-
quity of the Times tended to the Good of many ; and
fo alfo did the Unanimity of the Miniilers of the
Country round, who Affociated in a way of Concord.
The Quality of the open Sinners of the Place was fuch,
as difcourag'd others. Thofe given to Drunkennefs
were fo Beaftly and Ridiculous, that they made thac
Sin (of which there was the greateft Danger) the more
abhor'd. The Quality of the Apoitate Sinners of the
Place was alfo remarkable. They that fell off, (who
were not many) were fuch as before by their want of
Grounded Underftanding, Humility and Mortificati-
on, gave the greateft Sufpicion of their Stability : And
they fell to no lefs than Familifm and Infidelity, ma-
king a Jeft of the Scripture; and the EflVntials of Chii-
ftianity. And as they fell from the Faith, fo they fell
to Drinking, Gaming, furious PaiTions, and a grofly
Vicious Life : And were thereupon as Pillars and Mo-
numents of God's Juftice, to warn all others to take
heed of Self-conceitednefs, and Herefies -^ and of de-
parting from Truth and Chriftian Unity. Another
confiderable Furtherance of the Peoples Good, wai the
foremention'd Work of Perfonal Conference with every
Family apart, and Catechizing and Inftruding them.
That which was fpoken to them Perfonally, and puc
them many times upon particular Anfwcrs, awaken d
their Attention, and was more eafily apply'd than Pub-
liek Preaching, and feem'd to work much more upon
them. The Exercife of Church Difcipline was anothec
great Helpo " -

32 The LIFE of Chap. HI.

^An ama- About 6 Of 7 Young Men join d with the Congrega-
%inrr In- tion who were addidked to Tipling, and one of them
ftanceofan yj^^ ^i weak-headed Fellow, who was a common no-
IncorrlgibU forious Drunkard. He was admoniftiM o' his Sin,
Smner. npon offering hiii.felf to Communion ; and cold, T/:rtf
without an Humble Penitent ConfeJJlon, and Promife of
Amendment , he muH be declared Vnfit for Church
Communion. He hereupon lamented his Sin with great
Bitternefs, and promis'd Amendment; but quickly
return'd to it again. He was Admoniih'd over and o-
ver, and great Endeavours were us'd to bring him to
Contrition and Refolution 5 and he would TtiU con-
fefs it, and yet ftill go on. Whereupon, Mr. Baxter
"Warn'd him jpublickly, and Pray'd for him feveral
Days in the Church : But he went on in his Drun-
kennefs ftill. At Jaft, he declared him utterly unfit for
Church Communion, and required all to avoid him
accordingly, endeavouring to convince him of his Mi-
fery, and of the Neceflity of true Repentance and Re-
formation. After his Ejedlion, when he was Drunk,
he would Hand at the Market-place, and like a Quaker
cry out againft the Town, and take on him to Pro-
phefy God's Judgments againft them, and would Rage
at Mr. Baxter'^ Door, and Rail and Curfe him bitter-
ly. And once he foUow'd him as he went to Church,'
and laid Hands on him in the Church-Yard, with a
purpofe to have kilTd him ; but it fell out that he had
hold only of his Cloak, which he unbutton d and left
with him ; and before his Fury could do any more, (ic
bting the Fair- Day) there were fome Strangers by in
the Church- Yard, who dragg'd him to the Magiftrate
and the Stocks. And thus he continu*d raging againft
him about a Year, and then dy'd of a Feaver^ in Great
Horrour of Confcience. Three or Four more were
forc'd to be caft out, one for Slandering, and the reft
for Drunkennefs : And they were enrag'd, and much
the worfe after it, and lb were loud H^arnings to others.
Another Advanta^e^ in order to his Succefs among
them, was his ordering his Docftrine to them in a Suit-
abienefs to his main End ; and yet fo as might fuit their
Difpofitions and Difcafes. The Great Fundamental
Principles of Chrilfianify^ contJiin'd in the Baptifmal
Covenant; even a right Knowledge and Belief of^
and Subje&ion and Love tOy God the Father ^ the Son,

and

Chap. III. Mr. Richard Baxter. 35

and the Holy Ghcfl^ were the Things which he daily o-
pen'd to them, and with greateft Importunity laboured
to imprint upon their Minds. So frequently did he in-
culcate the Knowledge of God, Creator, Redeemer
and Sandifier, and Love and Obedience to Him, and
Unity with the Church Catholick, and Love to Men,
and Hope of Life Eternal ; that thefe were the Mat-
ter of their daily Meditations and Difcourfcs, and in-
deed their Religion. And yet he ufuaiiy put fomt-
thing into his Sermons that was above their Difcovcry,
and which they had not known before, ihatchey might
be kept Humble, ftill perceive their Ignorance, and
be willing to remain in a Learning State; and to en-
creafe their Knowledge, and make Religion pleafant
10 them by a daily Addition to their former Light, and
to draw them on with Defire and Delight. But thele
Things, which they did not know before, were not un-
profitable Controverfies, which tended not to Edifica-
tion, nor Novelties in Dodtrine, contrary to the Uni-
verfal Church ; but either fuch Points as tended to iU
luftrate the great Do(Srines of Religion, or ufually a-
bout the right Methodizing them, which requires a
great deal of Tho't and Accuracy. He was abundantly
convinced of the Neceflity of Care in this refped, by
long Obfervation : For when Minifters tell their People
of no more than they kriow, and do not lliew that
they excell them in Knowledge and Abilities, they will
be tempted to turn Preachers themfelves : And think-
ing that they have learn'd all that their Miniiters can
teach them, they will contemn them, an.i wrangle
with their Dodrines, and fet their Wits againft them,
and hear them as Cenfurers and not as Difcipies, to
their own Undoing, and to the Difturbance of the
Church ; and they will eafily draw Difciples after them.
The bare Authority of the Clergy will not Icrve
the Turn, without confiderable Minifterial Abilities.
Another Advnntage lay in the Quality of the People
as to their Outward Condition. They xvere not Rich.
There were few Beggars indeed, becaufe their Cotri-
mon Trade 0^ StuffV^-avh^ would find Work for all,
Men, Women and Children, that were able: But
there were none of the Tradefren Wealthy, their
Employment ordinarily finding them but Food and
Raiment. Few of the MagUtrates were worth 40 /.

54 The LIFE of Chap. III.

per Annum 'y and moft not half fo much. Three or
Four of the Mafter Workmen got perhaps Five or Six
Hundred Pound in ao Years; but the Generality of
them hv'd little better than Journeymen, from Hand
to Movith, excepting that they labour'd not altogether
fo hard. This kept them from a great many Tempta-
tions which Weahh is attended with, and made them
much more pliable and yielding to the Miniftry, than
could otherwife have been expedted.

His not meddling with Tythes or IV^rldly Bufinefs was
another Advantage to "him. Hereby he had the more
Tim£ for his Study, and his Mind was the freer from
Entanglements, and he avoided offending the People
by contentious Law- Suits. There were three or four of
his honeft Neighbours who manag'd for him all Con-
cerns of that Nature, and he never took an Account of
them. After that he was conftrain'd to let the Tythes
be gather d as by his Title, to fave the Gatherers from
Law Suits, he gave Orders, That if any Perfons refused
to fny who voere Poor, it fhculd he forgiven them : But that
if the Perfons were able ^ what was due floouldbe Jought for by
the help of the Ma^iftrate with the Damr.ge ; and that both
his Part and the Dnynages Jhould be given to the Poor,
When this was once known, none that were able
would do the Poor fo great a Kindnefs as to refufe
Payment. His ftaying fo long in this one Place, was
a further Advantage. By this Means it came about,
that almoft all the Religious People of the Place were
of his own Intruding and Informing ; and he ftay'd
to fee them grown up to fome Confirmednefs and Ma-
turity. All which Advantages he diftindtly Noted
and Recorded, with due Regard to that Providence
whereto they were owing,
t,. - _ One of his main Difficulties when he fix'd in Kf-
hout DiCc' ^^^^^^^^''t was how to fet up any Thing of a true Dif-
p/ine. cipline^ without being fatisfy'd with the Shadow of it,

inftead of the ReaJiiy on one Hand, or unchurching
the Parifh Church on the other. After mature Tho'cs
upon the Matter, he told the People, Toat he w;nt not
about to gather a Njw Churchy but would take the Parijh
for the Churchy uniefs they were tinwilling to own their
Mrmbrtfhip. Al] that did own their Mcmbcrfhip in
that Pariih Church, and would own him for their
Faftour, he delired to give in their Names, or any

other

Ghap. III. Mr, Richard Baxter. 25

other Way to fignify that they did fo : And thofe who
were not willing to be Members, and rather chofe to
wichdraw themfelves, than to Jive under Difcipline,
he defired to be filenr. And fo thro' fear of Difci-
pline, all the Pariih kept off except 600, when there
were in all above 1600 at Age to be Communicancs :
Yet becaufe it was their own doing, and they knew
they might come in when they would, they were quiet.
If any fcrupled fitting at the Lord's Table, he openly
told them, They Jhould have the Liberty of their own Ge-
fture. And he was free to Baptize all their Children :
But he made them hrft (as he would have done by
Strangers ) give him privately ( or publickly if they
had rather ) an Account of their Faith. And if any
Father were a Scandalous Sinner, he made him confefs
his Sin openly with Teeming Penitence, before he
would Baptize his Child. If he refus'd ir, he forbore
'till the Mother came to prefent it. For he rarely, if
ever, found both Father and Mother fo deftitute of
Knowledge and Faith,as in a Church Senfe to be utter-
ly uncapable.

There was one Sir I{alpb CUre who liv*d in the Pa- ^'^ ^o»'
riih, who did rtiore to hinder his Succefs, than could ^"*^ '""
have bin done by a great many others. He was a ^'*'' | ^"'
Man indeed of great Courtlhip and Civility, and car- ^J t* ^
ry'd it with much Perfonal Reverence and Refpe(5t,
and yet coming but once to Church on the LordV
Days, and abftaining from the Sacrament, his Exam-
ple did much Mifchief ; tho* at the fame Time his fend-
ing his Family to be Perfonaliy Inftrudted and Ca-
lechiz'd, did win with the worft almoft to do the like.
He made a Motion to Mr. Baxter, That he would
Communicate with him, if he would adminifter the Sa-
crament to him Kneeling, and on a diftin(^ Day, and
not with thofe that receiv'd it Sitting. In a Letter in
Anfwer to him, he offer'd, // he muld fuhmit to Difci-
pline, and take him for his Paftour, and firft hear his F^ea-
fonsy if he could not Convince him^ but if he xvoidd profefs
that he thot it n Sin agninft God to receive the Sacrament
unlefs it were put into his Hands Kjieelivg, and that he
durfl not in Confcience takje it otherwife^ he would fo give
it him : But as for doing it at a difiin^i ftnted Time from
the reft, it would make fuch a Breach or Sciiifm^ as he coul4
have no Hand in»

D 2 He

§6 The LIFE of Chap. HI.

The Cafe of He had alfo Tome Difficulty about the Sequeftrarion
the Fica- of the Living of Kedcrmir?f}er^ upon the Account of
ridge of Kt- which he was refleAed on by many, but very unjuft-
dcrminfler, ]y . p^j. ^^e true State of the Cafe was this. While
he was kept away from the Place by a Languilhing
IJinefs, not knowing whether God would make any
farther Ufe of him, the Towns People tho't fit to re-
new their Articles againft their old Vicar and his Cu-
rate ; and upon Tryal of the Caufe, the Committee
fequeftred the Place, but put no one into it, leaving
the Profits in the Hands of divers Inhabitants to pay a
Preacher, 'till it were difpos'd of Mr. Baxter y tho'
urgently prefs'd, refus'd the Vicaridge, and would
have only the Lecfture, which by the Old Man's own
Confent and Bond he held before. And at his Return,
he found only Mr. Serjeant in PolfefiTion, who was de-
fired to Officiate during the Vacancy. Being vehe-
mently urg'd again to accept the Vicaridge, he repeated
his Refufal, and got the Magiftrates and Burgelles to-
gether into the Town Hall, and told them, That tbo he
was offe/H feveral Hundred Pounds per Annum elfe-
vphere, yet he w/ts vail ling to continue with them in his Old
LeBurers PUce^ which he had before the 0^ar^ expelling
they (hould make the Maintenance an loo 1. per Annum,
with the Addition of an Houfe : Avd if they would promife
to fuhmlt to that Dotlrine of Chrij}, which as his Mini-
fier he /hould deliver to them, he would never leave them.
But he intimated, that this Maintenance fhould neither
come out of their own Purfes, nor any more of it out
of the Tythes but the 60 1, which the Vicar had before
bound himfelf to pay him, But from an Augmenta-
tion, eafily to be procur'd : And the reft he would have
nothing to do with. This Covenant was drawn up in
Articles, and Subfcrib'd ; and he exprefly difclaim'd
the Vicaridge and Paftoral Charge of the Parifli, and
only undertook the Lecture. And thus the Sequcfira-
tion continued in the Hands of the Townfmen, who ga-
thered the Tyrhes, and paid him ( not an Hundred, as
they promised) but 80/. per Annum, or 90 at moft,
and Rent for a few Rooms : The reft they pave to
Mr. Serjeant^ and about 40 /. per Anvum to the Old Vi-
car, and 6 /. per Annum to the Lord for Rent, befides
other Charges. But when they had contmu'd long in
this Way, they fearM kaft feme one againft their Will

(hould

Chap. IV. Mr. Richard Baxter. 27

fhould get a Grant of the Sequeftration from the Com-
mittee, and therefore they went privately and got an
Order from them to fettle Mr. Baxter in the Title, and
never fhew'd it him, but kept it fecret, defigning only
to fecure the Place from a Surprize, and thernfelvcs
from repaying what they disburs'd. But when King
Charles came out of Scotland with his Army to H^'orcsjler
their Houfes being full of Soldiers, they bro't him rhe
Order, entreating him, if he would not own it, yet at
leaft to keep it fafe, and to fave them haimlefs by ir,
if they were call'd to Account Which is the rather
mention'd fo particularly, to clear him from fome Af-
perfions, unjuftly caf^: upon him about this Matter.

Upon the Whole ; fo much of the Spirit oF God
did Mr. Baxter find accompanying him in his Work at
IQdermvnJler, and fo affecT:io!;ate was his Regard to
the Loving People of that Place, that he would not
willingly have exchanged his Relation to them for any
Preferment in the Kingdom, nor could he without
Force have bin feparated from them. .

CHAP. IV.

The Rifi and Springs of the Civil War : Some
brief Touches of the Hiflory of the Times
*till the Cutting off the King.

NOT long after his Settlement at Ksdermwfter, ,

the Civil War began, and the Times rain'd
— Blood fo long, 'till the Languifliing State of the

Kingdom was almoft defperate and incurable. He was
a Mournful Spedtatour of the Publick Confufions,
and made fome Rematks on the Occurrences of the
Times, which are not unworthy the Notice of Pofterity.

The Nation had for fome Time before bin under rhe further
Difcontent. The General Cry was for Juftice in the Proceedings
Punifhment of Delinquents. This went againft the of tU Long
King, and was a great Trouble ro his Friends and Fa- Parliament
vourites, who none of them knew how foon his own
Turn might come. The Lord-Keeper Finch and Secre-
tary Wmdehank fled beyond Sea and fav'd themfelves.
The Guilty Judges were deeply accus'd in Parliament,
jind fome of them ImpriCon* d on the Account of Ship-

P ^ Money

58 The LIFE, of Chap. IV.

^n. 1(541. Money. But the Great Difpleafure was agajnft the
* Dr. Parr ^^^^ ^^ Strcjford,2iT\A. Arch-Bi(hop Luud. They were
in the Life toth fent to the Tovoer, and a Charge was drawn up
of Arch- againft them, and managed prefendy againft the Lord-
BifI)o]} Ufh- t)€^\ii^' PVentvoorthy by the ableft Lawyers and Gentle-
er, rvhich men of the Houfe. This was a Matter they were long
hepuhlifh'd about ; for the King being unwilling to confent to bis
tn FV/o, Deach, us'd all his Skill to ftop the Profecution. A
inenttoning D^vifion arofe among the Great ones. The Lords Kj/i^-
t'o r I "'If ^^^^ ^"^ Digby, and other Perfons of confiderable Note,
tin \' '^ ^^^^ ^^^ gratifying tlie King by fp^tfirig him. Others
ztpon thti w^rc vehement on the other Side, faying : That if af-
Occaf:on ^^^ ^ plain Attempt to fuhvert the Fundnynentnl Ltiws
fays he xpas ^^^ Liherti^s, no one Man fhould fuffsr Denth^ it xcould
injnr''d by encourage others hereafter in the like. The Londoners Peti-
Common tion'd the Houfe for Juftice^ and follow'd them with
Tame, in their Cries and Clamours : And an unhappy Painter
the Feport drew the Pidiures of the Chief of thofe Members who
fpread a- vvere for faving the Lord-Deputy, and call'd thern ^fr^f-
broad.about fQy^j^„j^ hanging them with their Heels upward on the
he H ^-^^^^^^^' This Procedure made the Lord Di^hy and

KXdye. e ^^^ j^Q^d Falkland heartily fall in with the King's Inte-
('pa'T 6t ]^^^'' being not fo immovable as fome others, whom
that rphen neither Hope oor Fear, nor Difcontent, would alienate
that Holy from the Caufe which they thought well of. Yet o-
Man ivas thers were try'd with the Offer of Preferments. The
in fuchLoiA Sny was made one of the Privy-Councii ; and
Dangerous Mr. Oliver St. John the King's Solicitor, &c. But as
Circumfian- this did not alter them, fo others would accept no Prc-
ces, (IS that ferment, leaft they fhould be tho'tto feek thcmfelve*, or
aRtffhowere f^c their Fidelity to fale. At length the Earl of Straf-
lT r f'''^'^^^^ Condemn d, and the King l^ing defired to
;of '''J Sign the Bill, had the Advice of divers Bi(hops, and
rL'H/;: !,"1?"§ ^JV'^' of A.ch-Bii]iopty/^.>, and l^rjuxon
Liberty tn Piuiop 01 Lonacn. 1 he totmer'^, as v;as faid, told him,

a'ih him, If

he had advis'd tijt King to pnfs the Bill againd the Earl of Strajj'ord? To which
he reply d, I l:now there is fach a Thing mofl wrongfully laid to my Clmrge -
forIneithfrg3ve, nor aj^prordof any fuch Advice,astirat the King (hould Af-
fcnc to the Bill agninft the Earl ^ baton the contrary told hisMajcdy, thatifhe
was fatisfy'd hy what he hnd h.eard at liisTryaljtliat ih/- Earl was nor guilty of
Treafon, his Majefty ought not in Confcicncc to confent to hisCondemnatio.n.
It may perhaps contribute to the Reader's Satisfafiion to compare the Account
here^iven in the Text and Muy^w^ v^ith Hi (hop Huckct'5 Lkfc of ^(h-Bifhop
WilUamF, ptfrf. ?. f^^. 1^1. Jhdt

% — -

Chap. IV. Mr. Richard Baxter. 20

That he might lavofully concur with the Judgment of his An. i6ai.
Parliament Proceeding according to Law, tho his oxon
'Judgment were, that their Sentence was uvjuft • but
the latter advis'd him to do nothing againft his'Con-
fcicnce.

There was great Heat auiongthe Members of Parlia-
ment in thofe Debates which this Matter occafion d.
Some were much againft Difpleafing and Provoking the
King, and tho'c themfelves not obiig'd to attempt
any other Juftice or Reformation, than what they
could bring him to be willing to. And they thus ar-
guM : T4^hen you have difpleasd and provoked him to the
utmofty he will be your Kjng fliU ; and when you have fate
to the longeft, you mu§i be diffolvd at' laft. Tou have no .
Power over hps Perfon, tho* you have over Delimjucnt Sub-
jeHs. If he prote^ them by Arms^ you muFt either your
felves he ruind by his Difpleafure, or engaged in a War,
Difpleafing him^ is but exafperating him ; and would ycu
be E{uCd by a Kjng that hates you ? The more you offend
him, the lefs you can trufi him*, and when mutual Co^fl'
dence is gone, a War is beginning. And if it come to a
War, either you will Conquer^ or be Conquer^ d^ or come to
Agreement : If you are Conquer d^ you and the Common^'
wealth are ruind, and the Kjng will be Ahfolute, and neg-
leEi Parliaments^ and Govern as he pleafcth. If ycu ccme
to an Agreement y it will either be fuch as you force him to^
or fuch as he is willing of : If the latter be the I{efult, it
may be done more eafily and cheaply before a War than af-
ter : If the former be the Iffue^ it can have no great
Strength ; for nothing Violent is lafiing. And if you
Conquer him, what are you the better ? He will flill be
Kjng, and confequently have the Power cf Avenging him--
felf in his Hands, The Pleas of thofe of the other
Stamp were of this Nature : // the Kjng be not to be
difpleas'd, then this Parliament fhould never have bin
call'd, Ship-Money fhould have gone on, and the Subje^s
Property and Parliaments have bin fuffer'd to be over-
thrown: Church Innovations fhould not have bin controul*d^
nor any Stop to the Suhverters of our Government and Li-
berties attempted. Then no Members fhould fpecl^ freely of
any of theje Things in the Houfe ; And what do we here ?
Could not the I^ng have pleas' d himfelf without us ? Or
4o we come to be his Inftruments to give away the Peoples
Liberties, and Ce$ up that which n begun ? Uither it is our

P 4 Duty

40 The LIFE of Chap, IV.

Jin. 1 64 1. Duty to I{eform^ and to I^covcr ciir Liberties, and ^^
lieve our Country, and Pitw'Jh Dclincjucnts^ or not ? If

- not J let us go Home again. If it bc^ let w do it, and truji

Qod. For if the Fears of fprefeen Oppp/ition /hall make us
betrr.y our Count fy and Poflerity, we are Perfidious to
them. Enemies to our /elves, and worfe than Infidels. As
/or a iVar, the Danger of it may be avoided. It is aThing
uncertain ; a-nd therefore a prefent certain l^*in, and that-
by our ovon Hand, is nqt to be cho/en to avoid it. The f\Jng
viay/ee the Danger of it as well as we^ and avoid it on bet-
ter Terms : Or if he were willing, he may not be able^ to
do any great Harm, Do you thin^ that the People of Eng-
land arc fo mad oi to fight againjl thofc whom they have
cho/en to repre/enP them ? To dejiroy themselves and the
Hopes nf their Pcfierity ? Do thty not know, that if Par'
liamcnts arede/troyd, their Lives and Ejiates are meerly of
the Wdl and Mercy 0/ the Conqueror ? And what fear of
I{cvengey when we miy continue, ^till we confent to our own
Di/folution ? Can we not avoid confenting to it^ *till we fee
our /elves cut cf the Danger of [{evcnge ? Thus were
Mens Minds divided : But fome unhappy Means fell
out to unite them, fo as to caufe thejn to proceed to a

The Tore- War. ^

runmrs of The King had a confiderable Party that adherd to
il7€ War. him, made up both of State PoUticians, and Friends
of the Ecclefiaftical Hierarchy; who jointly fetthem-
felves againll the Parliament, not only becaufe of their
apprehended Encroachments on the Civil Power, but
• alfo becaufe of the Church Reformation intended. But
the Country Party carry'd ail Things with a High
Hand, depending upon the Aiififtancc of true hearted
Englipcmen if Matters came to Extremity. Many
Things fell in to heighten Difconrents. The London
Apprentices (enco^^rag'd by fome Members of Parlia-
ment) in a Tumultuous Manner brought up their Pe-
titions to I'Vefmiv/icr. In one of I heir Progrcflbs they
met fome of the Bilhops going to the Houfe in their
Coaches: Forgetting Civility, they cry*d out, No Bi-
/}:>ops^ and flouted and ijifulied rudely. The Bifliops
hereupon in a Fright met together, and declaring
themlelvts Deterrd from their Attendance in Parliament
by Clamours and Tumults^ drew up a Proteftation again ft
aiiy Law that Ihould pafs in their Abfence. This was
fo refented by the Parliament, iliat they who fubfcrib'd

ii

Chap. IV. Mr. Elichard Baxter. 41

it were voted Ddinquents, and fent to Prifon, as ^i- An. 1^41.
tempting to deftroy the Power of ParJiaments. And e-
'ven Bifliop l-J^^U himfelf was one of ihem. Thcfc nu-
merous Petitioners were alfo very OfFenfive to the
King, infomuch, that when at another Time they
pafsM by M/hite-hall, they were fet upon by fome of
hi§ Cavahers, who laying hold of fome cf them, cut
off their Ears. There was another Scuffle about M^dji-
minfier^ Abbey ^ when Sir i{ich^rd W.Jcman^ that Head-
ed them, waskill'd by a Stone from the Abbey Walls.
Thefe Tumults made the King not think himfelf fafe,
either in the City or near it.

Great were the Jealoufies between him and his Par-
liament. He diftrufted them, as thinking they bore
hard upon him in every Thing ; and they diOrufted
him without any Dependence upon his Declarations or
Prooaifes. They were confident he was immoveable as
to his Judgment and AfFedions, and that whatever be
granted them was" but in Defign to get his Advantage
utterly to deftroy them ; and that he did but warch for
fuch an Opportunity. They fuppos'd that he utterly
a^bhorr'd them, and their Adions againft his Ship- Mo-
ney, his Judges, Biftiops, ^c, and charging him with
the Brench of former Promifes^ they durft not take his
Word in any Thing. This their Diffidence was many
ways encreas'd. The two Armies of Scots and Engllfh
remain'd undisbanded in the North, 'till the Parliament
Ihould provide for their Pay. The EngUfh Army want-
ing Pay, were Difcontented : Hereupon rhey enter-
tained a Defign to inarch fuddenly up to London^ and
Matter the Parliament. This being difcover'd, feveral
of the Chief Officers (as Sir Jncob Aftley, O Keal^ and
Sii Fulk^Himkj) wereexamin'd, and confefs'd T/?^ryor«e .
ne^r the Kjng^ h/id treated with them nbout bringing up the
Army. Which Examinations were publilh'd, and faiis-
fy'd many, That the K^ng did but wntch vohiie he quieted
them with Promifes^ to m^fter them by Force^ and ufe them
at h« Pleafure. The Parliament, to prevent any Infalts,
provided themfelves with a Guard, which they took to
be their Priviledge. The Kiag difcharging them, fet
another Guard upon them of his own choofing. This
nvade them look like Prifoners ; and they fear'd they
who made up the Guard appointed by the Kiog, would

if

42 The LIFE of Chap. IV.

jin. 1541. if commanded become the Executioners of his Wrath
upon them. Upon which they difmiflcd them, and
caird for a Guard of the City Regiments. At length
the King, being advis'd no longer to ftand by and fee
himfelf Affronted, took an unprecedented Step in go-
ing fuddenly to the Houje of Commons, with a Com-
pany of Cavaliers with Swords and Piftols, to charge
five of their Members, vi:{. Mr. Pirn, Mr. Hampden,
Mr. Hollis^ Mr. Strovod^ and Sir Arthur HnJJerigg, and
and the Lord Kjmbolton^ ( afterwards Earl of Mm-
chejler, and Lord Chamberlain ) with High-Treafon,
Had they bin there, it was fuppos'd they would have
bin feiz'd by Force ; bnt upon Notice before-hand,
they abfented themfelves, retiring into the City.
The Houfe was hereupon Allarum'd, as if their Li-
berties or Lives muft be affaulted by the Sword, if
they pleas'd not the Court 5 and thereupon they
prefently Voted this A£tion, a Breach of their Privi-
iedges^ and an Effe^}of the Kjr/gs-Evil CcunfeHcrSy and
publilh'd their Votes, to awaken the People to refcue
ihem, as if they were in apparent Danger. The
King being difappointed, publifheth a Paper, in
which he chargeth the aforefaid Perfons with Treafon,
as ftirring up the Apprentices to Tumultuous Peti-
tioning, &c. But confeffeth his Error in violating their
Priviledges.

Not long after, the Lord Dighy and feme other Ca-
valiers, attempted at Kjngfton upon Thames to have
•fuddenly got together a Body of Horfe, which the
Parliament highly refented. But the Party was difli-
pated, and he was Voted a Delinquent, and orderM to
be Apprehended : But he fled to France, and thence
wrote to the King, ( which Letters were intercepted )
advifing him to retire from the City to fome Place of
Strength : Which they tool^ as an Advice to make open
War upon them.
The Irifh ^"^ x.\itxt was nothing that wrought fo much with
Majfacre ^^^ People as the Iri/h Maflfacre and Rebellion. The
mnd Rebel' ^^'7^ Papifts made an unexpedted Infurredion in all
/ion. Parts of that Kingdom at once, and feiz'd upon al-

moft all the Strong Places in the Land, and it was
very wonderful chat Dublin efcap'd, which was to
have bin furpriz'd with the reft, OHcb, 23. 1641.

they

Chap. IV. Mr. Richard Baxter. j^-^

they murther'd Two Hundred Thoufand Perfons.
Men, Women and Children were moft

cruelly us'd, the Women ript up and ^^^^ ^"' John Temple'*
treated moft Filthily and Barbaroufly, ^'V/ory ; Dr. Junts'j .v^r,
and Infants us'd like Toads or Vermin. '•'<^»t'^ "f f/^e f-v^m/n^^-
Thoufands of thofe who efcap'd, came '^^'^ff^'^'^rlofOvt,-
Stript and-almoft FamilVd to Dublin, ^1 ^M^^^ toaV<tu,,n.
and afterwards into England to beg their Bread. Mul-
titudes of them were driven together into Rivers, and
caft over Bridges and Drown'd. Many Witnefles fwore
before the Lords Juftices, That at Portdovon-Bridge^
a Vifion every Day appcar'd to the PalTengers of
Naked Perfons, landing up to the Middle in the
River, and crying out ^evenge^ Revenge, In a Word ;
fcarce any Hiftory mcntloneth the \i]<i,Q. Barbarous
Cruelty with this. The Irijh deciar'd, they had the
King's Commiffion for what they did : And many e-
ven at that Time, weighing all Circumftances, be-
lieved as much, while others reprefented it as an hor-
ridly Unjuft and Scandalous Afperfion upon his Ma-
jefly ; but as Providence orderd it, a certain Memo-
rable Particularity help'd to fet this Matter in a juft
Light. The Marquefs of Antrim^ who was a Noted
Man among the Lijlo Rebels, having had his Eft ate
Sequeftred, tho't fit, upon the Reftauration of King
Charles the Second, to fue for the Reftitutioii of ic.
The Duke of Ormond and the Council judg'd againft
. him as one of the Rebels. Whereupon he bro'c his
Caufe over to the Kin^, and affirm'd, That what he
did was by his Father's Confent and Authority; and the
King referred ic to fome worthy Members of his Privy-
Council, to examine what he had :o fhew. Upon
Examination, they reported, That they found he hnd the
Kings Confent, or Letter of InftruHlons for what he did,
which amaz'd many. Hereupon King Charles wrote to
the Duke of Ormond and the Council, To reftore his^ E-
ftate, becaufe it appear'd to thofe appointed to Exa-
mine it, that what he did was by his Father's Order
or Confent. The Lord M^tT^arine, and others in Ire-
land^ not fully fatisfy'd with this, tho't fit fo far to
profecute the Matter, as that the Marquefs of Antrim
was forc'd to produce in the Houfc of Commons a Letter
of King Charles the Firft, by which he gave him Order
for ihe taking up Arras, which being read in the Houfe,
- ' ^ produc'4

44 The LIFE of Chap. IV.

Jin. 1541- produc'd a general Silence. * The whole Account
^ jjj ^ of it, with a great many furprizing Particulars, was
in many P^t)lifh'd in a Pamphlet call'd. Murkier will out, Ac
JPamphlets the Time when this Barbarity was committed, all Eng-
ieen Ye- ^^^^ ^as fiU'd wi[h Fear. People were afraid both of
fictled on ^^^ ^^'7^ and of the Papifls at Home : Infomuch, that
vrith great '^htn the Rumour of a Plot was fpread about a little
Seyerity, after in Londcn^ the Poor People all the Countries over,
ferinfertlng were ready either to run to Arms, or hide themfelves,
this Paf' thinking the Papifts were coming to cut their Throats.
f^e of the YhQ Parliament was folicitous to fend Help to Dubtw,
^r^Kc/} to prevent its being loft. The King prefs'd to go over
Th "w^T ^'"^^^^^i ^^^^1 which nothing could be more difagreeable
ofammons ^^ ^^em, who were afraid leaft getting at the Head of
has been ^^^ Armies he fliould unite them both againft them,
told 'if it in ^"^ ^y ^^^ Abfence make a Breach, and hinder the Pro-
a Letter to ceedings of the Houfes. The few that were left in
them^fpreai Dublin, defended themfelves, tho' under prefling Necef-
timongft fities, andfcnt over Word, That the lnih.threntned, that
them before

the ^oth of January ^ and I hare had hard Katnes given me by federal. But
if they kpouU conftder that I report it from Mr. Baxter, it might abate their
Cenfures. If he was imposed upon in this Matter^ I cannot J)elp it. I don't
iook upon my felf as refponjible for the Truth of it. jind fet had I found
they had any of them difproy'd it^ I /hould hare forbnrn infertinq^ it. That
fome of the Irifli Rebels did counterfeit the King^s Commijfon, is not call'd in
iQueftion by this "Relation. That may hare fufficient ^roof : And yet if a
Letter ryas actually produc'^d in the Houfe of Commons^ from King Charles
the Firfi to the Marquef of Antrim, impowering him to take up Arms^ I
don't fee hov? He can be charg'd vfitb any fuch Counterfeiting. And if King
Charles was thereupon fatisfy'd to let the Marque fs keep his Lftate, I can-
not fee why others Jhould be fo dijiurbed that Fojierity fI)ould knoKp it.
But let the TaCl of the Letter be difproVd 5 let a true Copy of the Letter
that was read in the Houfe of Commons, ( the Original of tpinch I am in*
form'd was once in the Taper Office wherever it is now ) be publifl)''d to the
World, with Evidence of its being genuine ; and let it appear that that Let-
ter gave the Marquefs no Order or Commiffion to take up Arms, and no fur-
ther Diflurbance need be feared from this Story. J ^jan't give any Credit to
it my felf:, and would readily ufe my Endeavours to fatisfy others^ if they
fiould be fo weak ai ftill to believe it. And I don't fee that any Thing far-
ther can be reafonably dcfird of me. Whoever was the Author of the Tampit-
let call d Murder will out, if he vfas the Author of the Letter too ; or if the
Letter was not to the Furpofe mention J^ 'tis an horrid Impofition on the Horld:
But if tlje Letter was Genuine, and to the Purpofe mentioned, it defences fo»-
(iieration : And lUl this ii difproyeii Out-Crys are injtgnifcant,

when

Chap. IV. Mr, Kichard Baxter. 45-

TQhen they had done with the ha?jdful thnt wai left in An. i ^a\ .
Ireland, they would cowe/wfo England, and deal with the
Parliament and Protefiants here, Thefe Threatnings
v%7ith the Name of 200000 murder'd, and the Recital
of the monftrous Cruelties of thofe Canibals, made
many Thoufands in England think, that nothing could
be more neceflary than for the Parliament to put the
Country into an Armed Pofture, for their own Defence.

At length the King leaves London, and goes North- Tf^e opening
ward, and marches to Hull, where Entrance was de- ^/^^'^^ *^'»'^-
ny*d him by Sir John Hotham. The Parliament pub-
Jifh'd their Votes to the People, That the Kjng mijlcd by
Evil Coimfely was raifing a fVar againfl his Parliament,
They nam'd Lord Lie^i tenants for the Militia of the fe-
verai Counties, and the Kingnam'd others by aCommif-
fion of Array, and each command the faid Lord Lieute-
nants to fettle the Militia : And both King and Parlia-
ment publifh'd their Declarations, jaftifying their Caufe.
The Parliament chofe the Earl of E/Z'e.v for General, and
refolve to raife an Army, for, the Defence of Kjng and
Parliament^ and the Liberties of the SubjeHs, agaivji Evil
Counfellours and Delinquents', They publifli'd a Remon-
ftrance of the State of the Kingdom, and a Declara-
tion of the Caufes of their taking up Arms : Which
two Writings contain the Sum of their Juftification.

. The King went to Nottingham, where he fet up his

Standard. There were but about 2000 that came in to
him there ; whereas the Londoners quickly filFd up a
Gallant Army for the Earl of EJfcx, and the Citizeris
bro't in their Money and Plate, and the Women their
Rings to Guild-hall^ for the paying them. The King from
Nottingham offered a Treaty, and fent fome General Pro-
pofals. The Parliament fent him Nineteen Propofals
'of their own : Oflfering, That if he would disband his Ar-
myy come to his Parliament, give up Delinquents to a
legal Courfe of Jufiice, &C. he fhould find thm Dutiful,
The Great Bone of Contention was the Militia. The
King pleaded, *Twas his by Law, and would not part
with the Power of it. The Parliament pleaded, ^ That
as Things flood, they muft eltijer fecure it, or give uj*
the Proteftant Religion^ the Laws and Liberties of the
Land, and their own Ncckj, to the iViil of Papifls and
■pslinihms.

In

46 The LIFE of Chap. IV.

An, 1641. In this Conteft between King and Parliament, the

/-f^^,.^'//^'"wemoverto him. A great Part of the Knights and
adherd to Gentlemen of EmUnd adhcx'd to him, except in Mid-
the King dlefex, Ejfex, Suffolk^, Norfclk^^ and Camhridge-Jhire,
and to //% where the King never came with his Army. Moft of
Parliament. ihtw Tenants follow'd them, and moft of the poorer
Sort of People throughout the Nation. On the Parlia-
ment's Side, were the fmaller Part of the Gentry in
moft Counties, and the greateft Part of the Tradefmen
and Freeholders, and the middle Sort of Men, efpe-
cially in thofe Corporations and Countries which de-
pend on Cloathing^ and fuch Maniifadiiires. To them
alfo adher'd the far greater Part of thofe thro* the Na-
tion, who were Friends to a Religious StriHnefs, and
Enemies to Formality and Profanenef's,S:ipeYftition and Im-
mar/i/ity. It was not indeed properly Bellum Epifcopalc^
the Bifhops War, tho* by many fo ftil'd. For Thou-
fands that wilh'd for Good Bi/bops^ were on the Parlia-
ments Side. But the Generality of thofe who were call'd
Puritans and Precifiatis^ and were for Serious Godlinefs,
both Minifters and People adher'd to the Parliament.
On the other Side, they who were for Lonfenejsf Sxvear^
ing^ Garni fig, and Drinking ; the Minifters and People
who were againft the ftri^ Obfervation of the Lord's-
Day^ and fond of Dancing and Recreations at thofe fa-
cred Seafons, that plac'd all their I{eligion in going to
Church, and hearing Common- Prayer^ that were againft:
ferious Preaching, and for running down all thofe who
were ftri(^er than therofelves, ihefe adher*d aJl along to
the King. Which one Conftderation was the Thing
that determin'd many fober and honeji Perfons which
Side to take. The Nation was long before divided
SomeRefle-\^[Q two Parties, with refpedt to i^r/zj^»c«5 Matters^ the
^lom on brief Confideration of the Rife and Progrefs of which
^.^^^^i^'/^'^'Divifion, adds not a little Light to the yiniincfities
y £>'/- ^ijjcj^ ^ejg aj fjj^j Time on Foot. ' Thus then ftood

t]TZt!!^n f he Cafe.

from the ^^ unhappily fell out in the Days of Qjieen M-iry,
Time of the ^^^^ ^^^ ^pformcrs being Fugitives at F'nnkford, fell in-
Reforma- ^^ ^ Divijhn : One Part of them were for Diocefans^
tion, and the Engli/h Litwgy and Ceremonies^ that they might

no

Chap. IV. Mr. Richard Baxter. 47

no more than needs depart from the PapiftSf nor feem -^- '^41.
Inconftant by departing from what King Edward had
begun. The other were for Calvin s Difcipline and H^ay
of PVorpoip ; for the fetting up of Parochial Difcipline in-
ftead of Diocefan ; and to have a Government in every
particular Church, and not only One over a Thoufand
or many Hundred Churches ; and for a plain and fe-
rious Way of Worlhip, fuited as near as polTible to the
Word of God.

Thefe two Parties returning into England^ the D/o-
cefan Party got Queen Eli:{abeth\ Countenance, and were
Prefert'd, and their Way fet up. The other Party
Fetition'd, and Hop'd, and Waited, but were Difcoun-
tenanc'd, Rebuk'd, and by Law Supprefs'd. The Dif-
countenanc'd Party were fervent Preachers, and of Ho-
ly Lives: And fo were many of the Bilhops alfo in
tbofe Days. Had they who fucceeded them been herein
generally like them, they had in all Probability been
more Honour'd and lefs AiTaulted. But when Jewel,
Pill{inton^ Grindal, and fuch like were dead, many fuc-
ceeded them, who were Men of another Stamp. The
filenc d Oifciplinarians (as they were ftil'd ) did by their
Writings, fecret Conference and Preaching, and their
Godly Lives, work much upon fuch as were Religioufly
addicted. So that this Opinion fpread very much,
Thtit a j'uft Parochial Difcipline would very much I{eform
the Church, and that Diocefam by excluding it cherifh'd
Vice, The Prelatical Party finding their Places and
Power, Lands and Lordlhips, aflfaulted by this Opinion,
tho*t it necelfary more and more to fupprefs the Promo-
ters of it. Hereupon, putting Epifcopacy, Liturgy and
Ceremonies into theSubfcriptions which they impos'd on
all that would be Miniflers or Schoolmaftcrs, they kept
and caft out many worthy Men. For fome that were
for Liturgy and Ceremonies, were not for Diocefans, but
for Parilli Difcipline ; and fome that were for Bifliops
were not for the Ceremonies ; and fome that were for
the reft, yet fcrupled fome one 5 and he that could not
fubfcribe to all, was forbidden to preach the Gofpel :
Whereas in the mean Time, many Btfliops Preach'd
but feldom, and abundance of Places had ignorant Rea-
ders who could not Preach, qr weak Preachers whofe
Performances were very mean, and ipany of them were

alfo Scandalous in their Lives.

Hereupon

48 The LIFE of Chap. IV.

ubt. 1541. Hereupon, the Difciplinarians cry'd out of the Seve-
rity and Impofitions of the Prelates, and the Ignorance
and Scnnd.ilous Llvet of many of their Minifters : And
they on the other Side, vehementJy inveigh'd againft
the Noficonformijls. They call'd them Puritans^ which
was the Name whereby they were commonly known.
And in Procefs of Time, the Vidous Multitude call'd all
Puritans that were Strict and Serious in a Holy Life,
tho' ever fo Conformable. So that the fame Name in
a Bifhbp's Mouth, fignify'd a Nonconfonniji ; and in an
ignorant Drunkard's or Swearer's Mouth, a God/y Ohe"
(iiAjt Chriftian, Now the ignorant Rabble hearing
that the Bt'/hops were againft the Puritans, were the more
embolden'd againft all thofe which they gave that
Name to, and their Rage againft the Godly was the
more encrcas'd ; and they cry'd up the Bi/hops, partly
becaufe ihey were againft the Puritans, and partly be-
caufe they were earneft for that Way of Worfhip
which they found moft fuitable to their Ignorance,
Carelefnefs and Formality ; and thus the Intereft of
the Diocefans, and of the Prophane and Ignorant Sort
of People, v/as unhappily twifted together in the
Nation.

Many alf<) were much fet againft the Bi/h^ps, by
obferving Men of Parts and Piety (ilencd, while in-
fnfficient and vicious Men were encourag'd and pre-
ferred among the Clergy, and many Thoufands of the
People were perifhing in Ignorance and Sm, for want
of Help. And it not a little difturb'd them, to fee
Fafting and Praying, and other Religious Exercifes
which they found Beneficial, fo ftridlly look'd after,
and punilh'd in the High Commijfioyi and the Bifhops
Courts^ as if more Perilous than Common Swearing
and Drunkenncfs prov'd to the Ungodly : And it ad-
ded to their Difturbance, to have a Book publifh'd for
Recreations on the Lord's- Day , with the Biiliops Appro-
bation, as if they concurr'd with the Profane : That
Afternoon Sermons and Le&urcs, tho' carry d on by Con-
formable Men, were put down in divers Counties :
Thar fo great aNumber of ConformableMinifters were
fufpendcd or punifhed for not Reading the Book ot Sports,
or about Altars, (3c, And fo many Thoufand Fami-
lies, and many worthy Minifters, driven out of the
Land : That Bowing towards Altars, and other Inno-
vations

Chap. rv. Mr, aichard Baxter. .^

' — — — — 47

vations, .fere daily bro't in by the Hyper-Conformijis An. 164.
none knowing where they would end : And finally ^

That the B.lhops proceeded fo far, as to fwear Men to
their whole Government by the Et c.vrcm OatL and
that thejf ,,pp. cv dofShip-Momy and other fuch Encroach-
ments on their Civil Inrerefts. Thefe were the Caufes
why lo many of thofe who were counted moft Reli-
gious telj m with the Parliament.

It hath indeed been alFerted, rhni it was Seditious
Preachers who /itn d up the People, and were the Caufc of
all the Commotions. Which is a notorious Falfitv
Many indeed there were, who difcover'd their diflikfe
ot the- Book of Sports, and Bowing to Altars, and
Diminilhing Preaching, and Silencing MiHifters ^c
and were glad that the Patliameiic attempted a Reforl
Ration ; but very few even of thefe ftirr'd up to War
but were fearful of the Gonfequences : But this is cer-
tain. That whether they did fo more or lefs, they were
almoft all of them Conformsble Mihifters, the Laws
and 3ifliops having caft out the No?ico,?fo>TniJ} s'hng
eno before. They who made up the Affembjy im/i-
m^fter, and who thro* the Land were the Honour of
rhe Parliament's Party, were almoft all fuch as had
till then Gonform'd, and tor k thofe Things to be Law-
ful in Cafe of Neceflity, but jong'd to have that Nccef-
iity remov'd.

. ^ Having afterwards the Advantage to be on theRiHn^
Side, it had undoubtedly been both their Wifdotn and
the Nations Intereft, to have kept fome Bounds with-
out running Things to Ejftremity. Had they endea-
vour'd only the Ejedion of Lay-Chancellours, the
Reducing the Diocefles to a narrower Compafs, or ihc
Setting up a Subordinate Difcipline, and the Corredt-
ing and Reforming the Liturgy , fo as to leave nothing
juftly Exceptionable, in all Probability it had been pa-
tiently born, and the Confufiohs the Nation afterwards
run into had been prevented. There is good Reafon to
fuppofe it, becaufe BifllOp Vjher, fVilUams, and Morton^
and many othet Epifcopal Divines w^ich them, agreed
in certain Points of Reformation *, They had Cenfur'd * ^ t^>H
the moft remarkable Innovations^ both in Doi5lrine and ^*^?" '** *^^
Difcipline ; andconcurr'd in altering the Common-Prayer^ ^*""^* ^'Z**
fp as to obviate the Objections againft it ; and if any ^^^' ^^9-
Thing of this NaciKe would have fuific'd, bad been like-

E ly

JO The LIFE of Chap. IV.

* Thii ii ly to have fallen in heartily with the Parliament's Inte-
contradifi- reft: But finding an univerfal Change inliftedon, and
edhyBijho^ t\\2Li nothing iliort of the utmoft Extremity would fa-
Hacket *« risfy, they lurn'd againft the Parliament and their Inte-
his Life 0/ reft, and were as much difpleas'd as any ; except Arch-
J^n '* Bifhop PVUliams. who afterwards took up Arms for the
^'/^^^ Parliament*

TheReafotti The Reafons alledg'd by thofe who adhered to the
of the Far- Parliament, were briefly thefe. They tho't the Dan-
liamenta- get of the State evident from fundry Matters of Fadk.
rians' Ship-Money they found threatned the Overthrow of

Property. Many Parliaments had been dilfolv'd in
Difpleaiure, after they had been long forborrt The
calling up the Army, and demanding the Members,
fatisfy'd them that the Ruin of the Parliament was de-
fign'd. And the Murder of fo many Thoufand* in
Ireland convinc'd them they were far from being Se-
cure, while Men of the like Malignity were prote^ed,
and could not be kept out of Arms, nor bro't to Ju-
ftice. They tho't the Prefervation of a Kingdom was
fuch an End to aim at, as would make any neceffary
Means lawful, which God himfelf had not forbidden.
The Parliament having a Part in the Legiflative Pow-
er, they tho*t had fo far inherently a Power to defend
it, which no Law can fuppofe them to give away :
And as the Peoples Reprefentatives they fuppos'd them
intrufted to fecure their referved Liberties, which the
Law givcth not the King any Authority to take away.
. They tho'c that the Judgments and Executions of the
Courts of Juftice, being the Effeciis of Laws which
King and Parliament have made, are of greater Au-
thority than contrary Commiflions or Commands from
the King alone. It confirmed them to hear it own'd
fo generally, that the Sheriffs of Counties may in fome
Cafes rai^c the Pojfc Comitatus^ tho' the King forbid ir,
or grant a Commilfion to hinder it. They faid, That
it belongeth to the Parliament to judge its own
Members ; and that if on Pretence of punilhing fuch
of tjicm as ^o offend, the King may come and fetch
away, or denr.and thofe that difpleafe him, Parlia-
ments and Liberties, and all the Security of them is
gone. Many were confirm'd by the King's Anfwer to
their Propofitions, wherein it was declar'd, That the
Legijlntive Poxver woi in Kjngy Lords and Commons j and

thn%

Chap. IV. Mr. Richard Baxter. 5 1

that the Government was mix*d, and not Arhitrnry -

which they thought it muft be,if his Commiflions were

of greater Power than his Laws and Courts, and if no

'Refiftance might be made againft fueh as executed an

• Illegal Commiffion. The War ( they (aid ) was not a-

gainft the King, but his Delinquent Subjeds. They

pleaded, Bnrclrjy, Grotius de Jure Belli & Pact's, Hooker

' and Bilfiif, who all own the Lawfulnefs of Refinance

in fome Cafes, and in fuch Circumftances as thciirs

then were. Grotius fays particularly, Thr.r if fevernl

Perfons have a Part in the Summa Poteftas, ( of which

Legiflatiori is a Chief AH ) each Part hath naturally the

Power of defending its own Intereji in the Sovereignty^ a-

gainft the other Part if they invade it. And that if in

fuch a PVar they Conquer, the Conquered Party loofeth to .

them Im Share. hvAihiLi this h^o tvnc, ihtt it holdcth,

tho the Law expre/Iy fay^ That one of the Parties floal I have

the Power of the Militia : It being to be underjicod that

he fhaS have it againft Foreign Enemies, and Delinquents^

iind not againft the other Part, But to go on with the

Hiftory.

\ '■ The King marching from Nottingham to Shrewsbury^ A further
'fiird up bis Army out of Shro-pfhire^ fVorceftcrfkire, He- Account of
refordfldire, and H^nles. And the Earl of Effex march'd ^M ^^***
-^ith a Gallant Army to iVorceJler, Many excellent ■^' '^42*
Divines were Chaplains to the feveral Regiments.
Mr. Stephen Marfhnl and Dr. BurgeJJ, to the General's
own Regiments. Mr. Obndinh Sedgwick^, to Col. HoU
Iks Regiment. Dr. Calibute Downijig^ to the Lord i^o-
berts's Regiment. Mr. John Sedgwicf^, to the Earl of
Stamford's Regiment. Dr. Spurftow, to Mr. Hamf den's.
Mr. Perkins^ to CoI. Goodwln\, Mr, Moor, to the
Lord iVhdrtons. Mr. Adoniram Byfieldy to Sir Henry
■Cbolmley's. Mr. Nalton, to Col. Grantham's. Mr. Si-
mean A/h^ either to the Lord Brook's or the Earl of
Manchefter's, Mr. Morton of Ncw-Caftie, with Sir
Arthur Haflerigg's Troop. With many more. On
OBober the 23d 1 642, was the Battle at Edge-Hill, be-
tween the two Armies ; in which the Advantage was
on the ParliamentsSide. The King^s Army drew off to-
wards Oxford ; and Effcxs towards Coventry, for Re-
frefliment. There were a great many other Fights,
particularly related by the Hiftorians of thofe 1 imes,
who may beconfultcd by fuch as therein dcfirc Infor-

E % mation.

52 .i-y.^ili-^i^ 1^ ^^^^9:}^'

. mation. But ti\aj; ^i^[Hich upon . the Whple was the
g^^ac^Caufe of j xhp Par J laments Strength, and the
Kings Ruin, was that ih^ Debauched RabfcJe thro the
I.and emVoIdenM, by his Gentry, and feconded by the
Cooapnon Solaier^j(?:f hi5 Army, toi k aJl.that were call d
Bplyr/tns for their Bjp^mies. And il^' fume of the
K'ngs Gentry and ouperl>ur Officers we^e fo Civil,
vthac they would do no. fuch Thing, ycc that was no
i Security to the Country, while the Multitude did woat
they Jiit. So that if any one was noted for a ftnd: and
fanious Preacher, or fgr a Man of a Pious Life, he was
either plun^'crcd or a{}ufed, and in danger of his Life.
•And . if a Man did but pray in his Family, or wei:e
buc heard r»'p-.-.^t' a Sermon, or (ing,a,Pfalro, they pie-
. fently c^y'd cui: £{cifcis, H^undhcadsy ar^d all their Money
artd G001I5 that were portable, prpv'd Guilty, how Jn-
pdcenc loever they were themfciN es. This was it that
filled the Armie$ and C»arr Tons of tne Parliament with
Sober, Pi®us Men'. Thoufands had no Mind to med-
dle, Nvith the Wafp,' bjit greatly deiired to iive Peace-
ably at Home, when tlx- Rage of Soldiers and Drun-
'- kards would not lirfFer them. Some :fiay'4 'dll they
had, bern Imprifori'd. Some 'till^hey had been Plun-
der d twi' e or .thrice over, and hadj nothing leff
thcrn.. Some; were qmte ured oir^c : wiih the Abufe of
all Comers Th^-quarrer d on ihcm ; and fome b> the
Jo'olenoy of ff>ferii KeighboL-rs. But nijoft were afraid
An 16 A A, ' -heir Live and fp fought Refuge in the Parliament'^

. ' TJlons.
qP ^ /^ _ 'ftcr-thc War had been carry 'd on for /ome Time,
/ • r/V'*'<' ' Great Ut)ceitainty in what it would/lflbe; there

ti 't Jtng.h. a great Change made on the Parlia-

Side, which had confiderable ' Confequences.
; Ear] of *\lftx being weakened by a great Lofs in
ffrf /, was laid by, and another General chofen.
The Bcnfoti.^ given lor this Change were thefe. Becaufe
of rhe Dijf'lutenejs of many of bis Soldiers, who were
grown too like the King's Soldiers in Profancnefs and
L xtdf?rfs : And withal, it was urg*d, That the Re-
volt of Sir Faithful Fortcfcue, Sir ^chard Greetiville^
Colont- J Vny^ and others, was a fuificient Evidence,
that they who had not a Senfe of Religion, were not
much to be truRed, but might ea(iJy be hired by Mo-
ney to betray (hem. It was dUcover'd> That the

Cari't

Chap. IV. Mr, Kichard Baxter.

5^

Earl's Judgment was againft Ending the War hy the
Sword, and that he and the wifeft Men ab >ut hiai
were for aiming only to Force a PntljicntoryT.eaty^ and
againft a Conqueft. For he tho't, if the Kiug ihouJi
Conquer, the Government of the Kingdom would be-
come Arbitrary, and the Subjeds Property and Libe/cy
would be loft : And that if he fhould Conquer, the
Parliament would fwaljow up the Prero'rativc of the
King, and the PrhiUdges of the Lords, aiid not krow
bow to fettle the Eihte of the Kingdom or the Church,
without injuring others, and running into Extreams'
and falling into Divisions amongft themfeJ es. And
therefore the New Regulators tho't that bv Delay, he
gave the King an Advantage, and wearied out and
ruin'd the Country ; aiid faid, TW/z^ Edge-Hill, New*
bury, and other PUces, he had not profecuted his Vitiory^
hut flood ft ill^ andjavp the Kjngs Army I^treat^ andtipver
purfud them^xvhen it had been eafy to have ended the M^.irs.
But the main Spring of the Alreration, was the Preva-
Jence of the SeBarian Intereft in the Houfe, joyn'd
with Cromvpcl^s in the Army, which now began to can y
all before it. Many honeft and intelligent People in-
deed were for new Modelling the Army, putting out
the Loofer Men, and taking in thofe who were mo^e
ftridt and fober, but Vane and Cromwel joining toge-
ther, outwitted and over-reacht the reft, and earned
on their own Particular Intereft fuccefsfuUy. The Me-
thod they took for comparing this Defign wicho^t Di-
fturbance, by ftirring up againft ihemfeh es the Forces
they disbanded, was hy 2iS elf-denying Vote in the Houfe,
pafs'd to this Purpofe : That becavfe Commands in the
Army had much Pay^ and Parliament Men foould keep to
the Service of the Hou/cy therefore no Parliament Men
Jhould be Members of the Army, This put out at once
the Earl o^ Effex, and Earl of Manchefter, the two Ge-
nerals; ^ndSiiiVilliam Waller, a valiant Major- Gene-
ral, an4 a great many Colonels j and to avoid Sufpi-
lion, Cromwei himfeif was put out at the firft. They
then chofe for General Sir Thomas Fairfax, Son to the
Lord Ferdinando Fairfax, who had been in the Wars
beyond Sea, and had foughc valiantly for the Parlia-
ment in Tork/hire. He was therefore chofen, bccaufe
neither too Great nor too Cunning to be commanded
by the Parliaoiem j nor toofubtilfor Cromwel to make

E J a Tool

54 The LIFE of Chap. IV.

a Tool of. He being chofen, CromvoeCs Men could not
be without hirn : And therefore the Self-denying Vote
muft be thus far difpensM with, That Cromnelxr\2i^ be
in the Army, tho' no other Member of the Houfe were
allow'd it 5 and To he was made Lieutenant-General.
An. i(54<;. The Army being thus new Modell'd, was really in
Ciomwci's the Hands ot Crc??iwel, tho* feemingly under Fairfjix's
Jnterefi in Command. Not long after the Change, was the Fight
the New- at Nafehy^ where the King's Army was totally routed
7nodeIl^d and put to flight, and about 5000 Prifoncrs taken, with
'^'''"•^'''"^ all the Kings Ordnance and Carriage, and abundance
^l'','- ^ ^^ of his own Letters to the Queen and others inhisCabi-
-'^ ' •^^' net: Which letters the Parliament printed, thinking
ihey contained furh Things as greatly clouded the Re-
putation of his Word and Cauie. Cromvoei in the Ar-
my did all, and chofe almoft all the Officers. He firft
made Ircfon Commiirary-General ; and wheii any
Troop or Company was to be difpos'd off, or any con-
fiderable Officer's Place was void, he was Cure to put
a St£lary into the Place And when the Brunt of the
War was over, he look'd not fo much at Valour as O-
pinion : So that by Degrees he had Headed the greaicft
Part of the Army with Anabaptifts^ Antihomians^ Scekr
ers or Scparatifts^ at bcft ; and he ty'd all together by
the Point of Liberty of Covfcience, which was theCom-
lyion Intere/^ wherein they united. At length the Par-
liament came to be fulicitous about keeping them from
An. 16 a6. Tumults and Difobedience. But Sir Heii^y Vane Confe-
Aft. 1547. ^^^"^^^"8 wi^h them, they procur'd 'the Hcufc to Dis-
band almoft all the honeft County Forces and Garri-
fons, which might have oppos'd them in their Defigns,
and fo the Army went on with little Fear of Oppo-
fition. The next Defign of Vane and Cromvocl was
to ufc the Army to model the Parliament. With this
Aim they ftir up the Houfe to pafs lome Votes, which
they km-w would be moft difpleafingto the Army, and
then ftir up the Army to the deepeft Refentn.ent. The
Parliament Voted, Tl:)at Part of the Army fhos'.d go for
Ireland, Pa^t be disbanded^ and Part continud. The Of-
ficers told the Army, This was to Divide them, and De-
prive them of their Pay^ And to get nn Advantage on them
to I{uin them oi ScFinrieSy &c. A rare Reward for all
their Services ! Ai Triploe-Heatb they emcr'd into an

Engagement;

Chap. IV. Mr. Richard Baxter. 55

Engagement to ftick together, and were drawing up a
Declaration of their Grievances. Col. Edward Hariey
acquainted the Houfe with it. Cromwel flifly deny'd it
and faid it was a Slander, akho' deep in the Secret, as
he afterward acknowledg'd, when he Headed them in
their Rebellion. The Parliament order'd all thar were
faithful to forfake them ; and feveral Officers, as Gene-
ral F/»c/7^r, Mz]oT ^Ifop^ Major Huntington, and others
with a confiderable Number of common Soldiers, did
fo ; but not being able to make a Body to refift them, it
prov*d a great Addition to their Strength. For now all
that were againft them being gone, they fiird up their
Places with Men of their own Mind, and fo were ever
after the more Unanimous, — —Upon this, Cromrvelznd
his Obedient L^mhs (as he call'd them) advanced in their
Defign, came nearer the City, anddrewupanlmpeach-
ment againft eleven of the moft adive Members of the
Houfe ; Sir Philip Stapleton^Slx H^iliiayn Lcwm, Col. HoU
liSy ^11 John Maynard^ Mr. Glyv, Col. Edward Hariey^ &CC.
And when they had forc'd the Houfe to feclnde them, as
under Accufation, they Jet fall their Suit, and never
profecuted them, nor proved them Guilty. Having ad-
vanced thus far, they expeded to havefeund the Houfe
very Pliable and Yielding, but were ftill difappointed.
The City took Courage, and under the Condud: of two
Major- Generals, Mnjfey and Pcint:^^ were for defend-
ing the Parliamenc againft the Army ; but the Army
fpeedily advancing, the Hearts of the Citizens fail'd
them, and they let the Army enrer the City in Triumph.
Whereupon, Majfey and Hollis, and others of the ac-
cufed Members, fled into France ; and among the reft
Sir Philip Stapletm^ who dy'd of the Plague x\g2.x Calais,

As for the King, when Oxford was Bfiieg'd by the Par- OftheKittg^i
liament's Forces, having no Army left, he efcap'd to the fi'i»s tothc
North, and call himfelf upon the Scots^ who lay there ^**^'"'^-'^ '- "^^d
with an Army. The Scots were puzled how to Oeer in ^'^^^ft^^*
this Critical Jundure ; To fend him back to the Englifh "^'j'f ^'■
Parliament, feem'd Unfaithful, when he had caft him-{j^^^ J^.^'^'f.
felf upon them : To keep him, would divide the two J^^^^^^//
Kingdoms, and be follow'd with a War from England,
for which they were not provided. After long Conful-
tations, the Terror of the Conquering Army made them
deliver him to the Parliaments Commiffioners, upon two
Cpnditions : That the King's Perfon Ihould be pre-

E ^ fov'd

56 The LIFE of Chap. IV.

f£rv*d in Safety and Honour ; And that their Army
ihould have half the Pay that was due to them advancM
immediately. The Parliament hereupon appointed
(Zo\. Greaves^ and Major- General Broven^ to attend the
King at Holmby-Houje in Nonhawptcvjhire. Cornet Joice
by Concert with the Leading Part of the Army, fetchc
him ihence, and kept him amongft them, till rhey canfie
to Hampton-Court^ where he was Guarded by Col.PVfoal-
ley. The Army fawn'd upon the King at firft ; they
blam'd the Aufterity of the Parliament, tvho had de-
ny'd him the Attendance of his own Chaplains ; and of
his Friends, in whom he took moft Pleafure. They gave
Liberty for his Friends and Cha|)lains to come to him,
and pretended that they would fave him from the In-
civilities of the Parliament and Presbyterians. And
vvhen the Parliament made him Propofals, they pre-
fented him with Propofals of their own. But all on a
fuddain they began to cry for Juftice upon him. A
Council of AgitatouYs was chofen among them, of
y/hich Colonel Jama Berry was President. They drew
up a Paper call'd, The Agreement of the People^ as the
Model or Form of a New Common-wealth. Cromrvel
feems to be againft them ; and while they were con-
tending, a Letter came to CoJ. iVnalleyy (from an un-
^cnown Hand ) intimating a Defign of rhefe Agitntotns
to Surprize and Murder the King. Some think that
this was fent from a Real Ftiend, but moft think it
•was contrived by Crorfiwel, to affright the King out of
the Land, or into fome defperate Courfe, which might
give them Advantage againft him. The Colonel gave
the King a Sight of the Letter; and be thereupon efca-
ped fecjretly with two Confidenrs only to the Jjle of
iVight^ committing himfelf to Col. Hnmmond^ who
was Governour of a Caftle there : And here Cromwel
bad him in a Pinfold, and was more fecure of him
than before. While the King was confin'd, feveral
Armies were rais'd in his Favour. One in Pembroke-
foire^ by Major- General Langbom ; another in Scotland,
by the Duke of Hamilton ; a third in Ksnt^ by the
Lord G'^ring • and a fourth in Ejjex^ by Sir Charles
Luc.is : But were all Defeated. At length the Parlia-
ment fent to the King, while he continu'd in this
Ifland, fome Propofitions to be confcnted to in order
tp his Reftot^tion. Some of them he Granted, and

others

Ghap. IV. Mr. Richard Baxter. 57

others he Refas'd. The chief Thing he ftuck at, was
The utter Abolifhirig of Epifcopacyy and the Alienating of
Bi'fhops^ and Deans and Chapters Lands. Upon which
Mr. Marfhal, Mr. Vines^ and Dr. Sejr?ian^ were fent
down as Commiflloners to difcourfe with him about it,
in order to his Satisfaction. They debated the Matter
with A^'C^I-Billiop ZJfhe , Dr. Hammond, Di\ Sheldon^
and others of the King's Divines. The Debates were
printed, and each Party thought they had the better.
Arch-Bifhopt^yfe."/ then ofFet'd the King his Redudi-
oh of Epifcopacy to the Form of Presbytery, which the
King would have accepted ; and had it been accepted oa
jhe other fide, might have be^n the Foundation of a .a-
0ing Agreement.

The King fending his Final Anfwers to the ParUa-
ment, there were warm Debates among thm, 14^ ether
they Jhotild acqwefc: in them Ji a fuyic^ent: ^y .und for
Peace? And at laft they Voted his Conceffions a iufficient
Ground for a Perfonal Treaty with him, and were fcr
fending for him up accordingly. But Crowxvel and his
Confidents, feeing all their Defigns would be utterly
(Jifappointed by this Method of Procedure, fent Col.
Pride to the Houfe with a Party of Soldiers, who
Guarded the Door. Such Members as were to their
Purpofe they let in, others they turn d away, and fome
they Imprifon'd ; and the Remainder of the Houfe was
henceforward caird the I{ump. The Secluded and Im-
prifon'd Members publilVd a Writing call'd their Vin-
dication; and fome of them would afterwards have
thruft into the Houfe, but the Guard of Soldiers kept
them out ; and the ks^mp were cry'd up for the only
Honeft Men. They pafb'd a Vote to eftablifh a Go-
vernment without a King and Houfe of Lords ; and fo
the Lords diflblv'd, and thefe Commons fate and did
all alone. They ereded an High-Court of Juftice \ v rhat the
brought the King to his Tryal, Condemned him, and Paf>isisth9*
ereded a Scaffold at White- Hall-Gate^ and there before they ABed

• behind the

Curtain^ had a conjiderahle Hani in thefe Commotions and their Tfagicallf-
fucy there is yery good Eyidence. In the CoUefiion of Letters at the end of
Dr. Parr's Life of Arch-Bi/hop Uflier, there is one written by Bp. Biamhall,
(then Abroad) to that Arch-B'i[hr>p. 'Tis Hum. 293. wherein is this Ac-
count. That in 1646. by Order from Rome, abore a i co of the Bomi/h
Cler^ were fent into England, confiUing o/Englini, Scots, andhi^^ who

58 The LIFE of Chap. IV.

had been K- 2i^yi\\ AlFcmbly of People Beheaded him. The Lord
ducatcd in General Vnhfax Itood by all the while, full of Regret,
1 iance,lt>i- [5^. Xrick'd and Oveipower'd by his Lieutenant. At
ly, Germa- ^.j^^ time of the King's Death, he was in wonderful
ny, ^ an Perplexity, and when Mr. CnUmy\^ and fome other Mi-
\[ho mere ^^^^^^ ^^^^ were with him, would have perfwaded him
moTl^ of ^^ Rcfcue the King, his Troubles fo confounded him,

them Soldi-
ers in the 'Parliament'' s jirmy, and- were to hold Correjpondence vith the Ro-
mamjls that jvae in the King's -A^^yi ^ho were not as yet admitted to the
Grand Secret. Upon conferring together in 1^47. enquiring into the Keafons
of each others Meafures^ they froduc'd Bulls ar.d Licenfes for their Warrant.
Upon tvhich^ ffeing their Capacity of haying Secret Influence^ they wrote to
their fereral Conrcnts, eJJ>ecially the Soibonifts, to kir^w whether the taking off"
the K'nir rva^ a Thing to be fcrupled ? ^The anfwcr return d was this^ That it
might Lawfully be done^ for Mother Churches Jldvancement. Agreeable where-
to is the Account given by Vr. Peter du Moulin in his Vindicaiion of the
Sincerity of the Proteftant Religion, written in Anfwer to a Jefuitical LI-
htl^ caWd Philanax Anglicus 5 where he tells ttf. That thi Tear before the
Kings Death-i a Sele£} Number of Englifh Jefuites were fent from their whole
Tarty in England, frfi to Paris, to confult with the Vacuity o/Sorbon, then
altogether Jefulted^ to whom they put this Quefiion in Writing ; That feeing the
5f<?fe o/' England i3?<«i /« a likely Frofpeit to Change Government^ whether it
was Larpful for the Catholich to work that Change^ for the Advancing and
Securing of the Cathalick Caufe /« England, by making away the King ? Which
was anfrver''d Affirmatively. After which, the fame Ter fans went to Komc^
•where the fame ^uefiion being propounded and debated, it was concluded by
the Tope and his Council, That it was both Lawful and Expedient for the Ca'
tholicks to promote that Alteration of Stale. U hen the blow was ailually gi-
ven, and ihe'FaU exclaimed again/l, the Pope commartded all the Papers about
that ^ueflion to be gather d and burnt. According to which Order, a Roma^
nift at Paris had a Copy of thofe Papers winch he had by him, demanded f-om
him-^ but he refusd to give it, and ff)ew'd it a Proteftant Friend of his.
This Account Vr. Du MouVm fir/i publiflfd in the Tear 1661. It immedi-
ately firuck a Terrour at Sonntrret-Houfe, where the Queen Mother then re-
fided with her jefuites nbcut her, and where jhc at thai time entertain'd the
very Lord who conduced the Jefuites in their Progrefs forementioned, as a
principal Officer of her Houfe. By her Means they demanded Juftice of the
King a;rainji this Author., for the Affront he had put upon them by publifh-
iHg fuch a Narrative. The DoHor offer d to give full Proof in Juflification
of his Report, whenfoever he was required by Autltbrity, and to produce liv-
"^ Wit>ujfes of the Truth of it. Upon confiiieratlon therefore they tho't it befi
to ktep Silence, not daring to exafperate him. And they injiftrd no farther
than that the Secretary of State, Sir William Morrice, jbould be ordered to
write to him, to charge him to forbear Printing any ihin^ for the future in
^ngiiih, tonfidermg it ts^as pot his Kative lAugua^ti TnU was accordingly

Chap. IV. Mr. Richard Baxter. 50

ihac they darft let no Man fpeak to him. Cromvod (as ^o«e. And
it was faid) kept him Praying and Confulting, 'till tlie ^^'°' '^-'^
Stroke was given. But when a Jictle atcer, War was /''^'^^ ^"^'^^
determined againft Scotltvd^ he laid down his Commiifi- ^'^^ ^^'»'
on, and never had to do with the Army more : And ^^/ fi'^^^^i^
Cromwel became General in his ftead. ^'^^' "^f^^^'

rvardsj and

lert^e asoft repeated-, y:t did they think fit to contime fiUnt, Tvithout eyer
ealUng him into ^te/tlon before the Judgci^ according to hn deflre ' To this
Mr. Piynn'5 Account may be added, who ift a Book called^ TIic 1 nw and Per-
feft Narrative, p 46. relates thU Pajfa're : That tiin<r Charjts, h^ylnr i„
the Treaty tn the Ifle of Wight, agreed to 5 firia b'iUs againft Pcp^ry'^ the
fefuites in France at a General Meeting there, prefently refoh d to brin'r' him
to jfuftice, and tah off hU Head, by the Torver of their Friends in the Army,
of which the King hirnfelf was certify d by an Exprefs from thence, a fid rpflyi
to provide againft it, but two Days before his Removal by the Army &otn
that IJland, in Order to thii Execution. All which confiderd, m.ike> the
'Saffage related by Mr. Baxter, in hit Hiflory, Tart 2. p. 373. muih the
more Credible ; the Story is this. One Mr. Atkins of GloccrlLrOiiie, Bro-
ther to Judge Atkins, being beyond Sea, with others that had fery'd KInr
Charles the Tirft, fell into intimate Acquaintance with a Tneft, that had
been (or then was) Governour nf one of their CoUedges in Flander^. They
agreed not to meddle with each other about Religion, and fo continued iheif
Triendfhip long. A little after the King was Beheaded, Mr. Atkins mec
this Prieft in London, and going into a Tavern with him, faid to him in
his Familiar way : What Bufmefs have you here i I'll warrant you
come about fome Roguery or other? Whereupon the Prieft told him, as
a Great Secret, That there were 50 of them here in London, who bj
Inftruftions from Cardinal Mazarine, did take care of Publick Affairs,
and had fate in Council, and debated the Queftion, Whether the Kin?
(hould be put to Death, or not? And that it was carry'd in the Aihi*-
mative, and there were but two Voices for the Negative , which
was his own and anothers. And that for his Part he could not
concur with them, as forfeeing what Mifery this would bring up-
on his Country. This Pajfage was fir ft trjd to Mr. Baxter, ij
Mr. James Stanfield, a Glocefterfhire Minifter , who had it fi-sm 3.V.
Alk'ins hirnfelf : And afterwards relating it to Dr. Thomas Goad, wljo
was well AccjuaiTtted with the faid Mr. Atkins, he deftred him to enquire
of him concerning it', and he afterwards told him, Tim Mr Atktm ai-
fur'd him it was true. Which Particularity of -^o of the Jcfuitical Crew
coming about that time from France w//// a Special Commijjt^n, agrees r cry
well with the Account given in a Book call'd, The Fiir Wijrning, printed
many Tears before ; wherein is thii pajfage : That ^O Prices were met
by a Proteftant Gentleman between Roan and Dicp, to whom they
(taking Iiira for one of their Party; declar'd, That rhey were going in-

TLc

6o The LIFE of Chap. IV.

to EngUni The Minifters all this Time generally Preach'd and

and would Pray'd againft Dinoyalty. Tbey drew up a Writing ro

take^Arms ^^^ ^^^^ General, (which was printed) declaring their

2plnlnt ^l^horrence of all Violence againft the Perfun of the

JlrZyl^nd ^^"^' ^"^ "'■g'"g tiioi and his Army to take heed of

endeavoux-

to be Ag^ltatour:.

ICotvithftand'.ng the Abundant Kyidenfe of the Concern of the Papifts
in this jifair, many haye taken tfte pccdom to Char^^e it on the Presbyieri-
ans, but -very unjujily. He that voould fee the7n fully Vindicated, may Con-
fitlt The Conformifts firft Plea for tlx Nonconformifts, vhere there is an
Appendix dejtgn'd on purpofe to wipe of tbat AJperfim. Their Carriage in
the vhole matter is tfure particularly related, and their Innocence cleared by
Authentlck Eridence.

^ In December, 1648. The General, and the Army fent to fey er at of the
City Ministers to meet the Officers of the Army^ in their Confultations about
Matters of Religion. Some of them, as Mr. Calamy, Air. Marflial, Mr. Afh,
A/r. Whi taker, Afr. Sedgwick, CJrc. attended them^ apd manifeJl.d their
difike of their Anions: And afterwards ahoye 40 c/ the City Alj ni Tiers fent ,
a Letter to the General, te/lffying their Concurrence with their Brethren afore-;.
faid; freely declarin>r agatnsl their ^Seizing and Imprifoning the Verfon of the
King, &c. And afterttfards^ when the King's Trial came o«, they publi/h'd
a Vindication of tltemfelyes-., declaring before the vpJ^ile Worl((^ that that
vhich put them upon a fearing for the Parliament at firft, wm the Propoiti-
cns and O'ders of the Lords and Commons, June I o, 1642. for bringing in of
Money and Plate -, wherein they were ajfurd it fhould be m otlurwife ern-
floyd^ than to maintain the Proteftant Religion, the King's Authrity, His
JPerfoft in his Royal Dignity, the fiee Courfe of Justice, the Laws of the Land^
the Peace of the Kingdom, and the Priyiledges of ParUament, againfi any
Force which fhould oppofe them. That, they were wholly unfutisfyed with the
fr ceedings, jince the Exclufon and Imprifonment of the Members of the lioufe
of lommons; and held themfeha bound in Duty to God, Religion^ the King.,
Parliament, and Kingdom, to profefs before God, Angels and Men, that they
Eerily belieyd, the taking away the Life of the King in the way of Trial then
depend'n:^, was not only not a<i^reeable to any Word of God, the Prtnciples of
the PiotelianC Religion, (never yet ftaind with the leaft drop of the Blood of
M King) or the Fundamental Confiitution of the Kingdom ; but contrary to them :
As alfo, to the Oath of Allegiance, the prote/iation of May 5. 1 641. and the
Solemn League and Covenant, f-om all which, or any of which Engagements^
they knew not any Power on Earth able to Abfolre them or others. And laft-
ly, thty warn'd and exhorted in the Ji^ame of the peat God, all that belonged
to thtir charges and Miniftry, ta keep clofe to the Hays of God, the Rules of
Jteilion, and Fundamental Conftitution and Goyernment of the Kingdom, not
fufering themfehcs to be feduc'd from it, by being drawn to fabfcribt the late
Models, or Agreement of the People, which dircHly tmdcd to fubvert the
Fundamental Goycrmnent ; and to mvtm bitterly for the Sin< of all degrees of

fuch

€hap. I V. Air. Elichard Baxter.

fuchanAdion: And th^y prefented it to him, when Men-, and
tlie King was in danger. Neither was this the Aa on- ^^S "/ God
'ly of a few • for there were 60 of the Presbyterian Mi-'^^*^ f^e
nifters of London, who fub*fcrib*d the Writing, together ^^^^<^ ^«-
with many Country Minifters. -f!^'*,'* '^

--(:.■'. • . . ^ '6/ence of

. they might mt dare to draw upon themfches and the Kingdom the Blood of their
Sovereign. This wof fuhf crib'' d by ^

^orn^nus Buirges, D.'p,
Will, douge, T>. D. '
Edi. 5U^iLon,, D.D.
.T}io. Temple, D. D, ■
^Geprge' Walker, ^ '•
.Edm. Calainy,"
Jer. Whi taker, . .
Dan. Cawdrey,
WiU Spunlow, D. p. _
La. Seaman, D. D,
Simeon Afhe,
Thomas Cafe,
Nrc. Proffer,
Tho. Thorowgood,
Ed w. Corbet,
Hen. Roborough,
John Downham,
Arthur Jackfon,
J.?mes N a Icon,
Thomas Caw ton,

■ Charles' Off- fpring,' ^
Samuei Clark, -,'

Francis Roberts,
■Samuel Bolton,
Map. Kaviland,
John Sheffield,
WillramKarrifon,
-William Jenkjn,
" John Viner,'
Elidad Blackwell,
John CrolTe,
John Fuller,
William Taylor,
Peter Withara,
Francis Peck,
Chrift. Love,
J. Wallis, D. D.
Thomas Wattfon,
William Wickins,

Thomas Manton, D. D.
Thomas Gouge,
Williim Blp.ckmoic,
Robert Mercer,
Ra. Robinfon,
Johh Glafcock,
Thomas Whaccly,
Jonathan Lloyd,
John Wu'ls,
Benj. Needier,
Nath. Sraniforch,
Steven Watkins.
Jacob Tice,
John Stileraan.
Jofias Bull,
John Devereux,
Paul Ruflel,
Jofhua Kirby,
Arthur Bailiam.

The pubii/hing of this Taper,- iphifh was Intitled, A ferious and faithful
Reprien Cation, of the Judgments of the Minifters of the Gofpel within
the Province of London, in a Le:ter to the General and Council of U'ar,
74«.'f8. 1^48. delivered by fomeof the Subfcribers^ was a plain running
<r great. lizard as Things then flood, and may be )uftly reckon d an Evidence
of the great Integrity and Hone fly of the Ferfons that fubjcrib'd it : jtnd
therefore a late Author *, who does not

always pafs the mofi farourable Cenfures * Compleat Hiftory of LngUnd
that mi'^ht be defiid upon Men of their in Folio, To/. 3. p. 175.
CharaCler, declares. That in Juliice to

the greater part of the Presbyterian Minifters, it muft be acknowledged,
that when they faw too late the fad IlTue of Things, they did then labour
to prevent the Execrable Faft of putting the King to Deatii. But, he
addsy alas (which was more we hope than they knew) it was all to no
purpofe. But if he would really hare done them Juftice, he jhould have
Qwnd this to hay€ hem 4 rtry bold and (ouragioM A^kn as thi Tima ih.n

Ani

62 The LIFE of Chap. V.

fverc ^ be- And thus thefe Inteftine Commotions came to an
caufe they ifjQe^ little tho'c off at firft by any that began them,

hereby ex- which caiinot but furprize all future Generations.
*tfperat€d
thofe who

had the Fower in their Hands y in the lafl decree: And if he would haye
added Charity to Juftic*^, (rvhich makes a good mixture^ he might haye for-
born hislaji Rcfle^ion^ unlefs he had good Pr»of at hand-, that they intended
their B.efrrefentation only for an injtgnifieant Tlourijh, tpithout any efeSt ;
r?hich in their Circumfiances vfas not yery likc/y. And to fuj^cEi any Thing of
ihat kindy of Perfons in tffhofe Carriage tlte Credit of Religion it concern d, un-
iefs there be Proofs tpill not eafily be excused from Cenforioufnefs. Tor them in
their Circumfi antes to maJce fuch aDeclaratton^ wot to difcharge their Confcienc'es
in the yietff of the greatefi Danger^ which alone ii fujjlcient Eyidence that
they were in earnefi : Wlyereas^ if Men fay and unfay upon the fame Sub'
jecty and declare one Thing one Tear^ and another the next^ and haye Intereji
to ftvaythcm todiminiji) what they haye faidy and are afraid to fland to what
they know to be true and Right, (which is a Cafe that has been fnmetimcs
known) "'tis truly hard to know when they are in Larnef}^ or when Tofierlty
Tnay depend upon them.

CHAP. V.

RefleClhfis on Pnblick TranjaUions^ from
the Death of King Charles the Fir ft ^ to
the Reftduration of King Charles the

Second,

An 1(^49. ^"T"^^^ King being taken out of the way, Crom-
The Bit' I ^''^» pretends to be for a Common-wealth, 'till

Zazemcnt, ^^ had laid a fufficient Foundation for his own

Advancement. The I{t4mp prefently drew up a Form
of an Enoaffement, to be Subfcrib'd by all Men of the
Age of 1 8 Years and upwards ; vi:{, J do prowi/e to be
Tme and Fnithful to the Common-vpealth <ii if » won? esia'
yiifVd^ without n Kj^i^ or Houfe of Lords, Without this
Engn^cmfrit no Man muft have the Benefit of Suing
another at Law, nor have any Mafteriliip in the Uni-
verfitics, nor Travel above fo many Miles from their
Houic?, CJ^c. Mr. yims and Dr. f{atnbovo were hereup-
on put o\u of their Headlhips in the Univerfity, and

Mr.

A vi

Ghap. V. Mr. Richard Baxter* 62

Mr. Sympfon and Mr. Sadler put in their Places: Dr. i^.y-
nolds alfo was caft out of the Deanry of Chri^ Church
Oxoriy and Dr. Oxven^ fucceeded him. The Covenant was
now laid afide, as an Almanack out of Date. Many
Epifcopal Divines wrote for the Engagements and plead-
ed for taking it, upon the fame Diltindtion of De Facto
& De Jure, as hath fince beert fo Celebrated among us.
But the Moderate Church Party and the Presbyterians
refus'd it.*

Tho' Cromvpel had ConquerM England and Irelatid, Cromwel'i
tho' the Parliament was Imprifon'd and caft • out, the T)[fjknhief.
King cut off, and the E{ump Eftablilh'd as a New Com-
mon-wealth ; yet were there ftili feveral Impediments
to his laying hands upon the Crown according to his
defire. There were ftill many Cavaliers, who were
ready for new Enterprizes againft him. The Scots x^-
folv'd to ftick to the Covenant and the King. The Ar-
my alfo created him no fmall Difficulty, who muft be un-
taught all the Principles which he had been inftilling into
them with fo much care. For he well knew, that thofe
Principles that were requifiie to bring him to the Crown,
would be the worft in the World, when once he had
gotten it. And at the fame time he knew very well,
that the Minifters of England and Scotland, and the fo-
ber People who regarded them, were very muchagainft
him. As for the Royalifts, he after fome Struggling
crufli'd them, making his Advantage by all their Enter-
prizes. As for the Army, he was never wholly without
his Uneafinefs. As for the Body of the Minifters, and
the foberer Part of the Nation, he could never get them
heartily tg fall in with his Ambitious Dcfigns ; They
kept quiet indeed, but never were in his Intereft, and
waited but for a favourable Opportunity to turn the
Scale. And as for the Scots, tho' they put him to it at
firft, yet he at leiigth overcame them, and rcach'd his
Defigns upon them. Quickly afcer the King's Death, they
difpatched Meffengers to his Son, Charles the Second, to
defire him to come over to them, and take the Crown : But
firft they treated with him about taking the Covenant,

and

^ Many of the Minifters of Chediire 4«^ L^nc^niire, and the Fart ^ aj-
joyning, fubllflM the Reafons of ihcW Kefufal of this Fng^igcmcnl, %^hle
marty of the Prelatical Stamp printed their Reafonsfor taking it.

64 The LIFE of Ghap. V.

and reno'ncing the Wars, and the Blood that had been
fhed in them by his Father's Party. So great were his
Neceflities, that he could not but comply with them.
He took the Covenant, and publilh'd a Declaration to
the World, Ihr^t he did it Voluntarily nnd Heartily^ and
that he Lamented the Sins of his P^jher*s Houjcy ticknovo-
hdging the Gin It of tic Blqod of the late fV.^.rs^ &c, and
hereupon had the whole Kingdom at his Command
'.At. id5o. and Difpoftl. This was no (boner uhderftood, than
an Invalion of ihe Scots was refolv'd on, to keep them
fron^ Invading England^ without ftaying 'till they
made an Entrance upon the Land as formerly. So that
CrornvQel Was Opon them with an Army, before they
were well fettled in their Affairs. Without .any De-
Jay he advanced towards Edinburgh^ where the Scotch
Army lay intrcnch'd : But after long Skirmilhing and
Expedlations, when he cov'.ld neither draw the Scots
out of their Trenches to a Fight, nor yet pafs forward,
Bii Succefs j^jg Soldiers fell Sick, and were impatient of the Po» erty
wibcotland. ^f ^^^ Country ; and fo with a weakned ragged Army
he drew off ro return to England: and had the Scots
but let him go, or cautioufly followed him, they had
in all Probability fecur'd themfelves, and broken his
Honour. But at length they drew out, and foliow'd
him, and overtaking him near t>unbarr^ forcd him to
a Fight by engaging his Rear. They were totally
Touted in Fight, and had their Foot taken, and their
Horfe purfu'd to Edinburgh. Ten Thoufand Prifoners
•were bro't to Kevo-Caftle, where being negietSted they
were moft of them FamilhM. The Colours that were
taken, were hung up as Trophies in M^cjlminjier- Hal/^
and never taken down till the King's Reftauration.
CrowTP^/ enters £^/«/7wr^/j Triumphantly, and drives the
Scots to Sterlings beyond the River, where they forti-
fy *d themfelves. He took the impregnable Caftle of
Edinburgh^ after a fhort Siege, and then pafs'd his Ar-
my over Sterling River, in purfuit nf the Scotj. Kmg
Charles with the' Scotch Army, not being a^'!e to fight
bim, haftily advances towards England^ hoping that
great Numbers of the En^l Jh would join themfelves
to him. But many Things concurr d to hinder his ex-
pedled Fncreafe. The Manner of the Scits coming a-
way, perfwaded People that NcciTity fojc'd tn^ni. and
they Were rather look d upon as Flying, than ^s Ald.ch-

Chap. V. Mr, Elichard Baxter. 65

ing into England, And few will put themfelves into
a Flying Army, which is purfu d by a Conquering E-
nemy. Witha], it was .altogether uncertain, how the
Country would have been treated,had they now appear'd
for the King, before they were affur'd of an Amnefty
of part Diforders, and an Abatement of their former
Burthens. And at the fame time, the Event was very
uncertain, the Fame of the late Vidtory at Dunbarr
had rnade great Impreflion, and Cromwel's fpeedy Pur-
fuit raisM fuch an Expectation, that People were gene-
rally willing to fee how I'hings would encline upon an
Engagement between the two Armies, before they'd
difcover themfelves ; So that tho'the Earl of Derby, the
Lord Talbot J and fome GentL^men, joyn d themfelves to
the King's Army, yet the Country in general would
not follow their Example. The King came by the way
of Lancnjhire, and fummon'd Shrewsbury in vain, as he
pals'd thro' Shropfhire : But when all tho't he was haft-
ning towards London, where it was commonly appre-
hended he might have attain'd his Ends, encreas'd his An. 16 $i:
Strength, and had no Reiiftance, he turn d to Worccfter,
and there refrelh'd his Army. Cromxvsl overtook him
there, and fought to ftraiten him: But not enduring to
be pent up, the King refolv'd to Charge him; and the
Scots at firft behav d themfelves gallantly : but at length, ^^^^ ^. ^^^
thinking they had a Security behind them, they retreat- J\i^J^J.^
ed into the City, and at the fame time Cromveets Soldi- ^^^
ers purfu d them fo clofe at the Heels, that they enter'd
the City with them. The Surprize of this was fo
great, that the whole Army fled thro* the City in great
Confufion, many being trodden down and flain m the
Streets, and they were utterly rouced. ^ In their flighty
the Troopers that were fcatier'd up and down the Coun-
try, difpatcb'd many of them. The Marque fs of H^-
milton (late Earl of Lanerick) was (lain. The Earl of
Derby and Capt. Bcnb^vp of Shrewsbury v/ere both taken,
and put to Death. The Earl oi L^-tidprdMc, and the
Earl of Craford, were fent Prifoners to iVtndfjr-Caftle,
where they were detaind 'till the King's Reftoration.
As for King Charles, when he feparated him ell
from his Lords, he went to Bofcohl by the iV.j^te In-
dies, where he was hid in an Onk, in a manner luffici-
ently declarM to the World; and ihence loMo/ey:
After which he accompany'd Mrs. Unc as a IraveHer

6G The LItE of Chap. V.

and efcap'd all the Searchers Hands, 'till he carre fafe
beyond Sea.

Tiie Sects Army being utterly difpers'd in Englnndy
and many of the Prifoners of Foot fent to the Bari adoes
zndoi\\e\' American Plantations, parr of c'^^^^w^/'s Ar-
my wasdifpatch'd into Scotland to profecutc the Victo-
ry there. All their Garrifons at laft were taken, and
the Ear] c^Glencar??, and the Noble Ear] o^ Bnlcnrres^
(who kept up the laft Forces there for the King) were
forc'd to fly to King Charles beyond Sea. Upon which
Major-General Mo)it^\Nis left there, with fome Forces
to keep the Country in Subjeftion.
uin. i6^\. A little before the Fight at l^orcesfer, divers Perfons
Mr. LovL'i^ere feiz'd on in London for holding CorrefpondenCe
Tryal ^"^ vvith the King. Many of them were Presbyterian Mi-
Hxecutton. nij^ers, who for meeting together to contrive how to
raife a fmall Sum of Money for Majfefs Relief in Scot-
land, were charg'd with Plotting ageing the Government,
Eight of them were fent to the Tower. Mr. Arthur
Jaclfon, Dr. Drake, Mr. PVatfon, Mr. Love, Mr. Jenkins,
Mr. Thomas Cnfe, Mr. I{nlph E^obirijon, and Mr. ^ch.Heyrick^
S<c. And Mr.iV^/fow, and Mr. Cnvghton tied into Holland,
Mr. Love was Try 'd at a Court of Juftice, where Edmurd
Prideaux Efq; a Member ofthei^w/^/', and Solicitor for the
Comrnon-vQcalth^ tho't his Place aJlow'd him to plead a-
gainft the Life and Blood of the Innocent. Mr. Love
was Condemn d and Beheaded, dying neither Time-
roufly, nor Proudly in any deCperate Bravado, but with
as great Alacrity and fcarlefs Quietncfs, and freedom
of Speech, as if he had but gone to Bed, and had been
as little concern 'd as the Standcrs-by. A worthy Gen-
tleman, Mr. Gibbons^ was Beheaded with him for the
fame Caufe. And at the time of their Execution, or
very near it on that Day, there was the dreadfulleft
Thunder, Lightning and Tempeft, that was heard or
feen of a long time bciore. This Blow funk deeper to-
wards the Root of the New Common-wealth, than will
eafily be believ'd at a diftance. The reft of the Mini-
flers were releas'd upon Mr. Jenkjn's Recantation, and
Submillionto the Government.
Cromwcl Cromwel, being fiufli'd by his Succefs in Scotland, tho'c
difcards the he m'lf^hi now do what he pleas'd. Having thus far
Rump Par fecmd to be a Servant to the Parliament, and to have
iiamcnt. work'd for his Mailers the ^mp or CommQn'Wcaltbf he

WIS

Chap. V. Mr, Richard Baxter. 67

was at length for fetting up for himfelf. In order to this
he firit ferves them as he had betore done the Presbue-
rians, fceking to make them odious by hard Speeches
throughout his Army, as if they intended to perpetuate
themielves, and would not be Accountable for the Mo-
ney of the Common- wealth, &c. and then he treats pri-
vately with manv of them to diflblve themfelves; that
another free Parliament might be chofen: But they per-
ceiv'd- the danger, and were rather for filling up their
Number by New Elcdions, which he was utterly againft.
Impatient at laft of further delay, he fuddenly took Har-
rifon and fome Soldiers with him, and in a fort of a Rap- -^' ' ^5 3'
ture went to the Houfe, and reproveth the Members for
their Faults, and pointing to Vnne calls him a Jugler, and
to Henry Martin^ and calls him Whoremafter; and ha-
ving two fuch to inftance in, takes it for granted that they
were all unfit to continue in the Government, and fo he
Difcards them. Few People being griev'd at their being
laid afide, tho' all except the Sedaries and the Army,
touk^-bim for a Traytor that was the Inftrument.

The Young Common-wealth was thus left Headlefs. The Little
Nothing might now feem to ftand between Cromwel and Parlu-
the Crown. For a Governour there muft be : And who ""''"'•
fitter than himfelf ? But Care muft firft be taken to make
theNeceflity of his Government undeniable, and to make
his Soldiers out of love with Democracy^ or at leaft to
make them hateful that adher'd to it. And therefore a
a Parliament muft be call'd, but the ungodly People are
hot to be trufted with the Choice j therefore the
Soldiers^ as more Rehgious, muft be the Choofers:
And two out of a County are chofen by the Offi-
cers, upon the Advice of their Sectarian Friends in all
t^arts^ This was in Contempt call'd Tl.e Little Pnr^
liament. This Conventicle made an Ad, Th^t Migi-
ftrates jhould Marry People inftead of Minifiers*. And
then they came to the Bufinefs of Tythes and Minift- rs.
Before this, Harrifon being authorized thereto, had at

F 2 • once

*77;c AaOrder% That the Perfons to be Married fhould come before
fume Juftlce of the Peace: That the Man and Woman fhould pronounce i he
Words before him, and he pronounce them lawfuUy Married. See Scobel s ^ol-
kftion of St;itutes. Thns fays Mr Tallents of Shrewsbury m a Letter to
we, / and others have Married many before a Jufiice, he faying nothi»^> t,ia
only dedarin^ the Manhge w<u Falid*

68 The LI F E of Chap. V.

once put down all the Parifh Minifters of Waks^ becaufe

that moft C)f them were Ignorant and Scandalous, and

had fet up a few Itinerant Preachers in their ftead, who

were for Number incompetent for fo great a Charge,

there being but One to many of thofe wide Parilhes: So

that the People having a Sermon but once in many Weeks,

an.{ nothing elfe in the mean time, were ready to turn

Papifts, or any Thing clfe. And this is the Plight which

the /inahaptiji J ^2ind other Sedlaries, would have bro*tthe

whole Land to. And all was with this Defign, That

the People might nor be tempted to think the Parifh

Churches to be true Churches, or Infant Baptifm true

Baptifm, or therafelves true Chriftians; but might be

convinc'd, That they muft be made Chriftians and

Churches in the way of the Anahnptifts and Separatisls,

Hereupon, Harrifon became the Head of the Se^aries^

and C'rmvpsl now began to defign the Heading of a So--*-

berer Party, that were for Learning and Mmiftry, while

yet he was the Equal Proccclor of all. At length it was

put to the Vote in this Parliament, PVnether all the Parifb

Mlnijh'rs of England fhould at once be put aovon or no? And

it was but accid.fr)tally carry'd in the Negative by two

Voices. And it was taken for gianred, that Tithes and

ZJnivc fities would next be voted down ; and now Cram-

wc! muft be their Saviour, or they muft perifh: When

he had purpofd. caft them into the Pit, that they might

be Seho!ding to hiun to pv 11 them out. In the Iflue, Sir

C. I'V. a ^d <"oaie others, take their time, and put it to

•the \ ore. PV I -ei tht t-JouJc^ ai incapchlc of Jerving the

C '.'. ^';, P:ould go ^ful deliver up their Power unto

CroMiwj], fr VI vrhom they had rcceivd it } They carry'd

it ii. the A^r native, and away they go, and folemnly

r^fign theii Power to him; who then carries all before

fiim. Hs Snbtiity lay here; he caus'd and permitted

^^-^rui^ on to hang over the Nation, to Niccftitate

, whether they would or not, to take him for ihe'r

'"'>i-ir. that he m:^ht be their Proredlor. A Juntlo

"■ :s drew up a Writing, called. The hiftnimcut of

yn.nt f the Cornm 'u-wcalth of England, Scot-

' iland. Thi<; Inftrument made Oiiver Crom-

ivj Pjott^i^or of the Commfn-wealth. The Lord

• v and Aldermen, the Judges and OiHceys of

ny were fiuidainly drawn togrther to H^elbniyifter-

I upon the Reading this Inftrument inftall'd

Crom^

Chap. V". Mr. Richard Baxter. 5q

CrcmvQcl in the Office of PrcteHor^ and fwore him ac-
cordingly; and thus the Common-wealth feem'd orce
more to have a Head — ^As for rhe Proceedints of the
Parliamenrs which he caU'd in hi^ Protedlorihip, th.^ir
difpleafing him by Ravelling hir Inrtriimenr, an.^ his
rough and refolutediiiblving them, the Fartici'lais may
be feen in the Common Hiiiorians of the times.

One of his Chic 1 Works was the Pwgivg of the Mi- rhe Triert
n'iftry. The Synod of Weftminfter was dilTolv'd with the ofMmjitrs.
Parliament : And therefore a Society of Mmifters with
fome others, were chofen by Crcjnvoel to Cii at I4^hite-'
Hn!!^ under the Name of Triers^ who were moftly In-
dependents, but had fomc Presbyterians join'd with 'em,
and had Power to try all that came tor Inflirution'or In-
duction, and without their Approbation none were ad^
mitted. They themfelves examin'd ail that were able
to come up to London: But if any were unable, or of
doubtful Q.ualitications, they referred them to fome Mi-
nifters in the County where they livM, and approv'd
them, if they approv'd rhem : And with all their Faults,
thus much n«ui4 be faid of thefe Triers, that they did a
great deal of Good to the Church, rhey fav'd many a
Congregation from ignorant ungodly Drunken Teachers.
That fort ot Minifters that either preacht againft an Ho-
ly Life, or preacht as Men that never were acquainted
with ic; all thofe that us a the Miniftry but as a Com-
mon Trade to live by, and were never likely to Convert
a Soul, all thefe they ufualiy rejeded; and in rheir ftead
admitted of any that were able ferious Preachers, and
liv*da Godly Life, of what Opinion foever they were
that was tolerable.

He had the Policy not to exafpera:e the Minifters and An. 16 $6.
others, who confented not to his Government; bur he Cromwei.'i
let Men live quietly, without pmring any Oaths of Fide- CoMduH:
iity upon them ; except hisParliamenrs, which were not ^^'^e rra-
fuffer'd to enter the Houfe, 'till they had Tworn Fideli- f^<.7&r.
ty to him. The Sedfcarian Party in his Array and elfe-
where he chiefly trufted to, and pleasM, 'till by the Peo-
ples Submiflion and Qiiietnefs he tho't himfelf vvell (et-
led: And then he began to undcrmme them, and by De-
grees to work them out. And tho' he had fo often fpo-
ken for the Anabaptifts, he now finds them fo heady, and
fo much againft any fettled Government, and ^okt up-
on the promoting of ^heir Way and Party, that he doth

b

70 Jhe L 1 F tL of Chap. V.

not only begin to blame their Unrulinefs, but alfo defign-
eth to fettle himfelf in the Peoples Favour by lupprelfing
them. In JreUnd they were grown fo high, that the Sol-
diers were many of them Rebaptiz'd, as the way to Pre-
ferment : And they who oppos'd them were crulht with
lincharitabje Fierccnefs. He fent his Son Hen v Cromvoel
into Ireland^ who mightily fuppreft them, and carry'd ic
fo obligingly to all, that he was generilly bel.)v'd. So
that Major-GeneralLv.^/rTr, who headed the Anabaftlfts
in Irelnnd^ was forc'd to fubmit. And tho' h? longcon-
nivM at his Old Friend Harrifov^ the Head of the Anabaf-
tijis here, yet finding it would be an acceptable thing to
the Nation to fupprefs him, he doih ic in a Trice j and
makes him Contemptible, whobutyefterday tho*t himfelf
not much below him. As eafily alfo to the full doth he
lay by Lambert : Which were very pleafing Adiions.
An. i6'^2. At length Cromvpel, who had efcap'd the Attempts of
Jii's Death many who fought to difpatch him, could not efcape the
ttnd chara- Stroke of God, but dy'd of a Feaver, before he was a-
ihr. ware. He dy'd very fuddainly, tho' a bold Man, (one of

the then prevailing Party) praying for him, had faid. Lord !
we ask^ not for his Life., for that xvs are fare of; but that he
mayferve thee better than ever he has done ; to the Di(honour
of that Prefumption, which fome Men call a Particular
Faith ; that is, a Believing that that they (hall receive
ivhatfoever they ask, if they can but ftedfaftly believe
that they (hall receive it ; tho* it be fuch as they have no
other Promife for, but that of Hearing Believing Prayers^
"which they mifunderf^and. Never Man was highlier
extoird, or bafelier reported of, and vilify 'd than this
Man, according as Mens Imerefts led their Judg-
ments*. The Soldiers and Se(3:aries highly roagnifyM

him.

* There ii a rery memorable Tajf.i'rc concerning him, related in Eifhop Hacket'5
Life of Arclj'biffyofjWiU'ums. 'lis this: That Bp. WillhmS' (wijovr/t^ perhaps
a-s well accjuaintcd rvith Men and Ti)ings oi rnnfl Statefmen rse Jjave ever had in
this A'ation) being in the Tear 1 6^/\.fent for by K. Ch2r\es the fir /i owto/Wale?,
vhtther he hadretired, he attended him accordingly at Oxford. Among other Ad-
yicehe gave the King at that time, he a£urdhim^ That Crnmwcl^ who was
lately taken intotiif Parliament's Army by h'lsCouiinHambden, wasrhemoft
dangerous Enuny that his Mnjefty had: And therefore he adyi^'dhim^Ehhcr to
win himby Promifcsof fair Treatment, or catch him by fome Stratagem and
cut him fhort. Nay, (faith Bp. Hackei) his Servants often heard him fay long be-
fore the Events That ihey would live to fee the time, wlien Cromwd would
bear down all other Powers before him, and fet up himfelf.

Chao. V. Air. Richard Baxter. 7i

I him, rtll he began to feek the Crown, and the Efta*
" blifliinenc of his Family : And then there were fo many
.hat woald be half Kings tbemfeJves, that a King feem'd
intoHerable to them. The Royalifts abhorr'd him as a
moft Perfidious Hypocrite : and the Presbyterians tho'c
bim little berter in his Management of Publick Matters.
Upon the whole, Mr. Baxter hath left this as his Judg-
ment concerning him: Tbnt he began loWy androfe high'
er in his B^folutions ai his Condition rofe : And the Promi^
fes wh'ch he made in his loxver Condition^ he uid as the hi-
tere§t of his higher foUovoing Condition did require ; and
l{€pt di much Honefly and Godlinefs, in the main, as his
Caufe and Interell would aSow him, and there they left
him. And that his Name ftandeth iH c MoJiitory Monument
OY Pillar to Pqfterity, to tell them the Inftability of Man in
ftrong Temptations, if God leave him to himjelf. tpl^ap
Pride can do, to make Man Selfifh, and Corrupt the Heart
mth 111 Defigns : What SelfiJhneJ] and I'd Defigns can do,
to Bribe the Confcience, Corrupt the Judgment, mal^e Men
julfify the greatest Errors and Sins, and fet againft the
ckareft Truth and Duty: What Bloodfhed, and great Enor-
mities of Life, and an erring deluded Judgment may dravo
Men to do, and Patrpni:(e^ And that when God hath
Dreadful Judgments to execute, an Erroneous Senary, or a
proud Self'feeker, is oftner his Inftrumcnt, than an Hur?j~
tie Lamb'like Innocent Saint,

Cromxvel being dead, his Son Richard, by his Will Kiciind'^
and Teftament and the Army, was quietly fettled in his Succr(jion.
Place, The feveral Counties, Cities and Corporations
of England, fend up their Congratulations, to own
him as ProteHor, He Interred his Father with great
Pomn and Solemnity. He callM a Parliament wichnuc
any fuch Reftraints as his Father had us'd. The Mem-
bers took the Oath of Fidelity to him, before they cntrcd
the Houfe. And all Men wondred to fee all lo quier
in fo dangerous a Time. Many fober Men, that call d
his Father no better than a Traitorous Hypccnte, began
to think that they ow'd him Subjedion. But the Arn»y
itfeems fee him up .only upon Tryal, refolvmg to ule
him as he behaved himfelf. And tho they fwore Fide-
lity to him, they meant to keep it no longer than he
pleas'd them : And when they faw that he began to fa-
vour the fober People of the Land, to Honour I ariia-
ments, and to Refped the Minifters call d Presbyterians

p ^ mey

The LIFE of Chap. V.

they prefently refolv'd to make him know his Mafters,
and that it was they^ and not he, that were call'd by
God to be the Chief PrcteHors of the IntercB of the Na-
tion. He was not {o formidable to them as his Father,
and theref >re every one in a little time boldly fpurn* d
at him. The Fifth Monarchy Men under Sir Htmy Vane,
rais'd a violent Clamorous Party againft him among the
An. 1559. City Sectaries. R^g^^s and Fer.ke^ and fome others of
their Temper, blow'd the Coals : But the AfTembly at
iVallingford Hcu/e did the main Bufincfs. It was there
And Deffo- determined, That Richard'^ Parliametit mufi be dijfolvd^
Jiiion. and rhcn he quickly fell himfelf; And it was as foon
done almoft as determin'd. Tho* Col. In^olshy, and
fome others, would have ftuck to theProte(5lor, and have
vcncur'd to furprize the Leaders of the Faction, and
the Parliament would have been true to him ; Yet
Berry's Regiment of Horfe and fome others were juft
ready to begin the Pray againft him. And he, as he
fought not the Government, fo was refolv'd it fhould
coft no Blood to keep him in it : And therefore he re-
fign'd it by a Writing under his Hand, and retired him-
felf, and left them to govern as they pleas d. His Bro-
ther-in-Law Fleetwood ^ and his Uncle Deshorough, were
, fo Intoxicated as to be the Leaders of the Confpiracy.

The Core of the Bufinefs was this; That Oliver had
once made Fleetwood believe, that he (hould be his Suc-
celfor, and drawn an Inftrumcnt to that purpofe; but
his Laft Will difappointed him. However, now they
fct up a few of rhemfelves, under the name of a Co«n-
cil of Stnt^, wherein F>ectwJod wasuppermoft, and Lam-
bert next him.
K:n^ The Nation being tired with Changes, foon difcover'd
Chariest ^heir Uneafinels. Sit Geo' ^^e Booth and S\r Thomas Mid^
Jteiiaurati- ^letot?^ rais'd Forces in Chefloire and Korth-H^ates for King
«"• Charles^ but being faifd by the Cavaliers that Ihould

have joyn'd with them, Lambert foon routed them : And
it the fame time Sir Arthur Haflerig^e fiezes Fortfmouth
for the l{ump. Monk^ purges his Army in Scotland of
Annbapti^s^ and marches into Enginnd. The I{ump
Party with Hnflerigge divided the Army at Home, and
fo difablcd them to oppofe Monk^ who march'd on
to the great Surprize of all. At firft, he joyn'd with
the i{}*mp againft the Citizen?, and puU'd down the
City Gates to terrify them : But at length, being invited
^ ^ ^ '■• inio

Chap. V. Mr, flichard Baxter. 7^

into the City by Sir Thomas Allen, then Lord-Mayor, he An. i66c
joynd with them agaitift the Rump, which, was the ve-
ry Thing that turn d the Scales, and bro'c in the King.
Aiowi^ calls together tke Old Secluded MsmbcrSy agreeing
with them. That they fhould fit but a few Days^ and then
dijfolve themfehes, and call another Parliament. They,
confented, appointed a Council of State, and diflblv'd
themfelves. In this Council of State, it was put to the
Queftion, Whether they Jhould call in the Kjng upon
Treaty and Covenant^ or entirely confide in him ? And
it was refolv'd to truft him abfolutely, Mr. A. parti-
cularly fo perfwading. The New Parliament meet-
ing, prefentiy appointed a Day of Fafting and Prayer
for themfelves. The Hou/e of Commons chofe Dr. Gau-
den, Mr. Calamy^ and Mr. Baxter, to carry on thfe
Work of the Day. The very next Morning, May i.
1660, they unanimoufly voted Home the King, N^-
mine Contradiccnte, The King being fent for over from
Holland, certain Divines and others were fent by the
Parliament and City to attend him ; vi7[. Mr. Calamy,
Dr. Manton, Mr. Bowles, and others : And his Maje-
fty gave fuch encouraging Promifes, as rais'd in fome
of them very high Expectations. And when he came
in, as he pafs'd thro' the City towards H^eftminjler, the
London Minifters in their Places attended him with Ac-
clamations, and by the Hands of old Mr. Arthur Jaci-
fcn, prefented him with a richly adorn'd Bible, which
he received, telling them. If fioould be the £{ule of his
Actions.

e H A p>

74 The LIB E of Chap. VI.

CHAP. VI.

Mr. Baxter'/ Cofidu£l of Himfelf during thcfc
Publick Commotions and frequent Alter ai;^
ons. His Behaviour in the nrmy and pvoardt
Cromwel. His Trouble from the Se<^>a'
of thofe Times ; xviih an Acconnt of their
Rife and Prevalence^ Principles and Pra-
3ifes.

EX T R E A M S are very pJeafing to Humane Na-
ture: Moft Men are (o fond of them, that they'll
run as far as from one Pole to another in a Breath,
rather than ftop in a more Temperate Region. Such is
their Eagernefs, that nothing but what is violent: and
furious can fuit them : And fuch their Stupidity, that
they'll on each Side entertain more favourable Tho'ts of
thofe in the oppofite Extream, than o£ fuch as keep in
the Mid-way, being unwilling to bend towards the one
Side or the other> any farther than a Cogency ot Rea^
fon fways them. And therefore it hath been often ol>-
ferv'd, That Men of a Calm and Healing Spirit^ whofe grent
Aim it hath been to avoid Extreams^ have been ajfaulted on
both Sides xvith e/jual Fur;', tis if they vfere a Sort of Common
Enemies. Hardly any Man ever had more Experience
of this than Mr. Baxter ; who, in Political Matters en-
deavoured equally to (hun the flavifii Principles of the
AfTcrtors of Abfolute Monarchy^ and the confounding
Notions of Democratical Vnjekors : And at the fame
Time, in Ecclefiafiical Matters, was equally fearful of
the Arbitrary Encroachments of ^{ffuming Prelates, and
and the Uncharitable and Dividing Principles and Pra-
<fiiccs of the Se^aries, This expos'dhim to the EfTcdts
of the Malignity of each Party, and created him a
great deal ot Trouble : But at the fame Time his Con-
Icience was fatisfy'd in the Meafures he took ; and he
doubted not but Pofterity, when the Heats were over,
would judge more favourably of hisCondudt, than ma-
ny of his Corcmporarics, who were adled by Malice
and Fury, blind Zeal and Bigottry, in the Cenfures they
pafs'd upon him. He

Chap. VI. Mr. Richard Baxter. 7-

He was far from encouraging fuddam Impulfes, the ARemark-
Danger of yielding to which he was well aware of ; «^/e Faf-
and yet was once carry *d quite beyond his Intentions As<^-
in a P.ublick Performance, the Manner and Confe-
quence of which was Remarkable. Mr. Madeftard
( whom he had aflifted at Bridgnorth ) dying, after he
had been a little While fix'd at K^derminfter^ He was
defired to preach his Funeral Sermon. He difcharg'd
that Office under fo deep a Senfe of the Mifery of the
unprofitable Pe<;ple of that Town, and the deep Groans
he had heard from their Faithful Paftor for their Ob-
duratenefs, that he could not forbear to tell them his
Fears, Thnt jome.fuddain Judgment vcould come upon that
Plac? ; which they were more capable of laying to
Heart, than their Paftor 's Death. Neither did he, ei-
ther before or after, prefume upon fuch kind of Pre-
didkions ; but the ExpreiHon of that Fear he could not
then fupprefs. His Text was £;^e/^. 33. 33. And when
this Cometh to fafsy (^lo^ it will come ) then /hall they fyiox9
that a Prophet hath been among them. And when the
War was begun, the Town being againft the Parlia-
ment, was a Garrifon for the King, kept by the Neigh-
bouring Gentlemen of the Country, who fortify'd the
Caftle. When the Parliament's Forces came to take
the Town, they by the Fire- works from the Caftle
burnt it to the Ground, together with the Church where
that Sermon was preach'd, and where Mr. Madejiard
was Interr'd. So that the Inhabitants were undone,
and forc'd to lie under Hedges, 'till the Compaflion of
others afforded them Entertainment and Habitation.
And as for their Church, it was a great While before it
was rebuilt,and that after two General CollecSkions for it.
The firft Time he came among them when the War
was over, he chofe the fame Text again to preach on,
to call their Sins againft their faithful Paftor to Re-
membrance : But both Speaker and Hearers were fo in-
terrupted with Tears, that it was not without much
Difficulty, and after feveral Paufes, that he was able
to proceed on to the End.

He adher'd to the Long Parliament ^ as far as he could Mr. Baxter
apprehend theirCaufeand'their Motions juftifiable; hy^t adheres tqt
no Hopes or Fears could draw or drive him any farther, the ParlU-
Upon Occafion of the Iri/h Maffacre, they made an ^ent.
Order, That all the People fliould taf{€ 4 Propejiation, to

defend

76 The LI FB of Chap. VI.

defend the I{ing's P:rfor?, Hoyiour and Authority^ the Power
dr,d Priviledg:i of PariiamcTjtSy the Liberties of the Sub'
jecf, and the Protestant ^ligiony againjl the Common Ene-
my. Herein he readily obey'd, and joyn'd with the
Magiftrace in offering this ProtejUtion to the People ; tho'
fi;me were much otiended at ir. Soon after, the King's
Declarations were read in the Market- PJace at f^eder-
minjhr^ and the Comminion of Arrav was fet a foot ;
the Lord Hown-d, who was the Parliament's lienrenanc
for the Militia of the Counry of H'orcefier^ not appear-
ing. Hereupon, the Rabble grew fo Riotrus and Fu-
rious, that a Sober Man could h;irdly hope f.r Safety :
For in the Prt-paration to the Approaching Wa;-, they
had got the Word amongft them, Down with ch R^ouud-
hcads ; infomuch. that if a Srranger in many Places
happen'd to pafs by, that had ihort Hair, ar.d a civil
Habit, the Cry was, Down with the [{oundbcaas, and on
they fell, knocking them down in the open Streets, none
daring to appear in their Defence.
Hetiref to To avoid Uproars of this Kind, he was advis'd to
Gloucefter. withdraw a While from F-Iome ; and follow'd the Ad-
vice. As he pafs'd but thro' a Corner of the Suburbs of
the City of lVo)ccfter^ the Multitude, the' they knew
nothing ot him, cry'd, Down with the Roundheads, info-
much, that he was glad to fpur on and be gone. He re-
tired to Gloucejier, where he found a Civil, Courteous
and Religious People, as different from thofe of
l4^orcefier, as if they had Jiv'd under another Govern-
mdir. This Coumy came in for the Parliament, while
" iV^rceflerfhire^ Hereford/hire and Shrnp/hire were wholly
for the King- It was in this Retirement that he met
with the i\\i\ An.ib'tptijh that ever he was acquainted
with. About a dozen Young Men, or more, of con-
liderable Parts, had received the Opinion againft In-
fant Baptifm, and were Re-baptiz'd, and labour'd to
draw others after them, not far from Gioucejler. The
M.niOcr of the Place, Mr. l^f'innel^ being hot and im-
paiient with them, k was tho't, hardened them the
more. He wrote a Confiderablc' Book at that Time
againft them : But the Nation having then no great
lixpcrience of the Tendency of their Principles ; the
People that were not of their Opinion, did but pity
them, and think it was a Conceit that had no great
H;irm in it, and J^am d Mr. If'inncl for his Afperity

towaid§

Chap. VI. Air. Richard Baxter. 77

towards them. But this was manifeftly the Beginning
of the Miferies of Gloucefter : For while the Anabaftifis
encreas'd on one Side, one Mr. Hart came out of Here-
fordfoire with Mr. Vaughnn 3l Gencleman, who drew ma-
ny to Separation on another Side, and afterwards came
Mr. Bacon, a Preacher of the Army, and he drew
them- to Antimminnifm on another Side ; which toge-
ther fo diftradted the good People, and eat out that
Heart of Religion and Chafity among them, that the
City which before had as great Advantages for the
Profperity of Religion among them, as any in the Land,
in the Civility, Tra6tablenefs and Piety of the People,
became as low and poor as others, and the pity of more
happy Places.

After about a Month's ftay at Glouccfier^ his Neigh-
bours of Kjderminfter defired his return, leaft the Peo-
ple (houid interpret his Abfence, either as the Effed: of
his Fear on the Account of fome Guilt, or as fignify-
ing his being againft the King. When he came Home,
he found the drunken Rabble very boifterous, threat-
ning all fober People, and crying out as they met any
of them in the Streets, fVe jhall take an Order xcith the
Puritans eer long : They were like ty'd Maftiffs newly
loofed, flying in the Face of all that was Religious,
yea or Civil, which came in their Way. This forced
him to withdraw again. He fpent a few Days in the
Earl of EJJex's Army then about iVorceHer, flaying
with them 'till the March of the King's Army occafi-
ond their Remove. On the LordVDay following, he
preached at Alce^ler^ and during his Preaching, the
Noife of the Cannon inform'd ihem that the Armies
were engaged ; and this was the Fight at Edge-Hill.
In the Evening, many flying Troops affur'd them, Th.^:
all was loft on the Parliament's Side, and the Carriage ta-
ken and Pf^aggnns plunder*d before they came axvay : But
they afterwards got a better Account ; vi::^. That while
Prince Rupert's Men were plundering the PVaggons of
EfTexV Left Wing which they bad routed^ the main Body
and the J^ght H^ing frevail'd againft the reft of the Kjngs
Army^ and got the Day, The next Morning he went to
fee the Field where the Fight had been the Day before,
and found the Earl of Ejfex with the remaining Part of
his Army keeping the Ground, and the King's Army
facing them upon a Hill a Mileofr,and about aThoufand

dead

78 The LI FE of Chap. VI.

dead Bodies in the Field between them, and neither of
the Armies moving towards each other. But in a lit-
tle Time they on both Sides retired to Quarters of Re-
frelhmenr.
Eetira to ^j. ^j^^g Time Mr. Baxter was very much at a Lofs,
Covenuy. ^j^^ knew not what Giurfe to take. To live at Home
was very uncomfortable and hazardous, the Soldiers
on one Side or other ft ill palling to and fro, and being
ready to make a Prey of ivhatfoever came before them:
And yet he had not any Thing tofublift onelfewhere irt
a Place of Safety. At length he determin'd to go to
Cove77try^ where Mr. Snmn Kjng, who was his Ac-
quaintance at Bridgnorth^ was Minifter, determining
to ftay there 'till one Side or other had got the Victory,
and the War was ended. For fo little acquainted was
he, or indeed the Country round him, with Matters of
War, that it was commonly fuppos'd, a very few Days
or Weeks bv one other Battle, would bring Things to
an lifuc. When he had continud with Mr. Kj^g a
Month, he found the War as far from being like to
End as before. This put him upon Tho'ts of making
further Provifion forhirnfelf, that he might not be bur-
denfome to his Fnenci ; and while his Mind was thus
employed, as Providence otderM it, the Committee and
Govcrnour of the City pf Covcnt-y defired him to ftay
with them, and Lodge in the Govemour*8 Houfe, and
preach to the Soldiers. The offer fuited well with his
Keceflities ; and tho' he vva«; not enclin'd to be Chaplain
to the Regiment, or take a Commilfion; yet, fince the
meer Preaching of a Sermon once or twice a Week lO
the Garrifon would fatisfy, he readily accepted the Of-
fer 'till he he could return Home in Safety. In this
Poft he follow'd his Studies as quietly as in a Time of
Peace for about a Year, only Preaching once a Week
to the Soldiers, and once on the Lord*i-Dny to the Peo-
ple, not taking any Thing of them for either, excepting
only his Diet. He had here a very Judicious Auditory :
Sir F{ichnrd Shffi»gton, Col. Godfrey Bofvile, Mr. hUck^^
worthy Mr. George Ahbot^ and many other Pious and
Judicious Gentlemen were his conftant Auditors^ There
were alfo about y worhy Minif^ers in the City, who
fled thither f r Safety from Solders and popular Fury,
as he had done, tho' ihcy never meddleci in the Wars^
Mr,I{icUrU Vine:^ Mr. Anthony Bw2e]s, Mr. Bwdall^

"" ' " Mr-

Chap. VI. Mr. Richard Baxter. 79

Mr. Brumskill^ Dr. Bryan^ Dr. Grew^ Mr. Stephens^
Mr. Craddockji Mr. Morton of Bevfdley, Mr. Diamond^
Mr. Overton^ were fome of them. And he was ex-
ceeding Thankful to God for the Quietnefs and Safety,
and Sober, Wife, and Religious Company, with Li-
berty to Preach the Gofpel, which he vouchfafed him
in this City, when other Places were in the Terrours
and Flames of War. When he had been above a Year
at C&ventry^ the War was fo far from being ended,
that it had difpers'd it felf into almoft all the Land.
Only Middlejexy Hertford/hire^ moft of Bedford and
hJorth^mptonfhire^ being entirely for the Parliament,
had fome Quietnefs. And EJfex, Suffolk,, Norfoll^, Cam-
bridgejhiie, and Huntington/htre, with the Ille of £/;,
which were call'd the /^jjoclated Counties^ Hv'd as in
Pea^e, the King's Armies never coming near them.
And it was fo for the moft Part alfo with K^nt, Surrey
and Suffcx, "While on the other Side, Hereford/hire,
Pf^orcefterfhirey and Shrop/hire^ and almoA all fVales^
( PembrGkefhWe excepted ) were only poffefs'd for the
King , and faw not the Forces of the Parliament. But
almbft ali the reft of the Counties had Garriibns and
Parties in them on both Sides, which caus'd a War in
every County, and there were but few Parifties where
at one Time or other Blood had not been fhed. The
Religious Part of the People of Ksderminfter would
gladly have liv*d quietly at Home, but were forc'd to
be gone, and retired alfo to Coventry ; where fuch of
them as had any Eftate of their own, liv*d at their
own Charge ; and the reft were fain to take up Arms,
and be Garrifon Soldiers to get them Bread. In Shrop-
/hire, where his Father dwelt, both he and all his Neigh-
bours, that were noted for Praying and Hearing Sermons,
were plunder'd by the King's Soldiers, fo that fome of
them had nothing almoft but Lumber left in their
Houfes : Tho* his Father meddled on neither Side, but
followed his own Bufmefs, and held no Correfpondencc
at all with his Son. At length Col. Mitton, and other
Shropfhire Gentlemen, refolving to fettle a Garrifon at
Wem^ a little Town in their own Country, eight Miles
from Shrewsbury, and Mr. Mackworth, Mr. Hunt, and o-
thers, prefling him to go with them, he comply'd,
partly becaufe *twas his Native Country, and partly
becaufe he ihould be near his Father, and withal hop-

8o The LIFE of Chap. VL

An. 1543. ing he fiiould then have more of his Ksdirminfter
Neighbours about him. Having ftay'd there and at
Lcvgford Garrifon about two Months, and redeemed his
Father out of Prifon at Lillf^ulj he return'd to Coven-
try^ and fettled in his former Habitation and Employ-
ment, and follow'd his Studies there in Quiecnefs for
another Year.
TheSuteof The Garrifon of Coventry confifted half of Country-
that City, men, and half of Citizens. The Countrymen were
foch as had been forc'd from their Dwellings in the
Neighbouring Places ; and were Men of as great
.Sobriety, and Soundnefs of Underftanding, as were
in any Garrifon in England, But one or two of Sir
Henry Vntie's Party, who came out of New-England^
and an Anabaptifi Taylor, had almoft troubled all the
Garrifon, by infedting the honeft Soldiers with their
Opinions : So that he was forc*d to Preach over all
the Controvcrfies againft the Anabaptifis^ and after-
wards againft the Separatiftsy and fo kept the Garrifon
found. The Anabaptifi s fent to '^edfordiot one Mr. Ben-
jamin. Cox, an old Anabaptifi Minifter, a. Bilhop*s Son,
and nd, mean Scholar, with whom he had a Difpute
firft by Word of Mouch, and afterwards by Writing,
which he tho't fit at length to forbear. So that upon
the Whole, a few Poor Townfmen only were carried
away, about a Dozen Men and Women : But the Sol-
•dicrs, and the reft of the City, kept found from all In-
fecflion of Sedlarics and Dividers. While he liv'd here
in Peace And Liberty, like one in a dry Houfethat hears
Srorms Abroad, he was daily entertained with the
News of fomc Fight or other, or of one Garrifon or
other won ( r loft, the Particulars whereof are related
by the Hijiorians of thofe Times.
n' ih iayc- . When the Earl of Xerv-Cajlle had over-power'd the
n^-Mf. Lord Fairfax in the North, and the Queen bro't over

many Popilh Soldiers from. Foreign Parts, and other
Circumftanccs concurred that made the I^nyaHfts For-
midable ; the Parliament was glad to dcfire Alfiftance
from the Scots^ whofe Army was paid off and Disband-
ed before the EngHfo War. The Scots confented, but
withal offer'd a Covenant to be taken by both Nations
for a Rcfolvcd ^formation^ againft Popery^ Prelacy^
Srhifm and Profanenc/s. This Covenant was propos'd by
the Parliament to the Coniideration of the 5>W at

f^y^fiminjier.

Chap. VI. Mr. Richard Baxter. 8i

Weftminjler. They ftumbled at fome Things in it,
and efpecially ac the Word Prelncy. Dr. Burges, the
Prolocutor, Mr. Gntakcr, and feveral others, de-
clar'd their Judgments to be tor Epifcop^cy, even for
the Ancient Moderate Epifccp/icy, in which one ftated
Prehdent with his Presbytery govcrnd every Church :
Tho' iTOt for the Englifh Diocefan Frams, in which one
Bilhop did without his Presbytery, by a Lay-Chan-
celiOiir*s ' Court, govern aJi the Presbyters and
Churchesofa Diocefs^being many Hundred ^ and 'hat in
a Secular Manner^ by abundance of upftart Secular Of-
ficers, unknown to the Primitive Church. Here-
upon there was a Debate in the Aifembly. Some ( ef-
pecially the Scottifh Divines ) being againft every De-
gree of Bilhops, and others for a Moderate Epifco-
pacy. Bat the latter would not fubfcribe the Cove-
nant^ \i\\ there was an Alteration fuited to their
Judgments : And fo a Parenthefis was yielded to, as
defcribing that Sort of Prelacy which they opposed ;
'vi:{, \That is. Church Government hy Arch-Bijhops, Bi-
/hopSy Deans and Chaptert^ Arch-Deacons, and all other
Ecclefiaftical Oncers depending on that Hierarchy.'] When
it was thus agreed on, the Lords and Commons
firft took the Covenant themfelves, and Mr. Thomas
Coleman preach'd to the Houfe of Lords, and gave
it them with this Publick Explication, That hy Prelacy
we mean not all Epifcopacy, but only the Form which is
here defcrib^d. When the Parb'ament had taken it,
they fent it to be taken by all the Garrifons and Ar-
mies; and commended it to all the People of the
Land. And when the War was ended, they caus'd
all the Noblemen, Knights, Gentlemen, and Officers,
which had been againft them in. the Wars, to take it
before they would admit them to Compofition, and
they did fo. And they required all young Minifters
to take it at their Ordination. This Covenant being
taken, the Scots raised an Army and came into England,
and clear'd the North; but afterwards lay ftill and did
no Service, and thereupon were burdenfome. Which
arofe from the Policy of C^mwel and his Party, who
tho't them no fit Inftruments for their Purpofes, and
thereupon kept them without Pay, and without March-
ing Orders, &c,

G The

82 The LIFE of Chap. VI.

^^_«JM^- ' — ■-■ - ■ ■ ■ -^ ■ — ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ -- ■ , ,,

TheAffem- The mention of the tVeftyninfter Synod, upon occa-
hly of VI- iion of this Covenant, feems to require fome Account
V;"««. of it. This Synod* was not a Convocation according

* My Lord t6 the Diccefan way of Government, nor was it called
Clarendon by the Voces of the Minifters according to the Presby-
7« hif Me- terian Way : But the Parliament not intending to call
Tnoirs rol.l. ^j^ AfTembly, which Ihould pretend to a Divine Right
f' '^'5- to make obliging Laws or Canons to bind their Bre-
/-pX^/V,^ ^/ thren, but an Ecclefiaftical Council to be Advifers to
/^ ^r^j'. themfelves, did think that tjiey beft knew who were
AfTemblv^ the fitteft to give them Advice, and therefore chofe
r:^; fomeof^^^"^ all themfeives. Some Counties had two, and
them vvtre fome but one. And becaufe they would feem Impar-
infamous tial, and that each Party might have the liberty to
ja their fpeak, they chofe alfo many of the moft Learned Epif-
lives and copal Divines ; as Arch-Bilhop Vfher^ Dr. Holdfvporth^
Converfa- Dr. Hnmmond^ Dr. Wlncop^ Bifliop W.-flford, Bilhop
^ionsj ^n^ p.idrnux, Bifhop J^rowwn^^, "Dr. Sander/en, DT.H<cJ{et^
moft of ^j^j feveral others to joyn with them ; but they refused

them of ve- ^^ come becaufe it was not a Legal Convocation, and

xy mean '^ '

rartfj in

Learning, if not of fcandilous Ignorance : And of no other Reputatioh,
than of M;iJice to the Cbiirch of England. —— This is a very Heary Charge
tipon fuch a Body of Men as they were. Thai' my Lord Clarendon rvas un-
doubtedly a yefy ^reat /Uan^ yet thti C>infure vfont recommend his Hiftory to
Tofitrityj vfho^iu be hard pm f) it, to find Men of more Exemplary Fiety^and
hidre e7>iinent Minificrial Abilitiei:, amon^ their Progenitors in any Age, than
jhefc ^ere -K?hom he endeavours at fuch a Rate to expofe. fi ho can gire Cre-
dit to him as an Hifiorian that fhali reprefent fuch Men as Dr. Twif*?,
llr. Gatakcr, B'flop Reynold'^, Dr. Arrotcfmith, Dr. Tuckney, Dr Light-
foor, &c. as Men of icandaljws Ignorance, or mean Paris ? Or who runs
down fuch Men as Dr. Gouge, Mr. Oliver Bawles, Mr. Vine?, Mr. Heile,
Dr. Spurflow, Mr, Kev^'comcn, Mr. Coleman, c^rc. as Terpens of no orlicr
Recantation than of Malice to the Church of England i I have added the
tifi of this Ajfcmhly Let the World Judge of the Hiforian by the .^ffembly,
<ir the AJfcmhly by the Hifiorian as they fee Occafton. I cant difccrn the lea ft
HeafoH to fear the Confetjuence, where Terfons are not over-run with the
gtojfcf} Trcindice and £artialiiy. And therefore I jhould have tho't the Com-
p Her of the Com\')\c(c Hiftory of Hrifiland, who in Vcl. III. p. \r{/^. takes
notice of this Rtfle^iion of my Lord Clarcmlon'j, might have f par d a Word
er two y pen it, wJ)cn l)c i<. fo liberal of his Cenfitres upon other OccaftonSy with
far lefs Rtafon., It defcrveshis Confidcratioff^ whether his faying nothing to
fo ur.deferv''d.a Rcfieliionon fuch a Body of worthy Men, has not made it hi4
o-JCYi ', and whether that he likely to conciliate Credit JO If is Biftorical Labours
r.rtiong th^fe that (Jjall rife up ttfter us.

becaiuCb

Chap. VI. Mr. Richard Baxter. 83

becaufe the King declar'd againfl ic. Some few in-
deed came, and among the relt Dr. Fcatly. Bui being
charg'd with fending Intelligence to che King at Ox-
ford oi what pafs'd in Synod and Parjiamchc, he wss
imprifonM. Their firft Prolocutor was Dr. i^^tlUnm
Tmfs^ a Man very Famous for his Schoiaftical Wit and
Writing. The Divines were Men of Eminent Learn-
ing and Godlinefs, Minifterial Abilities and FideJify.
They were confind in their Debates to fuch Thi-.gs ' 1
only as the Parliament proposed. And many Lords ^ ""^
and Commons were joyn'd with them, to fee char '^*^' '""^^
ihey did not go beyond their Commiifion *. Six: or ^;^^^^ ^ ^^
Seven Independents were joyn'd to them, that <x\{S\di,Sr,en:nthU

rfere, Algernon Earl of Northumberland. William Ear/ of B jrw.d.
Philip Earl of Pembroke. William Earl of Salisbury. Henry Earl of
Holland. Edward Earl of Manchefter. William Lord Fifcount Say and
Seal. Edward Lord Fifcount Conway. Philip Lord Wharton Edw^d
Jlor^ Howard. John Selden Efq-^ Francis Rous f/^f; Edmund Prideaux £/^;
Sir Henry Vane Sen. Kt. John Glyn Efq-^ Recorder of London. John
White Eff^ Bulftrode Whitlocke Eff^ Humphry Salloway Efq-, Mr. Ser-
jeant Wild. Oliver St. John Ef(j-^ his Majefifs Solicitor. S/V Benjamin
Jludyard Kt, John Pym Efcf-^ Sir John Clotworthy Kt. John May-
nard Ef^', Sir Henry Vane /««• Kt. William Pierpoint £/gr^ William
Vv^heeler Efq'., Sir Thomas Barrington Kt. Walter Young Efq-j And
Sir John Evelin Kt.

The Minified that wet in this AJfembly were thefe. Vr. William Twifs
of Newbury, Prolocutor. Dr. Cornelius Buiges of .Watfoid, and
Mr. John White of Dorchefter, AJfeJfors. Vr, William Gouge of B'ack-
Fryars, London. Mr. Robert Harris of Hanwell, JB. D. Mr. Jhomas
Gataker of Rotherhithe, B. V. Mr. Oliver Bowles of Sutton, B. D.
Mr. Edward Reynolds o/Bramfton. Mr. Jeremiah Whitaker of Stret-
ton. Mr. Antony Tuckney of Bofton, B. D. Mr. John Arrowfmich of
Lynne. Mr. Simeon Afhe of St. Brides. Mr. Philip Nye o/Kimbolron.
Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs of Stepney, Mr. John Lightfoot of Afhley.
Mr. Stanley Gower of Brampton-Bryan . Mr. Richard Heyricke of Man-
chefter. Mr. Thomas Cafeo/ London. Dr. Thomas Temple of Bjtter-
fey. Mr. George Gipps of Ayleftone. Mr. Thomas Carter. Mr. Hum-
phrey Chambers of Claverton, B. D. Mr. Thomas Micklethwaice of
Cherryburton. A'Ir. John Gibbon of Waltham. Mr. Chrift. Tifdale of
Uphusborne. Mr. John Philips of Wrentham. Air. George Walker, B. D.
Mr. Edmund Calamy of Aldermanbury, B. D. M. Jofeph Caryl of
Lincolns-Inn. Mr. Lazarus Seaman of London. Mr. Henry W ilkinlbn Sen.
•/ WaddefdoR, B. D. Mr. Richard Vines of Calcot. Mr. Nicola? Prof-
fet 0/ Marlborough. Mr. Stephen Marlhalo/Fincliingfield, B.D. Vr. Jo-

G 1 might

84 The LIFE of Chap. VL

Jofhua might be heard. Five of thefc, t;/;^. Mt. Philip Nje^
Hoyle. ^j-. Thomtis GcoAvoin^ Mr. Jeremiah Burrcu^hs, Mr. 5y-
Mr. Tlio. ^raclj Sympfn^ and Mr. If^illinm BnHge^ were call'd the
tpis Wr- i3iff^,j^t-,ng Brethren. They joyn'd wirh the reft, 'till
on Of ' ^^^ ^^^ drawn up the Confeifion of Faith, and larger
Mr Tho SLfi^ fnialler Catechifm: But when they came to Church
Modgcs of

Kenfington. Mr. Thorr.:?s Biyiy of Nhningford Biuce. Mr. Francis Tay-
lor of Ya'ding. Mr. Ihorrns Young of Stowmarkec. Mr. Thomas Va-_
Itntinc o/Chalfont Giles, B. D. Mr. William Greenhill of Stepney
Mr. Edward Peak of Compton. Trhg John Green of Pencombe. Mr. An-
diev/ Pern o/* VVilby. >iy. Samuel de la Place. Mr. John de la March.
Mr. John Drury. Mr. Philip pelme. /1'/r. Sydrach Sympfon of London.
Mr. John L^ngley of Weftnderly. Mr. Richard Cleyton of Showel.
My. -<4rf/;r;vSalwey o/Seavernftoak. iifr. John Ley o/Budworth. A/r. Charles
Herleo,^ Winwicki ^/jo was Prolocutor after Dr Twifs. Mr. Herbert Pal-
mer of AQiWcil, B. D vpho rffas Afefor after Mr- White. Mr. Daniel
Ciwdrcy. Mr. Henry Painter of Excefter, B.D. MY. Henry Scudder of
CoMngbiirn. Mr. Thoma? Hill of Tichmarch,.B. D. Air. William Reynor
of Egham. Mr Ihomas Goodwin 0/ London, B.V. Mr. William Spur-
ftow of Hampden. Mr. Matthew Newcomen of Dedham. Mr. Jolin Co-
nant n/ L^'ffiington, B. D. Dr. Edmund Staunton of Kingfton. Mr. An-
thony Burgeffe 0/ Sutton Coldficid. Mr. William Rathband. Mr. Francis
Cheynel o/Oxon. Mr. Henry Wiikinfon /««. B. D. Mr. Obadiah Sedg-
Wick of Cogfhall, B. D. Mr. Edwaid Corbet of Merton-College, Oxon.
>^/r. Samuel Gibiono/BurJey. Mr- ihomas Coleman 'jfBliton. yV/r. Theo-
dore Hackhurft 0/ Overion VVatervile. iV/r. William Carter 0/ London.
t>r. Pctef Smith. Mr. Juhn Maynard. Air. William Price of Paul's
Covcnt-Garden. Dr, John Wir.cf'p 0/ St. Martin's i«^/je F/e/^<. >/r. Wil-
liam Bridge 0/ Yarmouth. A:r. Peter Sterry of London. Air. William
Mew of Efling-on, B. D. Mr Benj. Pickering of Eafthoatly. Mr. John
S'rickland of New Sarum. Air. Humphrey Hardwicke. Air. Jafper Hickes
of La wrick. Mr. John Bond. A r. Henry Hall of Norwich, B. D.
"Mr. Thomas Ford. Mr. Thomas Thorowgood of MalTingham. Mr. Pe«
rcr C J irk. A/r. William Good. Air John Fovcroit o/Goth:im. />ir. John
Ward. y)/r. Richard B;Held. y>/r Francis Woodcock. A/r. J. Jackfon.
The Commiffioners for Scotland Wfr?, the Lord Maitland. Air. Alexander
Hcnderlbn. A/r. George Gillefpie. A^r. Samuel Rutherford. AndMr.Ko^
Lcrt Biylic. UJ)e Scribes were Air. Henry Robrough. Mr. Adoniram Byfield.
And Mr. ]o]m VVallis.

7 here tpas aFrormfe or Vovf taken by eyery Member., vho vfds admitted to
/'tin thlf AjfcwL/y, of this Tenour : I A. B. do ferioufly Promife and
Vow in the Prcitjicc of Almighty God, that in this Alfeinbly whereof I-
am a Member, I will maintain nothing in Point of Dortrine, but what
3 believe tg be niofl agreeable to the Woid of God : Nor in Point of
pifcipline, but what may make moft tor God's Gloryj and the Peace and
Good of his Chuj cl).

government:

Chap. VL Mr. Pvichard Baxter. 85

->

Government, they engagd them in long Debates, and This Af-
kept the Matter as long as they coujd undeterniin'd : Tembly /5r/2
And after that, they kept it fo long unexecuted in al- ^^^^ '» Ju-
raoft all Parts of the Land, except London and Lanca- ^y '^43*
[hire, that their Party had Time to ftrengthen them- ^!^"'^ ■^'"'^"

bet teas de-
fi^nd to be
no. The Eplfcopal Uhines refuflng to appear among them^ and fame others
that were nominated^ abfenting themfehes, on th? Account of Age and In-
difpofitlon^ many others were joined to them, who were cali'd the Super-added
Divines. Each Member had four Shillings a Day allow d him by the Parlia-
ment toxffardshis Expences. They continud their Meetings in the Tears 1644.
and 1 645 But after the taking 0/ Oxford, when the Country was ^niet^
they moft of them return d to their own Cures, and fo the Affembly was re-
folvd into a Sort 0/ Committee /or the examining the Abilities and good Ajfe-
flions of fuch as were prefented to Livings, but was never formally dijfoly'd
by the Authority that call'-d it.

The Minutes of this Aflfembly are yet refervd in private Hands. The
mofi remarhahle Hints concerning their Debates that are pubUp^d to tbs
World, are to be met with in the Life of Dr. Lightfoor, before his Works
in Folio, and in the Preface to the fame Doflor's Kemains in Oii-avo ; for
which we are indebted to the Ingenious Mr. Sti'vpc, frefent Incumbent o/LoV/
Ley ton. The Altembly met with many Difficulties. They were not gnlj
ernbarrafs'd by the DilTenting Brethren, but by the Learned Mr. Selden, whg^
often employ d hi s IT ncommon Learning, rather to pcrplexthanclear the Matters
that came before them. The Eraflims alfo that were in tJjc Ajfembly, of
whom: Air. Coleman and Dr. Lightfoot were rechond the Principal Perfons^
created them a '^reat deal of Trouble. And yet after all, it mufe be acknorp"
ledg'd, they went as far towards clearing the Matters rejerr'd to them, 4S
could be expcfted from Men in their Circumjtances.

One of their firft Puhlick Afts was the prefenting a Petition to the two
Houfes for a Vaji, which was readily comply d with. After which they
proceeded to draw up a Letter to tlie feveial Reformed Churches Abroad,
with an Account of their Clrcumftances and Intentions. And being called
together to give Advice concerning the fettling of DoClrine, Worjhip and
church Government, they after fame Time prefented to the Parliament, A
ConfeHion of Fait/h : A larger and lliorter Catechifm : A Directory
for the Publick VVorftiip of God throughout the Tliree Kingdoms o^
England, Scotland, and Ireland : And their Humble Advice concerning
Church Government. After the la/i had been prejl'nted, the two Houfes
of Parliament agreed upon fundry Ordinances, Direilions, and Fotes for the
fpeedy E/iablifiment of the Presbytcrial Coyernment. They were publifj'd
fin4er thefe Titles. Dircdions for the Chooiing of Ruling Elders in aJI
Congregations, Augufi 19. 1 64 5. Rales and Direaions concerning
Sufpenlion from the Sacrament of the Lord's-Siipper, in Cales o^' Igno-
rance and Scandal, oa. 20. 164$. An Ordinance for keeping <if Sc?n-
dalous Perfons from fhe Lord's-Suppcr, March 14. 16 j6. An Oidi-

G ^ felvcs

86 The LIFE of Chap. VI.

nance for felves in the Army and Parliament, and hinder the Exe-
the prefent cution after all, and keep the Government determin'd
fettling of^ jj Stranger to moft of the People of the Nation,
(without ^^,[^Q knew it but by Hear fay, as it was reprefented
Sfoftty Reporters.

Presby re-
rial Government in the Church of England, Jnn- 5- 1.6^6. Remedies
for rcmovinp ibme Obfiruftions in Church Government, Afril 22.
1647. An Ordinance for the Ordination of Minifters by :the Claffical
Prcsbycprp, Au;^. 28. \6^6. An Ordinance for the fpeedy dividing and
fettling the feveral Counties of tlie Kingdom, into diftinft ClalTical
Presbyteries, and Congregational Eldcrniip?, '/^n. 29. 1^47. ——-4/*
ter vfhich^ the Debates between the Diifenting Brethren and the reft of
the Alfembly, about Church Government, voere ordered to be printed by the
Tarli4>ncnt, and there was an End of the intended Settlement.

There it one Work unjuflly Afcribed to this Affembly, and that is the

Annofsrions on the Bible, which commonly bear their Name. It is true,»

as is hin ted in the Freface before the faid Notes, the fame JParliament that

cal I' d thp A(kmh\y, employ d the Authors of thofe Annotation^: Vor Let-

ter< rvere dlrefhed to them by the Chairmen of the Committee for Keligion,

wrinir thpir Undertahin'Z, of that Work : And they were by Order of that

Cr.mmittee furr.ijJ)''d with whatfoerer Books were needful. It is alfo true,

T^'at fev.ral of thofe that were concern d in it, were Members of the

yT'^hly : And yet it was not undertaken by the Dire^ion or with the

the Ajfembly :, nor were the major Part Members of the Ajfem'

r did itiy deputed by the Ajfembly reriew the Work when it wai

: So that it cannot, upon any Account, be faid to be theirs. How-

was a good Work in its Seafon, and I fljall add the Names of the

r Authors, as far as my bejl Encjuiry would help me to Intelligence.

. '. \rv, Sub-Dean 0/ Chefter, did the Pentateuch. Dr. Gouge had the

.:• ' Books of Kings, and Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah and Efther for his

J -.'yince. Mr. Meric Cafaubon did the Vhlms, Mr. Francis Taylor the

■ roverbs, And Dr. Reignolds,Ecclefiaftes. Mr. Swalwood who wasrecom-

r-. .idcd by Archbijhop Uflier, did Solomon's Song. TJje Learned Gataker

' ./ Ifaiah, Jeremiah, and Limeniations ; And is {in the Opinion of many

Cn.petent Judges) exceeded by no Commentator, Anttent or Modern, on thofe

f^ooks. Ezekiel, Daniel, and the fmall Prophets, were in the firji Edition

done by Mr. Pemberton, and in the Second by Bifhop Richardfon. The Notes

on the four Evangclifts, are Mr. LeyV, and thofe en S^PauI'i Epifiles Dr.Feat-

l^.v's ', which latter are broken and i-.jpcrfec}, on the Account of tijc Author s

dyin'T before he had rerls'd or fnifl/d them. There were alfo tr^o other Per-

fens cn.Ktrn'd in this Work^ viz. Mr. Downame and Mr. lU'^ding, who

mi<rht ^'robubly hure tht other Parts of Stripturc allotted tbem^ that are no(

here mention d.

Among

Chap. VI. Mr. Richard Baxter. 87

Among other Parts of their Truft, one was to ap-
prove of all that fhouJcl be admitted into any Church
Livings, They had no Power to put any out, but on-
ly were to judge of the Fitnefs of fuch as were laken
in. The Power of Cafting Que was in a Committee
of Parliament Men at London, and partly alfo in the
Committees of the feveral Counties. Th(fe that were
Secjueftredy were generally by the Oaths of feveral Wit-
neffes ^rov'd infujfficietit ov/candalous^ or both j" efpecal*
ly guilty of Drunkonnefs and Swearing : And thofe that
were Abie and Pious Preachers^ that were cait oil'- tor
the War alone, as for Opinions fake, were compara-
tively few : *Tis pity indeed there were any. Ai d tho''
now and then an imworthy Perfon by Sinif^er Mraus
crept into their Places, yec commonly thofe that were
put. in, were fuch as fet themfelves laborioufly 10 fcek
the faving of Souls. But to return to Mr. Bnxter.

After the Great Fight at Nafeby^ which was not ^„, i^Ai-
far from Coventry^ he went into the Army, to vilit h? yifits
fome few of his old intimate Friends. He ftay'd 2ithejir7ny.
Night with them, and got fuch Intelligence as to the
State of the Army, as amaz'd him ; he found Plotting
Heads were hoc upon what intimated their Intention
to Subvert both Church and State. Independency and
Annhnpiftry extreamiy prevail'd among them ; and
Antinomittnifm and Arminieinifm were equally diftri-
buted : And Thomas More's Followers, had made a
Shift to joyn thefe two Exireams together. Many
Common Soldiers, and fome of the Officers, were ko-
neft, fober and orthodox Men ; but a few proud, felf-
conceited, hot-headed Sectaries, had got into the
higheft Places, and v/ere CrormveCs chief Favourites,
and by their very Heat and Activity bore down the
reft, or carried them along with them, and were the
Soul of the Army, tho' much fewer in Number than
the reft. They tho't Providence would caft the Trufl:
of Religion and the Kingdom upon them as Conque-
rors^; they made nothing of all the moft Godly ancj
Wife Men in the Armies and Garrifons, that were not
of their Way : Per fas aut nefas. By Law pr without ir,
they were refolv'd to take down not only Bi/hops^
Liturgies and Ceremonies^ but all that did withftand
them. Separatifts and Sectaries were the Perfons moft
HQnaur*4 I but Qromwel and bia Council joyn'd iq

88 The LIFE of Chap, VI.

with no Party, being for the Liberty of all. Upon
this he lamented that the Minifters had forfakcn the
Army, betaking themfelves to an ealier and quieter
Way of Life, as they had moft of them done, after
li:!ge-HUl Fight : For by their Staying and Diligence
they might in all Probability have prevented the Infe-
ction of the Army, and the Mifchief that followed up-
on it. Neither could he forbear Reflediing with Re-
gret upon his own Rcfufal to comply with an Invita-
tion from Crcmvccl j who when he firft rais'd his Troop
(which was to be a gathered Church) that was after-
wards fo Famous, fenc to him from Cambridge to Coven-
try^^fi Invitation to come and be their Paftor ; which was
univerfally Sublcrib'd. He lent them a Denial, re-
proving their Attempt, and telling thetn wherein
his Judgment was againft the Lawfulnefs and Conve-
nience of their Way, and fo he heard no more from
them. But afterwards meeting Cromwel at Leicefier, he
expoftulated with him for his Refufal. Thofe very
M^nwho then invited him to be their.Paftor, were the
Men that afterwards headed much of the Army, and
feme of them were the forwardeft in all the Pub-
lick Changes ; which made him wifh he had gone a-
mong them, when all the Fire was in one Spark,
Captain Evan/on told him, ^Twas not yet too Ute to* do
Service ; that the ^^giment he xvas of, was one of the moji
Religious, Valiant and Succefsful of the Army^ but in as
much Danger tis any ; and therefore he prefs'd him to
come among them. He was loath to leave his Studies,
Friends and Quietnefs at Coventry, to go into an Army
of fuch a Complexion ; bur he tho't the Publick Good
commanded him, fo he gave him fome Encourage-
ment : Whereupon he told his Colonel (fVhalley) who
was an Orthodox Man, but engaged to Cromwel by
Kindred and Intereft : He invited him to he Chaplain to
his l^gimetit ; whichhe took a Day's Time to confider
of before he gave his Anfwer.

Coming Flome to Coventry^ he confulted the Mini-
flers that were there about the "Matter: He acquainted
thcui with the Intelligence he had gotten, and the In-
vitation that was made him. He told them, That all
was in Dang^. ; that the Fate of the Kjngdom vfas like to
foUow the Di/pojition and Inter eft of the Conquerors ^ and
that for his Part^ th^ he k/tew his H'eak^cfs to be fiich that

he

Chap. VI. Mr, Richard Baxter. 89

he fhould run the Hn:{nrd of hit Life ; and tho' he could
7iot but exfeH the EjfeBs if their Fwj, end tho' he knew
it was not much that one Man could do^ yet if they appre-
he?ided it to be his Duty, he would venture his Life among
thein ; and did not knovp but fome ether Mlnifters might
he drawn in, andfo more of the Evil he prevented. Dr. Bryan^
Dr. Grew, and other Miniftersthen prefenr, finding his
own Judgment for it, and being mov'd with the Caufe,
unanimoufly gave their Judgment for his going. Up-
on which he went diredily to the Committee, and told
theoSy He had an Invitation to the Army, and defired their
Confent to gc. After fome Confultation, they left it
wholly to the Governour ; telling him, That if he con',
fentedy they fhould not hinder him. His Confent he foon
obtain'd 5 for Colonel Barker was juft then going out,
and was therefore the more willing to yield to Mx. Bax-
ters going, that he himfelf might be mifs'd the more.
Whereupon, he fent Colonel Wu alley Word, That he
vpcuid fpeedily be with him. The Committee afterwards was Becomei a
much againft his going, but he pleaded their Confent, chaplain
and told them, He had prcmifed, and therefore was fofitive, to a Regi-
but he gave them his Reafons, taken from the State nient^
of the Army ; which Col. Purefoy ^who was one of them,
and a Confident of CromweCs^ took Care to give him
Intelligence about. Which was the Caufe that, when
he came to the Army, Cromwel but coldly welcom'd
him, and never fpake one Word more to him while he
was there. And his Secretary gave out, That there was
^ Reformer come to the Army to undeceive them and to fave
Church and State • whereby he underftood that his Dif-
courfe before the Coventry Committee ^vidiS got to the Ar-
my before him.

Here he fet himfelf from Day to Day, to find out rhe State
the Corruptions of the Soldiers, and to Difcourfe and of the Ar-
Difpute them out of their Miftakes, both Rehgious my and hit
and Political. His Life amongft them was a daily Paim a-
Contending againft Seducers. He found that many wowj <''ew-
honeft Men of weak Judgments, and little Acquain-
tance with fuch Matters, had been feduc'd into a dif-
puting Vein, and made it too much of their Religion
to talk for this or that Opinion : Sometimes they
would vehemently contend for State Democracy, and at
other Times for Church Democracy ; fometimes againft
^orms of Prayer, and fometimes againft Infant Baptifm ;

fometimes

90 The LIFE of Chap. VI.

fomecimes agaiiift Set-times of Prayer^ and againft the
Tying of our Iclves to any Duty before the Spirit moves
US; and fomedmes about Free-Grace and Free'J>yill i and
alJ the Points of Antimmianifm and Arminianifm. So
that he was almoft always Difputing with one or other
of them, fometimes for Civil Government^ and fome-
limes for Church Order and Government ; fometimes for
Infant Baptifin ; and often againft Antinomianifm,
and the contrary Extream. But their moft frequent
and vehement Difputes were for Liberty of Confcience^
as they callM it ; rhat is. That the Civil Magiftrate
had nothing to do in Matters of Religion, by Con-
ftraint or Reftraint, but every Man might not only
Hold and Believe, but Preach and do in Matters of Re-
ligion what he pleas'd. He found that one half almoft
of the Religious Party among them, were fuch as were
eitht-r Orthodox, or but lightly touched with their Mi-
ftakfs; and almoft another half were Honeft Men,
that ftept further into the Contending Way, than they
could again get out of, but with competent Help might
be recover'd. But a few fiery felf-conceited Men a-
niong tbem kindled the reft, and made all the Noife
and Buflle, and carried about the Army as they pleas'd.
With thefe he endeavour'd to be Acquainted, and he
would be often Difputing with them in the hearing of
the reft ; and he found that they were generally Men
that had been harcht up in London among the Old Sepa-
ratifts^ and made it all the Matter of their Study and
Religion to rail againft Miniftcrs, Parifh Churches and
Presbyterians, and had little Knowledge, but were
fitrce with Pride and Self-conceit, having gotten a great
Conqueft over their Charity to all other Parties but their
own. Some of thefe Men became the Laughing Stock
ot the Soldiers before he left them : And when they
Preacird (for they were great Preachers) their Weak-
nefs cxpos'd them to Contempr. A great Part of the
Mifchief they did was by difperfing Pamphlets, which
the Soldiers would eagerly read in their Quarters,
when there was none to contrad'.(5t them. But there
was a yet more Dangerous Party among them, ( only
in Major Bethel's Troop, in UVi}alley''s Regiment ) who
took the dircd jefuitical Way. They hrlt moft ve-
hemently declaimed againft the Docliinc of Hledtion,
gpd for the Power of Free* Will, (^c. Then they as

iierccjy

Chap. VL Mr. Richard Baxter. ^i

fiercely cry'd down the Prefent Tranflaiion of Scrip-
tures, and debas'd their Authority, iho' they did not
deny them to be Divine. They cry'd down the Mini-
ftry of all forts, and all our Churches, they vilify'd al-
moft all .our Ordinary Worfhip, efpecially Singing of
Pfalms, and Conftant Family Worfhip ; they allowed
of no 'Argument from Scripture but in exprefs Words j
were vehement againft all Government but Popular j
and utterly againft any Concern of Magiftrares in Re-
ligious Matters. Whenever they Difputed, 'twas with
as much Fiercenefs as if they had been ready to draw
Swords. They trufted more to Policy, Scorn and
Power, than to Argument. Thefe People avoided
Mr, Baxter as much as poffible ; but if ever they en-
gag'd, they drown'd all Reafon in Fiercenefs and Ve-
hemence, and Multitudes of Words. They greatly
ftrove for Places of Command ; and when any Place
was due by Order to one that was not of their mind,,
they would be fure to work him out, and be ready to
Mutiny if they had not their Will. It look'd as if they
were Ac^ed by the Jefuits, but the

fecret Spring was out of fight*. ^^'^ *»^y '^''y ^eR fuf^pofe
Thefe were the Men, who were af- /'"»' °f ^H^ EmifTaries menti-
terwards call'd Levetters, and rofe "/^M?- 58, &c. ^o W ^ce«

up againft Cromwel, and were fur- ^'''\''' ^ i\/ n hi' 1

• » J T, r 1 T>i r ^L • Reziinents been as firtctk ob^

priz d at Murford. Thompfon their ^^^^,^ y ,,;,^^, ^ /^^^ ^^^^j.

General, who was flam upon the j^y', ^^ ly mt. Baxter /« that

Inlurre(aiOn in 1649, was no great- /,>f/g time he was among them^
er Man than one of the Corporals many of their Deeds of Varh-

of this Troop ; the Cornet and O- mfs might have been bro^t to ii'Tht.

thers being worfe than he.

He march'd with the Army Weftward againft my His Motiom
LordGor/«^,and was at the taking of Bridgwntey,2ind the ^ith th
Siege o^Brifiol, and Sherbon-Ca^le; and as they march'd -^'''"J-
along the Country, they were every where entertain d
with ftrange ^Intions of the Horrid Impiety and Outrn^
ges of the Lord Goring s Soldiers. A t)ber Gentleman
he quarter'd with at South-Pederton in Somer/etfhire, a-
VerrM to him, That with him a Company of them prickt
their Fingers^ letting the Blood run into a Cup, in which
they dranli^ a Health to the Devil. He was with the Ar-
my 3 Weeks at the Siege of Exater : And H'halley be-
ing order'd thence with a Party of Horfe to keep in the
Garrifon of O;cford, 'till the Army could come to Be-

92 The LIFE of Chap. VI.

(lege ir, he accompany'd him ; was with him 6 Weeks
Wioxt Banbury^Ca^ls^ and ii Weeks at the Siege or
An. 1616. ^orcefter. And Col. V/ionHey being fiifpedted by the
Sedtarian Commanders ac the Head Qnarters for his
Chaplain's fake, loft the Government of that City when
he had taken it, which was given to Col. I{^ ins borough^
who was nif-re for their turn 5 under whom tho' the
5^<3rtr/>j profper'd in the City, yet the Country round
remained free from their Infedion. All this while he
had full Employment in Preachings Cotiference and Dif-
fillings againit the Sectarian Errours. The Soldiers of
that Stamp much infedled the Countries by their Pam-
phlets and Converfe, and the People admiring the Con-
quering Army, were ready to receive whatever they
commended to thenn. Qiiartering at Ag77iondrJham in
^ttckjnghnmfhircy he found fome Sectaries of Cheflodm
fiad fet up a Publick Meeting by way of Conference,
to propagate their Opinions thro' all the Country, ana
that in the Church, by the Encouragement of an Igno-
rant Led^urer. There he had a Conference with them
of a whole Day's Continuance, with good Succefs.
Bit Tulf lick When the ufual time of their Meeting came, Bethel's
Difpute Troopers (then Capt, Pitchfora^) with other Se(9:arian
with the Soldiers, muft be there, to confirm the Che/ham Men,
Seiiarics. ^^^\ make People believe that the Army was for them.
Mr. Bax'er tho't it his Dnry to be there alfo, and rook
divers fober Officers with him, to let them fee that
more of the Army was againft them than for them. He
took the Reading Pew, and Pitchford's Cornet and
Troopers took the Gallery. There was a crowded
Congregation of poor well-meaning People, who came
in the Simplicity of their Hearts to be deceiv'd. The
Leader of the Chefkam Men began ; Piecl.ford's Soldiers
followed ; and he difputed with them 'till it was al-
molt Night, determining not to leave them behind
hitn; knowing very well that if he had gone firft, they
would have Boafted extravagantly, and made People
believe that they had Baffled him. Their Nonfenfi-
Cal Uiicourfe, may be fecn in KdwarHs's (]nngra:na, in
which a Narrative of the AlTair is pubhlh'd, without
the mention of Mr. Baxte)\ Name, according to the
Account which he gave to a Friend in a Letter. He
had many Thanks for that Day's Work, and amongft
the reft from Dr. Crooks and Mr. L{ichnrd[cn^ the Redor

and

Chap. VI. Mr, Elichard Baxter. 02

and Curate of the Place, who being Royalifts durft
not open their Mouths for fear of Danger. The Sedla-
ries were hereby fo difcourag'd, that they never met
there any niore.

His great; Imped iiments as to the Succefs of his En-
deavours, lay in the Difcountenance of Crcmwcl and his
Chief Officers, who kept him a Stranger to their Meet-
ings and Councils; and the Incapacity he was under of
fpeaking to many, the Quarters of the Soldiers being
fo fcatter'd. So that the moft of the Service he did be-
yond J^P^ha/Ie/s Regiment, was by the Help of Cape,
Larvrence, with feme of the General's Regiment, and
with Major Harrlfon, and fome few others. But by
what Succefs he had, he found reafon to apprehend,
that if there had been a competent number of Miniftcrs,
each doing their Part, the whole Plot of the Furious
tarty might have been broken, and King, Parliament:
and RcHgion preferv'd. Sdltmarfh and De!i were the
two great Preachers at the Head-Quarters ; only Honeft
and Judicious Mr. Bdward Bovpjes kept ftill with the Ge-
neral. At length Mr. Copk_ of I{cxhnl alfo came to the
Army, to give AfCftance ; but he was foon weary.
Major-General Berry^ tbo* his Old Friend, never once
came to vifit him in the whole 2 Years he was in the Ar-
my, nor gave him the leai^ Encouragement j but look'd
always askew upon him.

When PVprcehsr, Siege was over, he went and vifir
ted his Flock at I\idermlv(ier, who expected that the
Country being clear'd, he fhould return to them, and
fettle in Peace among them: But going to Crvetury^
he again confulted the Minifters there about his Duty ;
he told them what Succefs he had already had, and
with what difficulty. He told them, That the grente^f
Service with the grentefl Ha:{ard xvai yet behind. That the
War being ended, the Army would certninly Jloortly fct up
for themfelves 5 thnt tho he could not fay he could do nny
great Matter to hinder it^ yet he having fome Jntcrcfl, Witi
willing to improve it to tie utmoft for the Publick, Good,
Upon the whole, the Minifters advis'd him to remain
with the Army, and yet for fome time longer to abfcnt
himfelf from his Flock. Accordingly he return d to the
Array for a little while, but was foon feparated from
tbem by his great Weaknefs, occafioned by the Lofs o^ He leayes
a Gallon of Blood at the Nofe. Upon which retiring to the Army.

_94 The LIFE of Cfaap. Vt.

Sir yho,{{oufe\ he was taken up with daily Medicines
to prevent a Dropfy, and was in continual expediation
Death. By this Providence, God unavoidably pre-
venred the Efted of his Purpofes, in his laft and cbief-
elt Oppotinon to the Army ; and took him off at the
Very time when his main Attempt Ihould have bePun.
His Purpofe was to have done his beft, firft to take off
the Kegnnent which he was with, and then with Capt.
l^nwYcnce to have try'd upon the General's Regiment,
(in which 2 were Cromml\ chief Confidents) and then
to have joyn d with others of the fame mind. But the
determination of God againft it was very obfervabJe.
(\l^ r'^^'y time chat he was Bleeding, the Council
ot War fat at Nonhgbnm, where they firft began to
open then Purpofes and aft their Part: And prefently
atter they enterd into their Engagement at TriploL
Heath, Tho had he had Scope for the Attempt he
delignd in ail probability he had had but fmaJl Suc-
cels ; and had been much more likely to liave loft his
JLite ^inong them in their Fury, than to have reach'd
nisJind.

A General And here the Account which Mr. Baxter hath given

^IX/'^-lr^V^^Sf,^!?^ ^^^^---n General, comes in^Iry
cune.. naturally. Thefe are the People whom he moft indu-
ftnoLily m thefe Times fefhimfelf to oppofc, forc-
lecmg the i 1 Tendency of their Principles and Pradi-
ces. Take bis own Words. *' Thefe are they (fays he)
Who have been moft addided to Chnrch-Divifions,
and Separations, and Sidings, and Parties, and have
refas d all Terms of Concord and Unity. Who tho'
« *"^i?/,^^ ^^^F^ w<^3^ 2"^ raw, were yet prone to be
^^ puff d up with hi^hTho'is of tbemfelves, and to o-
vcr- value their little Degrees of Knowledge and
Farts, which fet rhcm not above the Pity of undcr-
ftanding Men. They have been fet upon thofe Cour-
Ics which tend to advance them above the Common
,, people, in the Obfervation of the World, and to fee
^^ them at a farther dillance from others than God allow-
^^ cth, and all this under the Pretence of the Purity of
the Church. In Profecudon of their Ends, there are •
tew ot the Anabapti^s that have not been the Oppo-
ters and Troublers of the Faithful MiniHcrs of God
in the Land, and t!ie Troublers of their People, and
ttjndercrsof rheirSuccefsi ftrengthcningthe Handsof

1 the

4i

u

*(

it.

C(

u

'if

Chap. VI. Mr. Richard Baxter. 95

the Profane. The SeHarics (efpecially the Annb.iptifis,
Seekers^ and Qual{ers) chofe out the moft able zealous
Minifters, to make the Marks of their Reproach and
Obloquy, and all becaufe they flood in the Way of
their Defigns, and hindred them in the propagat-
ing their Opinions. They fet againft the lame
•Men as the Drunkards and Swearers fet againft,
and much after the fame Manner ; reviling them,
and raifing up falfe Reports of them, and doing all
that they could to n>ake them odious, and at laft
attempting to pull them all down : Only they did
it more prophanely than the Prophane, in that they
faid , Let the Lord be glorified ^ Let the Gofpel be pro-
pagated ; and abns'd and profan'd Scripture, and the
Name of God, by enticUng him to their Fadion
and Mifcarriages. Yea, tho' they tho't themfelves
the moft Underftanding and Confcientious People
of the Land, yet did the Gang of them feldom ftick
at anv Thing which feem'd to promote their Caufe ;
but whatever their Fadtion in the Army did, they
pleaded for it, and approv d it. If they pull'd down
the Parliament, Imprifon d the Godly F jithfal Mem-
bers, and kill'd the King; if they caft out the
I{ump, if they chofea UrW^ Pariiament ot their own,
if they fet up Cromwel, if they fet up his Son and
pull'd him down again, if they fought to obtrude
Agreements on the People, if they one Week fee
up a Council of State, and if another Week the
liump were reftor'd, if they fought to take down
Tythesand Parilh Minifters, to the utter Conhirion
of the State of Religion in the Land ; m all ihefe
'the Anahaptifts and many of the Independents in the
three Kingdoms followed theuj, and even their Pa-
ftors were ready to lead them to confent.
** And all this began but in imxvarrdntable SepAr/iti-
ons and too much aggravating the Faults of -the Churches
and Common People, and Common-Prayer Book, ^^nd
Mlnifiry- which indeed were none of them with-
out Faults to be lamented and amended. But they
tho*c that what ever needed Amendment required
their Ohfiinate Separation, and that they were allow d
to make odious any Thing that was amifs: And
becaufe it was faulty, if any Man had rebuked hem
for belyisgit, ind making it f»r «iore faulty than ^t

<jS The LIFE of Chap. VI.

*' was, inftead of confelling their Sin, they call'd their
" Reprover a Pleader for Antichrift or BaaL Every
" Errovir in the Mode of the Common Worihip, they
" had no titter Name for than Idolatry, Popery, Anti-
" chriftianifm, Superftition, Will-worihip, (^c. When
" in the mean Time, many of their own Prayers
*' were fall ot" Carnal Paflion, Selfirtmefs, Fa(3:ion,
*' Diforder, Vain Repetitions, unfound and loathfome
*' Expreffions, and their Dodrine full of Errours and
" Confufion : And thefe Beams in their own Eyes,
'* were Matter of no Offence to them. They would'
" not Communicate with that Church where ignorant
*' Perfons or Swearers were tolerated, (iho* they thera-
" felves never did their Part to have them caft our,
" but look'd that the Minifters Ihould do all without
** them ) but without any Scruple they would' Com-
" municate with them that had broke their Vow and
" Covenant with God and Man, and rebell'd againft
*' all kind of Government that was fet up, (even by
*' themfelves) and did all the fore-recited Evils,

*' I know ( fays he) the fame Accufations are laid
** by fome in Ignorance or Malice, againft many that
'* are guilty of no fuch Things, and therefore fome
" will be oflFended at me, and fay I imitate fuch Re-
" proaches: But Ihall none be Reprov'd, becaufe
" ibme are Slander'd ? Shall Hypocrites be free from'
'" Convidlion and Condemnation, becaufe Wicked
** Men call the Godly Hypocrites ? Woe to the Man
** that hath not a faithful Reprover; but a Thoufand
" Woes will be to him that hnteth Reproof: And Woe
" to them that had rather Sin were credited and kept
** in Honour, than their Party Diftionour'd ; And Woe
** to the Land where the Reputation of Men doth keep
" Sin in Reputation. The Scripture it felf will not fpare
*' a Noah, a Lot^ a D ivid^ an He-{ekjAl\ a Jrfi(il.\ a Pe-
*' ter^ but will open and Ihame their Sin to all Gener
" rations : And yet alas ! the Hearts of many, rhat it is
'* to be hop'd are truly Religious, will rife againft him
" that fhall yet tell them of the Mifdoiiigs of thole of
*' their Opinion, and call them to Repentance. The
" poor Church of Chrift, the fober, found. Religious
" Part, are like Chnft that was Crucify'd between two
*' Malcfacfiors i tiie Profane and Formal Perfecutors
" on pne Hand, and ihe Fsuuiick Dividing Sedtaries

" on

Chap. VL Mr, FLichard Baxter. 57

on the other Hand, have in all Ages been grinding
the Spiritual Seed, as the Corn is ground between
the Milftones : And tho* their Sins have ruin d them-
felves and us, and filenc d fo many hundred Mini-
" fters^ and fcatter'd the Flocks, and made us the Ha-
** tred and Scorn of the ungodly World, and a By-
word, and Defolation in the Earth, yet there are
few of ihem that lament their Sin, but juftify them-
felves and their Mifdoings, and the Penitent Male-
fadlor is unknown to us. And^ feeing Pofterity muft
know what ihey have done, to the Shame of our
Land, and of our facred Profeffion, let them know
thus much more alfo, to their own Shame, that ail
the Calamities which have befallen us by our Divifi-
ons, were long forefeen by many; and they were
'* told and warn'd of them Year after Year. They
'* were told, that a Houfe divided againfi it felf could
*' not flandy and that the Courfe they took^ xvottld bring
'' them to Shame ^ and turn a hopeful I{eformation into a
*' Scorn, and make the Land of their Nativity a Place of
" Calamity and Woe ; but the Warning fignify'd nothing
" to them ; but tbefe Dudtile Profeflbrs blindly fol-
" low'd a few felf-conceited Teachers to this Mifery,
** and no Warning or Means could ever ftop them.

" A few Diffenting Members of the PVeftminfier Sy»
" nod began all this, and carried it far on. That
" good Man Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs joyn'd him felf
" to them in Name ; but as he never pradtis'd their
" Church-gathering Way, fo at laft he was contented
" to have united, upon the Terms which were offer'd
'* them, and wrote an excellent Book of Heart Divi-
*' Jions. Afterwards they encreas'd, and others joyn'd
*' themfelvesto them, who partly by StifFnefs and parc-
** ly by Policy, encreas'd our Flames, and kept o- -
*' pen our Wounds, as if there had been none but ihey
*' Confiderable in the World : And having an Army
" and City Agents, fit to fecond them, effediually hm*
" dred all Remedy, 'till they had dafh'd all into Pieces
" as a broken Glafs. O what may not Pride do, and
*' what Mifcarriages will not falD Principles and Fa-
^* aion hide ! One would have iho't that if their Op:.
*' nions had been certainly Tme, and their Church Order
'' good; yti the Interef^ of Cbrift, and the Souls ot
rj* Men, and of greater Traths, Ihould have been lo
*■ ^ H regarded

98 The LIFE of Chap. VL

'* regarded by the Dividors'm kngland, as that the Safe-
*' ty of allthele lliould tiave been preferr'd, and notali
** ruin'd, rather than tlieit- Way fhould want its Carnal
*' Aim and Liberty : And that they (hould not tear the
" Garment of Chrift all to Pieces, rather thart it fliould
*' want their Lace.

Many new SeHs alfo fprang op in thefe Times, whofe
Doifirines Were almoft the fame, iho' ihcy put on diffe-
rent Names and Shapes.
^. u Sir Henry Vane had a fet of Difciples, who firft
Va " d fp^^"g under him in Kexv-EngUnd, when he was Go-
h^ToUow' vernour there. But their Notions were then raw and
tfs, qndigefled, and their Party quickly confounded by

God's Providence, as appears from hit. The, Weld's Ac-
count. One Mrs. Dyer, a Chief Perfon of the Seff, did
fiyfi bring forth n Monfier^ which had the Parts of almofi
nil Sorts of Living Creatures ; fame Parts lil^e Marij hui
moH ugly and miffUcd ; and fome like Beajis^ Birds, and
Fijhes, having Horns, Fins and Claws : And at the Birth
cf it the Bed fhocl{, and the iVotnen VQcre forced to leave the
I{pdm. Mrs. Hutchinfon, the chief Woman among
themj and their Teacher^ (to whofe Exercifes a Con-
gregation of them us'd to affemble) brought forth about
30 Mifhnfen Births at once; and being banifli'd into a-
nother Plantation, tvas kiH'd there by the Indians,
' Sir Henry K/j«c being Governour, and found to be the
Life of their Caufe^ was fain to ftcal away by Night,
and take Shiping for England, before his Year of Go*
vernment was at an End. Coming over into England^
he provM an Inftrument of greater Calamity to a finful
People. Being chofen a Parliament Man, he was very
Adive at firft for bringing Delinquents to Punifhment.
He was the Principal Man that drove on the Parliament
with that Vehemence againft the King. Being of rea-
dy Parts, great Subtilty, and unwearied Induftry,-
he labour'd, and not without Succefs, to win others
in Parliament, City, and Country to his Way. When
the Earl of Strafford was accus'd, he got a Paper out of
bis Father's Cabinet, ( who was Secretary of State )
which was the chief Means of his Condemnation. Ta
molt cf the Changes that followed, he was that within
the Houfe, that Cromwel was without. His great Zeal
to inflame the War, and to cheiiih the Sedarics, and

efpecially

Chap. VL Mr. Richard Baxter.

erpecially in the Army, madchim above all Men to be
valu'd by that Parry.

His Unhappinefs lay in this. That his Doarines
were fo cloudily form'd and exprefs'd, that few couJd
underftand them ; and therefore he had but few true
Difciples. The Lord Brook was flain before he had
broughr him to Maturity. Mr. Sterry is tho'c to have
httn of his Mind, being his Intimate; but he was fa-
mous for his Obfcuricy in Preaching. Sir Benj. f{udU
Ard us'd to fay of him. That he vs>r,s too high for this
fVorldy and too low for the next. Mr. Sprigs is the
Chief of his open Difciples, and he is too Well kn>)wn
by a Book of his Sermons. Sir Harry's O^fcurity
was by fome imputed to his not Underftanding him-
fclf, but by others to Defign ; becaufe he was able e-
nough to fpeak plain, when he pleas'd. The two
Things in which he had moft Succefs, and fpake moft
plainly, were his E^meji Phd f6t UnivevlA Liberty
of Confclsncc^ and againft the Magiftiates intermedling
With Religion, and his Teaching his Followers to /c-
vile the Minijiry^ calling them ordinarily B'nc^ Cocts^
Prieftsy and other Names which favour'd of Reproach^
"When Cr£>wwe/ had ferv'd himfelfby him as his furefl
Friend as long as he could, and gone as far with hin|
as their Way lay together, ( Fane being for a Fmatic^
Democracy^ and Cromwel for Mornrchy ) at lafl therd
Was no Remedy, but they muft part ; and he caft
him off with Difdain. Vnne thus laid by, wrote his
Book call'd. The [{etir'd Man's Mfdittt'nons ; whereir)|
the beft Part of his"Opinions are fo exprefs'd, as Will
make but few Men his Difciples. His Healing Qj/^fti-
on is written more plainly. When Croinvoel was aead^
he got Sir Arthur Hnfleriggc to be His clofe Adherent
on Civil Accounts, and got the -'vomp fet up again^
and a Council of State, and got the Power much into
nisown Hands. When in the height of his Power^ he
fet upon the Forming a New Common-^Vjalth, and with
feme of his Adherents dtew tip the Model, Which wii
for Popular Government ; but fo that Men of his Con-
fidence muft be the People.

It griev'd fuch a Man as Mr. Baxter to the Heart, to
(ee a poorKingdom fo tofs'd np and down in Unquict-
nefs, and the Mii»ftei:s made odious, and ready to b«
caftout, and stRcformation trodden underfoot^ and Par-
ti ^ liamenta

99

ICO The LIFE of Chap. VI-

liaments and Piety made a Scorn, and all the while
fcarce any one doubted but he was the Principal Spring
of ail. Therefore writing againft the Papifts, and
coming to Vindicate the ^e^orrnd Religion againft them,
when they impute to the Proteftants the Blood of the
King, he provM, That the Piotcftants, and particularly
the Presbyterians^ abhor r'd it, and fulFer'd greatly for op-
poling it ; and that it was the A61 of CromweCs Army
and the Sectaries^ among which he nam'd the Vanijis as
one Sort ; and he Ihew'd that the Fryars and Jefuites
were their Deceivers, and under feveral Vizors were
difpers'd amongft them. And Mr. 'Nye having told
him, That he was long in Italy^ he faid, U was confide-
Table kow much of his DoHrine he brot from thence Z
Whereas it prov'd, That he was only in France and
Sri^it:(erland, Upon the Borders of Italy, Upon this
Sir fJarry being exceedingly provok*d, threatened him
much, and fpoke againft him in the Houfe : And one
Stubbs, (that had been whip'd in the Convocation Houfe i.t
Oxford ) wrote a bitter Book in his Defence, and from
a Fanift he afterwards turn d a Conformifi, and after-
wards a Phyfician^ and was drown'd in a fmall Puddle
Or Brook, as he was riding near the Bath, Mr. Baxter's
Writing againft him was a Means to lefTen his Reputa-
tion, and make Men take him for what Cromwel (who
better knew him j call'd him, vi^^^, a Jugler, And he
wifh'd therefore he had taken the fame Method much
fooner. But the whole Land rang of his Anger, and
Mr. Baxters Danger, and all expe&ed his prefent Ruin
by him. Bur to fhew him that he was not about Re-
canting, (as his Agents would have perfwaded him) he
wrore alfo againft his Healing Qucftion, in a Preface be-
fore his Holy Common-wealth, And the fpeedy turn of
Affairs t/d up his Hands from executing his Wrath up-
on him.

When King Charles came in, he was queftion*d
with others by the Patliament, but feem*d to have his
Life fecur'd. But being bro*t to the Bar, he fpake fo
boldly in juftifyingthe Parliament's Caufe, and what
he had done, that it exafpcratcd the King, and made
him refolve upon his Death. When he came to Tower'
-Hill ro die, and would have fpoken to the People^
he b''gan fo rcfolutely, as caus'd the Officers to found
the Trumpets and beat the Drums, .^^q. hinder him

from

Chap. VL Mr. Richard Baxter. ,o

from fpeaking. No Man could die with greater Ap-
peatance of a Gallant Rcfolution, and Fearlefnefs than
he did, tho' before fuppos'd a Timerous Man. Info-
much, that the Manner of his Death procur'd him more
Applaufe than all the Adtions of his Life. And when
he was dead, his intended Speech was printed, and af-
terwards his Opinions more plainly exprefs'd by his
Friends than himfelf.

Another Se(f^ that then rofe up were the Seekers, seeJ:crs.
They taught, That the Serif tures were uncertain ; T/ jf
frefent Miracles were necejfary to Faith ; That our Mini-
ftry is nuUy and without Authority ; and our Worfhif and Or-
dinances unnecejfary or vain. The true Church, Miniftry,
Scripture, and Ordinances being loft, for which they
were feeding. The ?apifis hatcht and a^uated rhis
Sedl'. Some of them were real Papifis^ and others In-
fidels. However, they i'clos'd with the Vanijis^ and
fhelter'd themfelves under them, as if they had been
the very fame.

Another Sedl were calFd Ranters, They made it Ranters.
their Bufinefs, as the former, to fet up the Light of Na-
ture, under the Name of Chrift in Men, and to difho-
nour and cry down the Church, Scriptures, Miniftry,
■Worlhip and Ordinances ; and call'd Men to hearken
to Chrift within them. But withal, they conjoyn 'd a
curfed Dodtrine of Libertinifnj^ which bro't them to a-
bominable Filthinefs of Life. They taught, as the
Familijisy That God regardeth not the ABions of the out-
ward Man, hut of the Heart : And to the Pure, all Fh vgs
are Pure, even Things forbidden. And fo as allow'd by
'God, they fpake moft hideous Words of Blalphemy,
and many of them committed Whoredoms comnnnJy :
Infomuch, That a Matron of great Note for Sobriety,
being perverted by thefe People, turn'd fo iliame'ffs a
Whore, that ftie was Carted in the Streets of London,
There could never Sedt arife in the World, ^hat was a
louder Warning to Profeflbrs of Religion, t jc hum--
hie, fearful and watchful. Never could the World be
told more loudly. Whither the Spiritual Pride of un-
grounded Novices in Religion tendeth, and whither
they may be carried in the Stream of Sedls ard Fa-
dions. Often would they vent the moft horrid Oaths,
Curfes and Blafphemy, as the Effed of Knowledge, in
a Fanatick Strain, which they would father upon the

H 3 Spirit

102 The L I F n of Chap. VI.

Spirit of God. But the horrid Villanics of thij Sec^,
did not onl fpeedily extinguiili it, but alfo did as much
as any Thing ever did to difgiace all SiB/triej^ and to
reftore the Credit of the Mimftrv, and of fober Chri-
ftians. So that the Devil and the Jefuites quickly
found that this Way ferv'd not iheir Turn, and there-
fore they fuddenly took anoiher, and turn'd themfelves
into
Pk4/5«w, Q^iakers, who were but the I{^nters revcisM : Turn'd
frorn hprrid Prcfanevcjs and Blafphemy, to a Life of ex-
tream Aufteriry. Their Dodlrines were moftly the fame
with the I\f:nti<rs. They make the Light which every
Man hath within him a fufiicient Ruie j and confe-
quently the Scripture and Miniftry are fet light by.
They fpeak much for the Dwelling and Working of
the Spirit in us, but little of Juftification, Pardon of
Sin, and Reconciliation with God thro' Jefus Chrift.
They pretend their Dependanceon the Spirit's Conduci^
agamft fet Times of Prayer, and againft Sacraments,
Scripture and Miniftry. They will not have the Scrip-
tures cali'd the Word of God. Their Principal Zeal
lieth in railing at Minifters as Hireiirjgs^ Deceive s and
Fal/e Prophets, and in refufing to Swear before a Magi-
ftrate, ^c At hrft they us'd to fail into Trembling ;
and fometimcs Vomitings in their Meetings, and pre-
tended to be violently aded by the Spirit : But now
•that is ceafed, they onl meet, and he that pretendeth to
be moved by the Spirit, Speaketh ; and fometimes they
fay nothing ; but lit an Hour or more in Silence, and
then depart. One while feveral of them went Naked
thro* many chief Towns and Cities of the Land, as a
Prophetical Adt. S,ome of them having familh'd and
drown'd themfelves in Melancholiy, others have under-
taken by the Power of the Spirit to raife them ; as Sw
fan Picrjlyi did at Clninesv\tz.v iVorcefter, where they took
a Man out of his Grave, who bad fo made himfelf a-
way, and commanded him to Arife and Live; but to
their Shame. Their chief Leader James Nay/er^ adled
the Part of Chrift at BrifioJ, according to much of the
Hiftory of the Gofpel, and was long laid in Bridewel
for it, and liad his Tongue bar'd as a BJafphemer by the
parliament. Many F- <?;/c//c4wFryars, and other Papifts
have been provM iq he difguis'd Speakers in their Af-
femblies, But IVtlUam ^em^ their Modern Leader,

Chap. VL Mr. Richard Baxter. 103

hath undertaken the Reforming the Scd, and fet up
a kind of Miniftry among them.

The Behmenifts are another Se6t, whofe Opinions Behmenips.
were much like the former ; they being for the Suffi-
ciency of the Light of Nature, and a Dependence on
Revelations, &c. but they were fewer in Number, and
of much greater Meeknefs than the reft. Their Do-
^rine is to be feen in Jacob Behnens Books, by one that
hath nothing elfe to do, but to beftow a great deal of
Time to know, that his bombaft Words do fignify no-
thing more, than before was eafily known by Commoii
and Familiar Terms. Dr. Pordage and his Family were
of this Se(St, who liv'd together in Community, and
pretended to hold viiible and fenfible Communion with
Angels, whom they fometimes faw and fomctimes
fmelt. And they profefs'd to wait for fuch a Coming
Down of the Holy Ghoft upon them, as ftiould fend
rhem out as his MifTionaries, to unite and reconcile,
and heal the Churches ; and do Wonders in the World.

Another Sec^mafter was Dr. Gibhon, who had taken Gibbon.
a great deal of Pains to beat out a Scheme of Theology, Cell, Par-
with which he went about the Country to make Pro- Ker, 4/.4
felytes. This Scheme of his he recommended as con- Biddie.
raining the only Terms and Method to refolve all
Doubts whatever in Divinity, and unite all Chri-
ftians thro' the World. His Frame was the Contri-
vance of a Strong Head Piece, and was Secretly, and
Cunningly fitted to ulher in a Socinian Popery, or a
Mixture of Popery, and half Socinianifm. There were
many more Sedraakers: As Dr. Gcll, well known by
a Printed Volume in Folio ; And one Mr. Parl^ir,
who got an Intereft in the Earl of Pembroke, and wrote
a Book agaioft the AjfembUes ConfcJJion, in which he
takethupmoft of the Popilh Doarines, and rifeth up
acainft them with Papal Pride and Contempt buc
owneth not the Pope himfelf, but heaocth his Body
of Doctrine with the Spirit, as the Papifts do with
the Pope. Many of thefe tho* they ownd no^ thcm-
felves to be Papifts, did yet with fubtle Diligence
promote moft of the Papal Caufe, and get in with
the Religious Sort, either upon Pretence of Aujieny
Mortification, Angelical Communion «r d^f ';, .^'^p '
t hofe amongft the Cromwelians that he fufpeared for V^-
pifts, were fome that began as Strangers a»o»|,^"^

I04 The LIFE of Chap. VI.

Common Soldiers, and by degrees rofe up to fome In-
feriour Offices, and were moft Converfant with the
Common Soldiers ; but none of the Superiour Officers
feem'd fuch, tbo' feduc'd by ihera. The Socinians alfo,
in thefe Times, made fome Increafe by the means of
oneMr. B/^^/f, fome time Schoolmafter in Gloucefter^
who wrote againft ih^Godhend of the Holy Ghoft^ and af-
terwards of Cbrifi, His Followers inclind much to.
to meer Deifm, and Infidelity,
Mr. Bax- To return to Mt. B/txter. It was his Endeavour to
ter'5 Con- keep his People in Kjdcrminfter as free from any Con-r
diffi ai to cern in the Publick, Changes as was poffible. He kept.
:Bublick them from taking the Covenant^ as fearing it might be.
Oaths. a Snare to their Gonfciences : Nay, he prevented its
being much taken in the County, by his keeping the
Minifters from offering it to their People ; except in the
City of i^^crcejier, where he had no great Incereft. And
yet where Perfons took it, he could not fee hovp they
could have a Difpe?ifation as to the Obligation of it.
He could never judge it feemly for one Believing a
God, to phyfafi urAloofe with a dreadful Oath, as if
the Bonds of National and Perfonal Vovps were as eafily
ihak'd off as Sa?}ipfon s Cords. 'When the Engagemenf
came out, he Spake and Preach'd againft it, and dif-
fwaded Men from taking it. When he firft heard of
it, being in Company with fome Gentlemen of li^orce-
' (ler-floire^ he prefently wrote down above 20 Queries
againft it, intending as many more almofl againft the
Obligation^ asthofe were about the Senfe and Circum-
fiances. One that was prefent got the Copy of them,
and fhortly after they were publifh'd in a Book of
Mr. Henry Hall's as his own ; who was the fame Perfon
that was long Imprif n'd for writing againft Croynvoel.
Some Epifcopai Divines who wrote for ir, thus explain'd
it. By the Commor..weahh, they would n>ean the fort
of Common-weahh that then was in being. EfiabU/h'd,
they would take as meant only de FaBo, and not de
Jure^ and by mthout a Kjng, &c. they meant, altho*
there were no King for a time : So that they thus ex-
plain'd it ; / w/// be true to the Government of England,
tho at the prefent the Kjng and the Houfe of Lords are pttt
out of the Ex'rcife of their Power. Mr. Baxter cnde2L\'o\ud
■to convince People, that this was meer Juggling and
Jefting .with Mattcrs.too great to Lc jeOed with : Jind

that

Chap. YI. Mr, Richard Baxter. 105

thai as it ijiight be eafily known that the Impofers had
another Senfe, fo ir was alfo evident, that the Words
in their own obvious ufual Senfe among Men, were the
Promife or Engagement of a Subjecit as fnchto a Form of
Government, pretended to be eftablilh'd ; and that the
Subjed's Allegiance or Fidelity to his Rulers, could
not be acknowledg'd and given in plainer words : And
that by fuch Interpretations and Stretchings of Confci^
ence^ any TrcafonabJe Oath or Promife might betaken;
and that no Bonds of Society could fignify much with
fuch Interpreters.

He had not been long return'd to Kederminfter after JiU Vif-
his leaving the Army, before there was a mighty Con- pute with
teft between him and Mr. Tombs. He was his Neigh- ^/r. Tombs,
hour at B^W/fj', which was not above iMilesdiftant;
and denying Infant Baptifm, znd. having written a Book
or two againft it, he was not a little defirous of propa-
gating his Opinion, and promoting the Succefs of his
Writings ; and he tho't Mr. Baxter his Chiefeft Hinder-
er, tho' he never meddled with the Point. Whereup-
on he conftantly attended on his weekly Lec5lure at
I^derminfier, wailing for an Opportunity to fall upon
that Controverfy in his Conference with him. But he
fo ftudioufly avoided it, that he knew not how to be-
gin. At length, he urg'd him to give him his Judg-
ment of his Writings, which he really tho't unanfwera-
ble. Mr. Baxter freely told him. That they did not fa-
tisfy him to be of his mind; but went no farther with
him. Upon this, he forbore attending any longer up-
on his Lec3:ure, and unavoidably drew him into a Con-
troverfy with him, tho' he did all he could to fhun it.
There came to him 5 or 6 of his Chief Profelytes, as
if they were yet unrefolv'd, and defired him to give
them in Writing the Arguments which fatisfy'd him
for Infant Baptifm. He ask'd them, iVoether they came
not by M^, TombsV Direction ? Which they confefs'a.
He askM them, l^hether they had read the Bo^k^s of
Mr, Gobbet, Mr, Marlhal, Mr, Church, and Mr, Blake,
for Infant-Baptifm ? And they told him No. He defi-
led them to read the Books that were already written^ be-
fore they called for more, and then to come to him again^
and tell him what they had to fay againfl them. This
ihey would by no means do, but told him, They mujb
have fome thing of his PJ^riting upon that SuhjcH : And

that

io6 The L IFE of Chip, VI.

I 1 "" - —

that if he refrnd^ and thty tnrnd a^ainfi Infant-Ba^d/m,
they xoeuld lay the hUme upon him. He ask'd them, ^^/;e-
they would continue unrejolvd, \iU Mr, Tombs and he h/$d -l
done the H^ritings^ which might be fame Tears ; as it hnd I
been, fince Mr. Blake and he had been etigagd on that r
Subjeci, without hdving bro't the Contrcverfy to an IJfti^.
But no Reafoning would fen e their turn, they muft
have bis written Arguments. At laft he bid them tell
Mr. Tombs, That if they mufi needs contend^ ^twere heji ta
do it in the (horteji and moji fatisfaSory way, which be
tho't would be by Spending one whole Dny, in a Dijpute atl
his own Churchy where ha would attend him^ that his Pco'
pie might not remain unfatisfy^dy till they faw which had the
iaflM'^ord: And that afterwards they might confidcr of
Writing, Mr. Tombes accepting the Motion, Mr. Bax--
ter went to Bewdly, and held a Difpute in his Church
there, upon a Day agreed on, from Nine a Clock in
the Morning, 'till Five at Nighr, in a crowded Con-
gregation. The whole time was fpenc in managing
one Argument, From Infants BJght to Church-Member-
fioip, to their I{ight to Baptifm. This Difpute fatisfy'd |
all the People of Ksdermivfier^ and the Country round, j
v/ho came in to hear it, and Mr. Tombt*s own Townf- |
wen, except about 20 whom he had perverted, who
gather *d into his Church, which never, as he could
.Jearn, encreasM to above Two and Twenty.
'An. 16 $1. When the Army was going againft K. Charles the Se-
H» OppQ'Zondj and the Scots, he wrote Letters to feveral of the
fuon to th Soldiers to tell them of their Sin, and defired 'em ac
Eump. laft to begin to know themfelves. TelHng them, That
yt'feemd ftrange that they who hadfo much bonjled of Love
to all the Godly ^ and pleaded for tender dealing with them^
and condemned thofe who perfecuted them^ or reftraind their
Liberty, fhould at laft be ready to imbrew their Hands in
the Blood of thofe People^ the Piety of many of whom they
could not deny. At the fame time the I{iimp made an
Order, That all Minijiers fhould keep their Days of Humi^
liation, toFaJi and Pray for their Suoccfs in Scotland, and
their Days of Thankfgiving for their Vi&orics there, upon
pain of Sequejiration. Mr. Baxter and his Neighbours
ibereupon expefted to be turn'd out. But tho' there was
a general Noncompliance in thofe Pans, all except one
efcap'd. For his Part, inftead of Praying and Preach-
ing for them, when any of the Commitcee 01 Soldiers

were

Chap. VI. Mr. Richtrd Baxter. 107

were his Hearers, he labonr'd to help them to undcr-
ftand, what a Crime it was to force Men to pray for
the Succefs of thofe who were violating their Covenant,
sind going in fuch a Caufe to kill their Brethren ; And
what it was to force Men to give God Thanks for all
theii Bloodihed, ard to make God's Minifters and Ordi-
nances vile, and ferviceable to fuch Crimes, by forcing
Men to run to God upon fuch Errands of Blood and
Ruin : And whai it was to bt fuch Hypocrites as to
perfecute and caft out thofe that Preach the GofpeJ,
while they pretended the Advancement of the Golpcl,
and the Liberty of tender Confciences. His own
Hearers were fatisfy'd with hisDo(Strine, but the Com-
mittee Men look'd fower, but let him alone. And the
Soldiers laid he was lb like to Love^ that he would ne-
ver be quifit 'rill he was fhorter by the Head. Yet
none of them meddled with him farther than by the
Tongue, nor was he by any of them in all thofe
Times forbidden to Preach one Sermon, excepting
only that when once the High- Sheriff had fpoken to
him to Preach at the Affizes, he afterwards fent hint
Wort\ as from the Committee, to forbear: Saying,
that by Mr Mood's Means, (the Independent Preach-
er at the Coll'-ge at Worcefier) the Committee told him.
That they defired he might forbear Preaching before
the Judges, becaufehe Preach'd againft the State. But
afterward they excused it, as done meerly in Kindnefs
to him, to prevent his running himfelf into Danger and
Trouble.

When Cromwel had got the Afcendant, fober Pe(»-
ple were divided about their CondudI: towards him-
He had bro't Things to thai Pafs, that there was ncs
Profpetft of any Thing but Deftrudion, if be was not
taken for Governour. He made more Ufe of the wild-
headed Sedtaries, than barely to Fight for him. They
at laft ferv'd him as much by their Herefies, their En-
mity to Learning and the Miniftry, and their Perni-
cious Demands, which tended to Confufion, as they
bad done before by their Valour in the Field. Herein
lay much of his Art, that he could conjure up at Plea-
fure fome terrible Apparition of Agitators, Levellers,
or fuch like, who as they affrighted the King from
Hampton-Ccurty fo were they afterwards as ufeful in
^Blighting the People to fly to him for Refuge, that

io8

The LIFE of Chap. VI.

the Hand that wounded them, might heal them.' Ac
length he was as forward as any in exclaiming againft
the Giddinefs of thefc unruly Men, and he pleaded
carncftly for Order and Government, and would needs
become the Patron of the Miniftry, yet fo as to fecure
all others of their Liberty. Some that faw his De-
figns cry'd out, We will rather all Perifh, and fee both
Tytbes and IJniverfities overthrowriy than xve Vfill any way
fubmit to fuch deceitful Vfurpations, Others faid, It is
the Providence of God, who ever be the Injirument, which
hro't us into this Necejfity^ which we are unable to pre-
vertt : And being in it, we are not bound to cboofe our
own Deftruciion* Neceffity therefore requires us to accept
»f any one fo ^ule tiSy that is like to deliver m. But the
Generality of the Minifters went the middle Way, and
their Confcience. thus reprefented the State of their
Duty at that Time.

7he Con-
du6l of the

Minifers
towards
Cromwel
rvhen ^fo-
tfClor,

We acknowledge, that God Almighty hath over-
rul'd in all thefe great Mutations, and hath permitted
the Perfidiou(he6 of Men, and their Succefs. And
the Common Good being the End of all juft Govern-
ment, we may not do any Thing againft it, much lefs
to the Deftrudiion of it, under Pretence of refifting
an Ufurper, or of reftoring the Rightful Governour :
if the Univerfities be overthrown, the Fabrick demo-
lifh'd, the Lands alienated, the Miniftry put down,
the Tythes fold or given to the People, to engage them
all to be againft any Means which tend to a Recovery,
what ever we contribute to it, we do againft the King
and Kingdom, and do but cut his Throat in Kindnefs.
For we pull down the Houfe that he may be Mafter
of it, and deftroy the Common-wealth that he may
be Head of it : And we ftrengthen his Enemies by
our imprudent Paffions. But yet we mnft neither do
nor approve of Evil, for any Good End, nor forbear
in our Places feafonably to reprehend it. Therefore,
it is unlawful for us to Confent to any Governour but
the King, or take an Engagement, or Oath of Alle-
giance to them : But it is not unlawful to fubmit to
them, by living quietly in our Places, and to make
ufe of the Courts of Juftice eftablilh'd by Law, yea,
and to demand Protection even from an Ufurper. For
his ftepping into the Rulers Place, and ufurpingthe Go-
vcmmentjobligethhimto do all the Parts of i;he Govec-

nour's

Chap. VI. Afr. Richard Baxter. 109

nour's Office, while he is there ; and warrantcth us
to demand it, and accept of it from him : But it doth
not at all oblige us to Obey him or Confent to bis U-
furpatiod .- Even as we may demand Juftice of a Ge-
neral of Rebels, or a Captain of Thieves ; or of Py-
rates that fliall furprize the Ship that we are in, but we
are not bound to cqnfent to his Governmenc, or for-
mally Obey him ; but on the contrary, to difown his
Villany, and do all that we can againft his Tyranny,
which tendeth not to the Hurt of the Society : So here,
it is our Duty to keep the State of Things as entire as
we can, 'till God be pleas'd to reftore the King, that he
may find it a Whole, and not a ruin'd irreparable
State.

Agreeable hereto was Mr. Baxter's Pradtife, who fea- ^r. Bax-
fonably and moderately, by Preaching and Printing,con- f^^'i Cat-
demn'd the Vfurpation, and the Deceit which was the *'"*s^ 'f"
Means to bring it to pafs. He did in open Conference '^'*'"<^ ^^**^
declare Cromvpel, and his Adherents, to be Guilty of
Treafon and B^bellion, aggravated with Perfidioufnefs
and Hypocrify. But yet he did not think it his Duty to
Rave againft them in the Pulpit, or to make his Inve-
dlives fo unfeafonabiy or imprudently, as might irritate
him to Mifchief. And the rather becaufe as be feem^d
to keep up his Approbation of a Godly Life in the Ge-
neral, and of all that was Good, except that which the
Intereft of his Sinful Caufe engag'd him to be againft 5
fo he perceiv'd it was his Defign to do good m the
main, and to promote the Gofpel, and the Intereft of
Godlinefs, more than any had done before him, except
in thofe Particulars which his own Intereft was againft.
And it was the Principal Means that after he was once
got into the Saddle hd trufted to for his Eftablifnment,
even by doing Good : That the People might love him,
or at leaft be willing to have his Government for that
Good, who were againft it as it was an Ufurpation.

He once Preach'd before Cromml, after he was Pro- ^is Trea-
tedor, by Means of my Lord Broghill, and the Earl o^ chin^bcfc
I4'armcl{, when he was in Town,, upon the Occafion hirt, and
which we ftiallhear of in the next Chapter. He knew not ConjercMce
which Way to provoke him better to his Duty, than by Taith him.
Preaching on i Cor; i. lo. againft the DivUions and
Diftradions of the Church ; ftiewing how Mifchievous
a Thing it was for Politicians to maintain fuch Divifions
~ " for

on

no The LIFE of Chap. Vi.

for their own Ends, that they might fifti in Troubled
Waters, and keep the Church by its Divilions in a State
of Weaknefs, leaft it (hould be able to oflfend them. A
while after, Ctomwel fenr to fpcak with him ; and when
he came, he had only three ot his chief Men with him.
He begun a Jong and tedious Speech to him, of God's
Providence in the Change of the Government, and
how God had own'd ir, and what great Things had been
done at Home and Abroad, in the Peace with Spitin and
flolland^8cc. When he had continu'd fpeaking thus about
an Hour, tAv. Baxter toid him, It ivai too great Condefecri'
tion to acquaint him fo fully tvith all theft Matters which
were nbove him : But that the Honefi People ef the Lsnd
tool^thcir Antient Monarchy to he a Blejfing^ and not an E"
vil, and humbly cravdhis Patience that he might ai\hitn^
How they had forfeited that Bleffinv^ and unto whom the
Forfeiture xvaj made ? Upon that Queftion he was awa-
kened into feme Paffion, and told him, There v9as no For-
feiture, but God had changdit^ as pleased him: And then
he Jet fly at the Parliament which thwarted him, and
efpecialiy by Name at four or five Members which were
Mr. -B-*A:/fr*s Chief Acquaintance, whom he prefum'd to
defend againft the Proteaor's PaHion. And thus were
four or five Hours fpent, iho' to little Purpofe.

A few Days after, he fent for him again, to hear his
Judgment about Liberty ofCo7)feience, which he pretend-
ed to be jnoft Zealous for; and almofl all the Privy-
Council were prefenr. After he had made another flow
and tedious Speech, be told him a little of his Judgment :
And when two that were prefent had fpun out a great
deal more Time in Speeching it, fo that four or five
Hours were fpenr, he told him. That if he would be at the
labour to read it^ he could tell Bim more of bis Mind in
PVriting in two Sheet s^ tbati in that way of Speakjng in ma^
ny Days ; arid that he had d Faptr on that Subyefi by him,
vpritten for a Friend ^ which if he would perufe^ and allew
for the Change of the Perfon^ he would fully kyiow his Senfel
He afterwards fent him the Paper, but qucftiOn'd whe-
ther he ever read it. For this was manifeft to fuch a*
had any Converfation with him, that what he learn'd
muft be from himfelf ; he being more difpos'dto Speak
many Hours than to Hear one ; and little heeding whae
another faid, !^li^be hinafelf had once fpoken»

G H A P.

Chap. VIl. Mr. Richard Baxter. 1 1 1

CHAP. VII.

Hk General Vfefuhefj in the whole County ^
while he remain d in WorceOer-lhire :
His Puhlkk. Service by his Pacificatory En^
deavoHrs^ and other ways,

IN the time of the Civil War, and afterwards, the
Controverfies about Church- Government were in
moft Mens mouths, and maSe a great Noife ; being
hotly agitated by Statefmen and Divines, by Word and
Writings;, which made Mr. Baxter think it necefiary to
fet himfelf to the raoft ferious Study of thofe Points j
the refult of which was his Settlement in this Judg-
ment: That of the four Contending Parties, the £r4-
ftian, Epifcopal, Presbyterian, and Independent, each had
fome peculiar Truths which the other overlook'd, or
took little notice of, and each their proper Miftakes,
;^hich gave Advantage to their Adverfaries; tho' all
of them had fo much Truth in common among them,
as would have made thefe Kingdoms happy, had it been
unanlmoufly and foberly reduc'd to Pradice, by prudent
and charitable Men.

The Er avians he tho*t alTerted more fully than others
the Magiftrates Power in Matters of Religion 5 that all
Coercive Power is only in their hands ; and that no
fuch Power belongetb to the Paftors or People of the
Church. He could not but approve their Holding the
Paftoral Power to be only Perfwafive, tho* Authorita-
tive and by Divine Appointment : And that Paftors
were Officers of God*s Inftitution, who were not only
to perfwade by Sermons or General Speeches, but by
Particular Overfight of their particular Flocks; and
could as the Ground of their Perfwafions PJp^uce God $
Commiflion or Command for what they laid and did;
But that as Paftors they had no fecular or forcmg 1 ow-
ct; And that ualefs the Magiftrate authonzd themas
his Officers, they could not touch Mens Bodies orb:
Aates, but bad to do with the Conftience only.

7h«

,12 The LIFE of Chap. VI I.

The Epifcopnl Parcy feem'd to him thus far to have
Reafon on their fide, that there was a Superiority in the
Primitive Church over fix'd Bilhops or Paftors, main-
tained by the Apoftles and Evangelilts, and other general
undx'd Chnrch Officers: Tho' he tho*t it a Queftion,
Pf^jether they were proper GovernourSy or only over^ruC d them
hy the Eminence of their Gifts, and Priviledge of Infnttibi^
iity } And as to fixed BiHiops of particular Churches,
Superiour in Degree to Preshyters, tho' there is nothing
favouring them in Scripture, yet the Reception of them
in all the Churches was fo early and io general, that he
was free to admit them, and refolv'd never to oppofe.

As for the Presbyterians, he could not but approve of
their main Principle : For he found that the Office of
Preaching Presbyters was allow'd by all : And that this
Office did fubferviently to Chrift participate of the Pro-
phetical, the Prieftiy, and the Governing Power, he
tho't Self-evident. It appeared to him, both from Scrip-
ture, Antiquity, and the Perfwafive Nature of Church-
Government, that all Presbyters were Church -Gov ernours
as well as Church Teachers ', and that the Alfociation of
Paftors and Churches for Agreement, and their Synods
in Cafes of Neceility are a plain Duty ; and ordinary
ftated Synods very Convenient. And he found that
they who were of this Denomination in the Land were
Men of eminent Learning, Sobriety and Piety ; and the
Minifters among them contributed much to the keeping
up R^ll'rion in the Land.

As for the Independents, he found moft of them ^^ea-
/out, and many or them /^4r«f^, difcreet, ^nd pious; ca-
pable of being very Serviceable in the Church. Search-
ing Scripture and Antiquity, he found that in the begin-
ning a Govern d Church, and a Stated Worlhipping
Church, were all one : That Churches were at firft no
bigger than our Parifhcs now ; That they were Societies
of Chriftians united for Perfonal Communion, and not
only for Communion by Meetings of Officers and De-
legates in Synods, as many Churches in Allbciation be.
Alfo he faw a Commendable Care of ferious Holinefs
and Difcipline in moft of the Independent Churches.
And found that fomc Epifcopal Men (Bp. ZJ/hcr for one,
as he had it from himfelfj held. That every Bi(hop vpoi
Independent m to Synods, and Synods notfo much for Govern^
mem m for Concord,

Other

Chap. VII. Mr. Richard Baxter. 112

Other Controverfies alfo in B^eligion were very hotly
Agitaced, and in all he was willing to keep himfelf
and others fronn Extreams. As for the Anahapti^s,
(tho' he had written much againft them) he found many
of them fober, godly People, not differing but in the
Voinioi Infant- Bnptifm* And as to that, confulting
Antiquity, he obferv'd, That the' Infant-Baptifm was
held Lawful by the Church, yet fome, with HertuHjcfjy
jaiid N4:{ian:{ef2, tho^t it moft convenient to make no
■ haft; and the reft left the time of Baptifm 'to every
'•one's Liberty, and forc'd none to be Baptiz d. So that
not only Conftantine^ Theodofim, and fuch as were Con-
verted at Years of Difcretion, but Augufline alfo, and
many Children of Chriftian Parents hid their Baptifm
long deferr d. Nothing more free than fiaptifm in the
Primitive Times?. T6 fome 'twas Adiriamitred in Infan-
cy, to fome at ripe Age,' and' to fome d Jictle before
their Death. All the Penalty of a Dela.y^ was the be-
ing ftill numbred with Catechumens jor ExfeBams,

In the Dirferences between the Armenians and Ayiti-
Armininns, he foon perceiv'd it hard to fipd a Man that
difcern'd the true State of the feveral Controverfies:
And that when unreveal'd Points are laid aiide, and
the Controverfies about Words juftly feparated from
thofe about Things ; the Differences about Things which
renaain'd, were fewer and fmaller than moft of the Con-
tenders would believe. Nay, he found the Dodrinal
Differences with the Papifts very much darkned, and
feldom well ftated. In the Points of Merit ^ Jufiifica"
tion^ Ajfureince of Salvation , Perfeverance, Grace, Free^
Will^ 8cc. Mifunderftanding was common, and juft
Diftindtion and Explication very rare. Upon the whole,
he fix'd in this Conclufion : That he that would procure
the Welfare of rhe Church, muft do his beft to pro-
mote all the Truth and Good which was held by every
Party, and to leave out all their Errors and their Evili
and not take up all that any Party bad efpous'd as
their own. And indeed there was not a Party in which
there was not fomething he diflik'd as Erroneous and

Bvil. . ^^ .

Three Things he diOikM in the Era!liavs. Their
Making too light of the Power cf the Mimilry and
Church, and of Excommunication : Their Making the
Articla of the Holy C^hQlick, Church, and the Com?numan

114 T^f^^ LIFE of Chap. Vir.

{of Saints^ tco ittfignificant^ by making Church Communion
"i 'wore common to the Impenitent than Christ would have it :
t^And their Injuring their Brethren in charging them vpith
claiming^ as from God, a Coercive Power over Mens Bodies
or Pur/es, which ts what n di/claim'd by all Temperate
ChriHians, who pretend not to any Power of Force, but only
■ to apply GocCs fVord unfo Mens Cot/fciences» There were
many Things which he utterly diflik'd in the Diocefan
Party, Their extirpating the true Dilcipline of Cbrift,
Tvhich iheir Principle's and Church State fecm to make
unpradticable and impolTible; while one Bifhop, with
his Contiftory, had the fole Government of a Thoufand
or many Hundred Churches, even over many Thoa-
fands whofe Faces they were never like to iec ; with-
out fetting up any Parochial Government under them :
Their turning Parochial Churches into Chriftian Ora-
tories and Schools, while Paftors have only a Power of
Teaching and Worlhipping, and not of Governing :
Their Altering the Ancient Species of Presbyters and
Bilhops : Their Exercife of Church Government in a
" Secular way ; and their vexing honeft Chriftians, who
efteem'd their Ceremonies unlawful, and filencing able
godly Preachers, that durft not Subjcribe and Swear Obe-
dience to them, &c. In the Presbyterian way, he diflik'd
the Order of Lay-Elders, who had no Ordination, nor

• Power to Preach, nor to Adminiflcr Sacraments.
Some of them were for binding the Magiftrate to Con-

• fifcate or Imprifon Men, meerly becaufe they were
Excommunicate : and fo forcing People to keep in the
Church againft their Wills, for fear of being undone
in the World : Whereas he was fully fatisfy'd, That a
Ji4a?t whoje Confcience cannot feel a juft Excommunication^
unlefs it be bacl(d with Confifcation and bnprifonment^ is no
fitter to be a Member of a Chriftian Church in the Commu-
nion of Saints y than a Corps is to be a Member of a Cor'-
for at ion.

Some of them he found as much too much againft
Liberty as others were too much for it, and that they
feem'd to think by Votes and Number to do that
which Love and Realon (hould have done. And .
when the Independents faid, /I l^h/hippi'^g Churchy and
A Govern d Church, is and mult be all one, and the Prr/-
bytcrians faid. They may be all one^ tho it be not ncceffary ;
yet in their Pradifc they would have fo fettled it, that

they

Chap. VII. Mr. Richard Baxter. 115

'they fhould no where be all one, but i o or r 2 Worfhip-
ping Churches fhould have made one Govern'd Church.
Now tho' I o or 1 2 Churches may be better managed than
a Thoufand or many Hundred ; and tho' it were better
for thePaftor of each Church to have the Government
of his own FJock, in Conjundion with the Presbytery
or Synod, than not at all, and fo this were vaftly pre-
ferable to the Diocefan Frame ; yet it feem'd to prepare
the way for it. In the way of the Independents, he dif-
lik'd their making too light of Ordination; their having
alfo among them the Office of Lay-Elderlhip ; and
their being ftrider about the Qualifications of Church
Members, than Scripture, Reafon, or the Praftice of
the Univerfal Church would allow. For if once you
go beyond the Evidence of a feriom fober Profefjion^ as
a credible and fufficient Sign of a Title, you will never
know where to reft; but the Churches Opinion will
be both Rule and Judge, and Men will be let in or
kept out, according to the various Latitude of Opini-
ons or Charity, in the feveral Ofikers or Members of
Churches. He difcern'd a great Tendency in this way
of theirs, to Divifions and Subdivilions, and the nou-
rilhing of Herefies and Sedks: And could not at all ap-
prove of their making the People, by majority of Votes,
to be Church-Governours in Excommunicntions, Abfolw
tions, 8cc. which Chrift hath made Ads of Office; and
Jetting them govern their Governours, and themfelves.
He alfo dillik'd their too much exploding Synods, their
over-rigidnefs againft the Admiflion of Chriftians of
other Churches, and their making a Minifter to be as
no Minifter to any but his own Flock. In many of
which Things, the Moderation of a Synod of Nevp-
England found out a much better Temper than their
Brethren here could light upon. And as for the Ann-
bnftijisy he knew that they injurioufly excluded the
Infants of the Faithful from folemn Entrance into the
Covenant and Church of God ; and as finfully made
their Opinion a Ground of their SeftirAtion from the
Churches and Communion of their Brethren ; and that a-
mong them grew up the Weeds of many Errours ;
and that Divifions, Subdivifions, Reproach of Mini-
fters Fadion, Pride, and Scandalous Pradifes were
fomented in their way.

I z Having

11 6 The LIFE of Chap. VII.

Having made thefc Remarks, he for fome Years
flood ftill as a Looker-on, and contented himfelf to
wifh and pray for Peace, dropping only now and then
a Word towards it in his Pra6tical Writings : But at
length the Senfc of his Duty engagM him to do his ut-
moft, in a way of Endeavour, to bring all thefe con-
tending Parties to a Concordant PracStice of fo much
as they were all agreed in; ro fee all that together
which was True and Good amongft thenn all, and to
promote that as far as he was able, rejedting the reft;
and to further the reviving Chriftian Charity, which Fa-
ction and Difputes had lamentably cxtinguifhM. And
tho' he had no Profpedt herein of any great Succefs, he
yetref^lv'd to do hisbeft, and leave the Succefs to God.
He wrote feveral Letters about thefe matters to Mr. //«-
tbony BiirgeJSf Mr. B^chard Vines, and Mi. G^tal^er^ and
motion'd the fetting up fome Regular Difcipline by A-
greement among the London Minifters, which would
make it more generally taking than coming from a pri-
vate Corner, but was put off with various Excufes.
But his own Circumftances forcM him to feek for fome
certain Regular Method of Difcipline, (^c. among bis
own People; and he withal apprehended, that if feve-
ral Minifters could accord together in one way, the
People would much more eafily fubmit, than to the way
• of any Minifter that was Singular. As for his own Peo-
ple, they were honeft, humble and traceable, engag'd
in no Party, and haters of Schifm, which they per-
ceived tended to the ruin of Religion. The Minifters
in the Country round him were Pious, Serious, Hum-
ble Men, that were alfo difengag'd ; which was a great
Advantage in his Defign. He open'd his Mmd to them
in a Meeting which he procured, after a Leciiure at fVor^
cefter. They all approv'd of his Motion, and it was
their common de(irc, that he would draw up the Form
of an Agreement, that fliould contain only So much
Church Order and Dijcipline^ di the Epifcopal Presbyterian
and Independant are agreed in^ as belon^iny^ to the Payors
of each Particular Chwch. For it was intended thai no-
Tl)e VV'or-^^^"P fhould be inferted that any one fhould need dif-.
cefteifhire ^^^" • ^^ ^^^ being the aim to difputc each other into
Agreement a nearer Agreement in Opinions, but lirtt to agree in
for Church ^hc Pracfl'.cc of what was own'd by all. Accordingly he
Order and drew up fome Articles for common Conftnt, in order

CoMord. to

Chap. VII. Mr. Richard Baxter. 117

to the reduciug the Churches to fotne Order, the fa-
tisfying Minifters in Adminiftring the Sacraments, and
ftopping the more Religious from Separation, and that
without contradicting the Judgment of either of the
3 Parties mention d. After feveral Meetings to conli-
der and examine them, and the altering fome particu-
lar PaflTages, they were unanimoufly agreed to, by the
Minifters of Worceflerpoifey and feveral in the Neigh-
bourhood ; who aflbciated for mutual Help and Con-
cord in their Work: Their Names were as follows.
"Mr, Andrew Trifiram, Mini&iGT oi Bridgnorth, Mr.Tho,
Baldwin of Chad/ley. Mr. Tho, Baldwin of Clenf, Mr.
Jofeph Baker of J4^orcefier, Mr, Henry Oajlmid of Bswd'
ley, Mr. VViliiam Spicer of Stone, Mr. J^ichard Sergeant,
laft Miniftcr of Stone, Mr. PVilshy of PVomhorne,
Mr. John ^eignolds oi iVolverhfimfton, Mr. Jofeph ^cel^e
of I{pwley. Mr. Bjchard H'ollcy of Snilwarp, Mr. Gila
WoUey. Mr. Humphrey Wnldern of Broome, Mr.Bd-
xvtird Bowchier of Church-hill, Mr. Ambrofe Sparry of
Martley, Mr. fVilliam I^mberley of I{jdmarhy, Mr.
Benjamin Baxter of ZJpton upon Severn. Mr. Dowley of
Stoy. Mr. Stephen Baxter, Mr. Thomas Bromwic^. of
Kjnfey. Mr. J, Nott of Sherijf hales, Mr. George Hop-
kins of Eve/ham, Mr. John Spilsbury of Brotnfgrove^
And Mr. Juice of PVorceJier. All of them Worthy Men,
Eminent for Piety, and Moderation, and Minifterial
Abilities. Having all agreed in this Aflbciation, they
propos*d publickly to tbeir People fo much as requii'd
their Confent and Pradice, and gave every Family a
Copy in Print, and a fufficient time to confider and un-
derftand it, and then put it in Execution. Mr. Baxter
publilh'd the whole, with the Reafons and Explica-
tion of the feveral Particulars, in a Book calKd C/jr/-
ftian Concord.'-— 'In their Aflbciation they agreed upon
a Monthly Meeting at certain Market-Towns, for
Conference about fuch Cafes of Difcipline as rcquir'd
Confultation and Confent : And they were conftant-
ly kept up at Evefloam and Kjderminfter. At Ksder-
minfter there was once a Month a Meeting of ^ Jufti-
ces of the Peace, who livM with them, and 3 or 4
Minifters, {for fo many they had in the Parifti)^ and
3 or 4 Deacons, and 20 of the Antienc and Godly
Men of the Congregation, who pretended to no Office
as Lay-Elders, but only met as Trufteea of the whole

i 3 Church,

ii8 The LIFE of Chap.Vll.

Church, and were chofen Annually for that Purpofe.
At this Meeting they admoniili'd thofe who remain'd
Impenitent in any Scandalous Sin, after more Private
Admonition before two or three ; they with all poflible
Tcnderncfs perfwaded them to repent, and labour d
to convince them of iheir Sin and Danger ; and prayed
with them if they confented. If they could not be
be prevail'd with to repent, they requir'd them to meet
before all the Minifters at the other Monthly Meeting,
which was always the next Day after this Parochial
Meeting. There the Admonitions and Exhortations
were renew'd, and fome Minifters of other Parilhes la-
boured to fet it Home, that the Offender might not
think it was only the Opinion of the Minifter of the
Place, and that he did it out of Ill-Will or Partiality.
If the Offender yielded penitently to confefs his Sin,
and promife Amendment, (more or lefs publickly ac-
cording to the Nature of the Scandal ) they then joyn'd
in Prayer for his true Repentance and Forgivenefs, and
exhorted him farther to his Duty for the Future. But
if he ihJl contiiiu'd obftinately Impenitent, by the Con-
icnt of alJ, he was by the Paftor of the Place to be
pubJickJy admonifh'd, and pray'd for by that Church,
ufually three feveraJly Days together : And if flill he re-
mained Impenitent, the Church was requir'd to avoid
him, as a Perfon untit for their Commuiuon. And
the like Method was follow'd by all the Aflbciated
Minifters and Churches At the fame Time the Mi-
nifters of Cumberland and li^ejimorland fell alfo upon
I he fame Courfe, and took much the fame Method for
the Exercife of Church Difcipline ; and correfponded
with the Minifters of IVorcefierpoire about it : And fo
alio did fome other Counties.
The lonii- Jn thefe Meetings of the H^orcefierfhire Minifters,
"Daj Le- they itudied how to have the Lcdbures they fet up a-
Oure mthc mojig them extend to every Place in the County ihat
County. }^aj need. For when the Parliament purg d the Mini-
ftry, they caft out thole v/ho were moft Infafficicnt and
Scandalous, as grofs Drunkards, andfuch like ; and alfo
fome few Civil Men that had been againft them in the
War, or fet up Bovfin^ to Altnrsj with clie like Innova-
tions : But they had left in, near half the MJiufters
that were not good cno* to do much Service, nor bad
^no to be caft jDUt as mtcrly intoleiabk. There ^«-

Chap. VIL Mr. Richard Baxter. 119

main d a Company of weak Preachers, that had no
great Skill in Divinity, nor Zeal for GodJinefs ; but
preach'd weakly 'that which was true, and liv'd in no
grofs notorious Sin. Thefe Men not being caft out, their
People greatly needed Help ; for their dark fleepy
Preaching did but little good. *Twas therefore refolv'd.
That fame of the filler Mlnifters fhould often voluntarily
help them. Mr. Baxter procur'd the 30 /. that was col-
Jedted at the Yearly Feaft of the Londoners of that Coun-
ty, for the Support of fuch a Ledure for one Year, and
fo the Defign was covered under the Name of The Lon^
doners Lecture ; which took off" the Offence. They chofe
four worthy Men, Mr. Andrew Triifram, Mr. Henry
Oajland, Mr. Thomas Baldwin^ and Mr. J of. Treble; who
undercook to go each Man his Day once a Month,
which was every Lord's Day between the four, and to
preach at thofe Places whjich had moft need, twice on
the Lord's-Day ; but to avoid all IllConfequences and O/-
fence^ they were fometimes to go to abler Men's Con-
gregations, and where ever they came to fay fomevvhat
to draw the People, to the Honour and fpecial Regard
of their own Payors ; that how weak foever they were,
they might fee the Defign was not to draw away the
Hearts of the People from them, but to ftrengthen their
Hands, and help them in their Work. This Lecture
did a great deal of Good ; and tho' the Londoners gave
their Afliflance but one Year, yet having once fet it on
Foot, they continu'd it voluntarily, Mr. Baxter being
as forward as any ; and they held on 'till they were fi-
lencM, and had the Church Doors fhut upon thcra.

But it was not eno' to fuch a Man as Mr. Baxter to The \Vor-
be ufeful in the Particular County he liv d in ; he was ceiicrfhire
earneft in feeking, and careful in improving, all 0;>- ■^"♦^'*"''
fortunities of General Service. In the Time of the
B^mp .or Common-wealth, the Anahaptifts, Seekers^ &c.
flew fo high againft Tithes and the Miniftry, that it
was much fear'd they would have prevail'd at laft. Here-
upon ;he drew up a Petition for the Miniftry, and got
many Thoufand Hands to it in PVorcefier/hire., on which
Account it was printed with the Title of that County's
Petition, it was-prefented by Mr. Thomas Foley, and
Col. John Bridges, and a kind promi^ng Anfwer was
given to it, which feem'd to lead to foajc good Refo-
iutions. The Seftaries greatly rag'd againft the Petition,

I 4 ^ad

MM«>«*^i.fc«^lfa*iai%#i

1 20 The LIFE of Chap. VII.

and one wrote a vehement Invedlive againft it, which
Mr. Baxter anfwer^d in a Paper call'd, The De-
fence of the Worcefterfhirc Petiticr?^ a Copy of which he
gave to each Parliament Man at the Door : But within
a Day or two after they were dilTolv'd.
The Debate I" the Injlruifient whereby Oliver wa$ made Protcftor,
tibout Tun- it was declared. That ail Jhould have Liberty for the free
d^mintals. E^rcife cf their B^Ugion^ who profe/s'd Faith in God by
Jejus Chrifl. This Inftrument being examined in Parlia-
ment, when they came to thofe Words, fome honeft
Members afiirm'd,. That if they f pake 6e. it, and not de no-
mine,F'J'V^ in God by Jefus CfjrifiyCould contain no le/j than
the Fundamentals of ^ligion. So that it was purpofed.
That all (hould have a due Meafure of Liberty, who
profefs'd the Fundamentals. Hereupon the Committee
appointed to that Bufinefs, were requir'd to nominate
certain Divines, to draw up in terminis the Fundamen-
tals cf {{eligion^ to be as a Teft in this Toleration. The
Ccmmitee being about fourteen, nam'd every one his Man.
The Lord Broghill ( afterwards Earl of Orrery, and
Lord-Prelident of Munfter, ) nam'd Arcb-Bifhop ZJfh-
«r; who rerufing the Service, he nominated Mr. Bax^
ter in his Stead ; upon which, he was fent for up to
London^ and drawn into a difficult Piece of Service, in
which tho' he could eafily forefee he fhould be hampered
by the Karrownefs of fome, and the Shynefs of others, he
yet freely engag'd. The other Perions employed, were
Mr. Mar/ha/^ Mr. B^yner, Dr. Cheynely Dr. Goodvoin^
Dr. Owfw, Mr. Nye, Mr. Sydrach Sympfon, Mr. Vims,
Mr. Mtntcn^ and Mr. Jacomb, And he found they had
begun, and drawn up fome few of the Propolitions,
which they call'd Fand.^mmtf.UhQ^ort, hisArrivaJ. For
his own Part, he apprehended, that in bating fo Nice
a Que A ion as that, PPhnt are your Fundament/: Is ? Great
Care ought to be taken to diftinguifh between the
Scnfe or Matter, and the Words : That the Senfe
only is primarily and properly Fundamental, and the
Words no farther than as they are needful to cxprefs
that Senfc. In Reality therefore he took no more to
be Eflential or Fundamental in Religion, but what
it contain'd in our Baptifmal Covenant, I believe in
God the Father, Son, and Holy Cshoj}, and pive up my felf
in Civenant to him, renouncing the Flejh, the l^orld, and
cJrv'DiviL And as .to Words, he took no particular
tr.:. Word$

Chap. VII. Mr. Richard Baxter.

121

Words in the World to be ElTentials of our Religion •
otherwife, no Man could be fav'd without the Lan-
guage which thofe Words belong to. And as to Pub-
lick Profefiions upon Admittance to Communion, he
tho't thus much might very well fuffice: In general, I do
believe all that is contain d in the Sacred Cammcal Scrip-
tures, and particularly I believe all explicit/)/ contairid in
the Antient Creeds, and I defire all that is contain d in the
hordes Prayer, and I refolve upon Obedience to the Ten Com-
mandments, and what ever elfe I can learn of the PVill of
God, And for all other Points, he judg'd it eno' to
preferve both Truth and Peace, that Men promife not
to preach againft them, or contradict them, tho' they
do not fubfcribe them. And therefore he propos'd the
Offering to the Parliament, the Creed, Lord's Prayer^
and Ten Commandments, as the Eflcntials or the Fun-
damentals of Chriftianity, containing all that is ne-
cefTary to Salvation. When they objedted, That this
might be fubfcrib'd by a Papifl or Socinian ; his Anfwer
was, That it was fo much the better, and the fitter to be
the Matter of Concord : But that if they were afraid of
Communion with Papifts and Socinians, it fhould not be
avoided by making a New B^le or Teji of Faith which they
will not fubfcribe tOy or by forcing others to fubfcribe to more
than they can do^ but by calling them to Account, when ever
in Preaching or fi'^riting^ they contradiB or abvfe the Truth
to which they have fubjcrib''d. They refolv'd however to
hold on in the Way they had begun, and fo all that he
had left to do, was to ufe his Endeavours to prevent
their multiplying Fundamentals needlefly. At length
this Propofition was bro't in among others under the
Head of the Scriptures, That no Man could know God to
Salvation by any other Means. This he aflerted was nei-
ther Fundamental nor Truth, for that Faith may be
wrought by the Teaching of another,without ever know-
ing that there is a Scripture. He argu'd the Point, and
afterwards gave them his Reafons in Writing : And if
•he did no other Service among them, at leaft prevented
the running many Things fo high as might otherwife
have been expeded. When after many long Debates,
they had printed Twenty of their Propofitions for the
Parliament, ihax was diffolY'd^ and fo all came to
jSipthjing.

Truth

I2X The LIFE of Chap. VII.

Truth and Peace were the Matter of this Good
Mans Purfuit all his Days. He ftu^-k at no Pains that
might concnbute to either. He refolv'd to take fitting
Opportunities of dealing with all the fevcral Parties in-
to which the Nation was unhappily divided, hoping
that at leaft he might help to pave the Way for the
Succefs of others, when the happy Jundlure fhould
arrive, tho' his iindeavours (hould prove fruitlefs and
abortive. Mr. Vines extolling the Judgment and Learn-
ing of Dr. B^alph Brovonriyg^ Bilhop of Excetcr, and ad-
viftng him to choofc him as the fitteft Man to treat with
for Concord with the Diccefnn Party, he wrote to him,
and Tent hina fome Terms of Concord. He return'd
him a very kind Letter, profefiing his WiUingnefs to
profecute that Work, and fending a particular Anfwer
to his Propofals, granted the main Matters which he de-
Cred, and which would have united all Parties, if yield-
ed to when the King came in. For he granted, with
Bifhop Vjher^ that every Presbyter is and muft be a Go-
vernour, as well as a Teacher of his own Flock ; and
that fubordinare AfTemblies, like Rural Deanrics, might
be fet up in every Market Town, or in certain limited
Divisions. And fome good A^greement with theEpifcopal
Party, might have been even then hop'd for, had not
Olive) y when he had the Government in his Hands, put
in among the Scandalous Minifters, who were there-
upon to be ejected all thro' the Nation, all thofe who
took Part with the King againft the Parliament : With
which they were Co .exafperated, as to lay allde all
Tho'cs of Agreement.
A Vcoate Mr. Martin Johti/o?:, a Neighbouring Minifier at
concernin'r iVoynbornc, (afterwards Minifter of Spalding in Lincoln-
the NeccjJityJhireJ who tho* high in bis Principles, was yet a Lover
of a clear of all honcft pcaceablc Men, and conftantly at the
Succcjjionin Meetings, Ledturcs, and Difputations at KsdcnninftcTy
the Mini' ^rote to Mr. Bnxtcr aboui: the Keccfjhy of Epifcfpal Or-
'^' dinnticn. He in Anfwcr to himmaintain'd, That there

was no abfolute Ncccifity, That a Man might be a
true Miniftcr who was ordain'd by Presbyters ; and
that in Cafes of Necelfity, it was a Duty to take Ordi-
nation from them. This he oppos'd with Mndefty and
J-udg^nent for a Time, 'till at laft being convinc'd, he
yielded the Caufc.

rii

Chap. VII. Mr. Richard Baxter. 123

rU here fubjoyn a fhorc Abftrad of the Arguments
and Replies,

Mr. Johnfon gave Four Reafons why he was for being
earneft in pleading for an Uninterrupted Succeffion in
the Miniftry, v^ich Reafons he urg d as Arguments to
prove it.

I. He urg*d the Serloufnefs of our Divines in their En-
deavours to frovdtf That our Bijhops in the Days of Kjng
Edward VI. and Queen Elizabeth were Ordain d by Bi-
fi>opSy againft the Calumnies 0/ Sanders, Kellifon, Chalm-
ney, and others, who warmly ajferted an Interruption in the
Succeffion, The Pains of our Divines in this Refpedl,
he tho'c might have been fpar'd, if a clear Succeffion be
not needful.—-

Mr. Baxter in Anfwer told him, * That he tho't it
much more fafe, in a Cafe of this Nature, firft to
confider the Fad:, and prove that there hath been
fuch a Succeflion, before the Necefllty of it is afTert-'
ed. However, fince he took the other Way, he
would follow. This Argument, he told him from
the Reformers, when fcann d, would amount to this ;
That what ever they tho'c neceflary to be prov'd a-
gainft the Papifts, was really fo ; But befides that
there is no Confequence in that, where there is an ac-
knowledged Fallibility ; it is withal obfervable, that
the EngUfh Bilhops might have other Ends in endea-
vouring to clear the Succeflion, befides Compliance
with a fuppos'd Neceflity : They might defign the
confuting their Adverfary on his own Grounds ; or
they might aim at ftiewing, that tho' the Neceflity of
a clear Succeffion were granted, yet they need not
grant the Nullity of their Calling. Nay , 'tis evident
in Fad:, that tho' fuch high Men as Mouyitague and
Laud^ did joyn with the Papifts in pleading for the
Neceflity of a diftind Succefllon, yet this was not
the Way of the True Primitive Fathers of the
Church jof England^ who argu'd upon the Succeflion
againft the Papifts only ad Hominem, as we fay, for
their more efledual Convidion : And therefore took
fo jnuch Pains to confute the Fable of the Naggs-
* Head Ordination, that they might prove the Papifts
ij Slanderers, And 'tis obfervable, that fuch high Men

as

124

The LI FE of Chap. VH.

as thole mention'd, were nigh upon the Matter as

zealous againit Queen Eli:{nbeth'*s Epifcopai Proceftanis
as againft the Papifts themfelves.

2. Mr Johnfons Second Argument was to this Purpofe.
Without a clear Succeflion, we that are now Minifters
cannot be faid to have our Authority from Chrift, for
we muft have it from him either medintcly or immedi-
ately. To affert an immediate Derivaiion of Authority
from Chrift, is extravagant. \i yNt\i2.\'t it mediately
from Chrift, we muft have it by the Mediation of fome
Perfon,who at length had it immediately from him.This
cannot be, if the Succeflion be interrupted. If it be faid,
the Authority is convcy'd from Chrift, by the Media-
tion of the written Word, he nnfwers, 'tis no fit Me-
dium for the conveying fuch Authority in our Days :
And that for this Reafon, becaufe it meddles not with
any Particular Perfons of our Times. For the written
Word neither Names any Particular Perfons, nor lays
down any incommunicable Adjundt that might diftin-
guifh them, nor gives" any fuch general Defcription
which may be perfonally and particularly afcrib'd toa-
ny of them. Were there any fuch general Defcription,
that could give Authority, it muft be in Words to this
Purpofe; They th^t nrc thus and thus qualify d, may he
Minijiersofthc Word : Whcrcas the Scripture only fays.
They that Preach the fVjrd fhall he thu t and thus qualify' d ;
but fuppofestbe Perfons fo qualify'd to come by their
Authority fome other Way. For Authority he con-
ceived to be far different, from either Abilities to un-
dergo an Employment, or a willing Mind to undertake
it, orConvenicncy of Habitation for the Difcharge of
it, or the Deiire of any Perfons inviting a Man to it. A
Man may have all thefe, and yet want Authority. Tho'
all thefe fiiould concur in the Cafe of a Gentleman,
yet is he nota Jnftice of Peace, 'till his Name be in the
Commiflion from the Supream Magiftrate, and he
hath taken his Oath as avStipulation to him on hisPart,
for his faithful Dillhargein ic : So neither doth a Man,
by the Concurrence of all thele Circumftances, be-
come an Authoriz'd Minifter, 'till Jefiis Chrift, the Su-
preme Govcrnour of his Church, rtiall by the Bifhops,
as his Deputies, put his Name into the Gommiftion^
and take reciproc;;! Security from him for his faithful
Difcharge of his Duty. T©

Chap. VII. Mr, Richard Baxter. 125

To this Mr. Baxter reply*d, * That a Conftitution
may be from Chrift medintefy, either in refped to a
mediating Perfon, or tO forae mediating Sign only :
And the mediating Perfcn may be either the total fub-
ordinate Caufe, having himfelf receiv'd the Power
from God, and being as from himfelf to convey ic
unto Man ; or be may be but the Accidental Caufc ;
or his Adion may be only conditionally requifite. J«i?-
mediateiy^ in the ablolute Senfe, with the Exclufion
of all Mediating Perfons and Signs, no Man ever
had any Right communicated, or Duty impos'd by
God, unlefs perhaps the immediate Imprefs, or fu-
pernatural Revelation of the Holy Ghoft to fome
Prophet or Apoftle, might be faid to do it, God is
fo abfolutely the Fountain of all Power, that no
Man can either have or give any Power but deriva-
tively from him, and by his Commiffion ; and the
general Way of Man s giving it, muft be by the (ig-
nification of God's Will ; and fo far as that can be
fufiiciently difcover'd, there needs no more to the Con-
.yeyance of Power. Men mediate three Ways in the
Nomination of the Perfon. When they have a Go-
verning Authority over others, they convey efficient-
ly to inferior Officers the Power that belongs to their
Places. This Way of mediating is not always, if at
all, neceffary or poffible in the Church. The Papiffs
own their Pope is authorized, without this Way of
Efficiency ; for none have a Papal Power to convey
to him. And it was the old Doc5lrine of the Church,
(in St. Cyprian s Time) That all Biihops were equal,
and had no Power one over another, but all had
their Power dire(5tly from Chrift. A Second Way is,
when Men that are of equal Authority have the No-
mination of the Perfon. In fuch a Cafe there can be
no proper Efficiency ; for they who are the Ordainers,
have no particular Government over ihofe whom they
ordain, or the Churches to whom they ordain them.
Their Aciion is only a necelTary Pieiequifire. The
Third Way of Mediating is by the meer Ele^iion of
Infenours. As to the written Word, that, in Cafe of
a failing of Ordairers is a fnfficient Mediate I/iJiru-
meijt ; Abilities, Willingnefs , and Opportunity
(which are necelfary to qualify ) concurring. The

Coniti-

126 The LI FE of Chap. Vlf.

Confticution of Magiftrarcs, in Cafe of a failure of
Minif^ers, is a farther Medium, diftirid frofti Scrip-
ture. When Miniftersfail, Magiftrates are the Judges ;
if both fail, the People have the Judgment of Difcre-
tion without any Governing Power : Their Judgment
of Difcretion hath a fnfficient Difcovery of God's Ef-
ficient Conftitution, in the Law of God, in the Per-
fonsAbiJities, Willingnefs, and Opportunity, and the
Willingnefs of the People.

The Word of God hath not left us at fuch un-
certainty in the Point, as this Sort of Arguing would
feem to intimate. For we find God hath there de-
termin'd that there fhall be Minifters : He hath alfo
detcrmin'd the Nature of their Work and Power,
the Obje<5k about which, and the End to which, it is
to be eroploy'd. The Perfons are defcrib'd from their
neceflary Qualifications, in the Books of Timothy and
Titus. And all that is now left to be done, is but to
judge and determine of the particular Perfon who
is moft capable ,• and fo far to be the Medium of his
receiving the Power. This Judging and Determina-
tion muft be by Signs, from the Perfons Qualificatibns
agreeing to the Rule. And God hath made Ecclefia-
ftical Officers the Ordinary Author it ative Judges of this
Queftion, ^jo is the Qunlifyd Perfon ^ So that 'tis
not only the Scnfe of the Word of God in the Matter,
That they thnt Prer.ch /hall he thus and thus qualify*d,
but Men thus and thus {]ualifyd^ Ihall he appointed to
Preach the Wcrd. And the Obligation in this Refpe£l
remains in Force, tho' the Way of their Ordination
may ccafe: And m fuch a Cafe the Magiftrate's Defjg-
nation^ or People's llleclion, upon the difcerning the
Qualifications, is a fufficient Nomination of the Per-
fon ; upon which Nomination the Word of God con-
veys the Power to him.

' God hath no where oblig'd himfelf in Scripture to
give all Churches the Opportunity of li^-gular Mi-
nijferial Ordination : Nay in FaCt, in many Places
there hath been a Moral or Natural Impoifibility
of it; as in the f{om'/Jo Church, where there's no
Ordination to be had, but upon finful Terms, by
wicked Oaths or Profelllons r Or in fome remote
Parrs of the World, where there arc no Minilters.
But ruppofc fuch a Cafe had never been, 'tis ycc pof-

iible

Chap. VII. Mr. Richard Baxter. 127

fible for there to be fuch a Cafe, where a Regular
Ordination Ihould be impracticable; and therefore
it cannot be an indifpenfible Duty. Again, the End
why I am oblig'd to feek Ordination rather from an
Ecclefiaftical Officer than from a Magittrate, (^c, is
becaufe God hath appointed him for Order fake, as
one that ought to be the fitteft to do it, and prevent
Intrufions and Abufes. Now where the Regular Or-
dainers prove infufficient or wicked ; this End fails.
Thus it was in. the Time of the Arrian Defe(ftion ;
and thus, 'tis ac this Day in the Church of B^me. God
gives no Men Power to deftroy the Church, but to
preferve and propagate it. And therefore when Men
will not ordain to the Prefervation, but to the appa-
rent Deftrudkion of the Church, we are not oblig'd
to receive their Ordination.

' That it was never the Will of God that there
ftiould be no Miniftry at all, longer than Men
might be regularly ordain'd, he prov'd by feveral
Reafons. Becaufe the Office of the Miniftry is of
ftanding Neceflicy to the very Being of a PoHtical
Church, whereas Ecclefiaftical Authoritative Ordi-
nation is but neceffary to the Well-being of it. And
therefote the failing of the Latter, caufeth not a
failing of the Former. God hath oft faffer'd his
Church to fall into Diforders and Diftempers^ when
yet he hath preferv'd its Being. Withal, God hath
not infeparably ty'd a neceffary certain End, to one
only mutable uncertain Mean. The Office of the
Miniftry, is the necelfary certain End of Regular
Ecclefiaftical Ordinntion 5 and that is a mutable un-
certain Mean. Again, God hath not put ic into the
Power of Biftiops, or other Ordainers, to deftroy
his Church for ever, as they might do, if the Mini-
ftry were infeparably annex'd to their Authoritative
Ordination. Eafily might they do it upon that
Suppofition ; for that it is in the Power of their
Wills, whether they will ordain any other to luc-
ceed them ; and if they (hould not, the SuccefTion
is interrupted, and the Ofiice muft fail. It's vain
to fay. This is not to be fuppos'd, when there is no
Promife or Certainty of the contrary : And when
'tis fo evident that Ordainers may turn Hcretica[,
and refufe to ordain any but what will be io too ;

which

128 The LIFE cf Chap. VII.

* which was the Cafe in the Time of the Arrians, And

* as for thofe few that do not lurn Hereticks, they
' may clog their Ordinations with fuch Impofitions
' and Engagements, as that Perfons fearing God may
' juftly refcife to fubmit to them. They may fo ma-
^ nage Matters, as that the Confcientious muft not be

* ordained by them ; and confeqiiently they have

* Power to deftroy the Church : Which if it were af-

* firm'd but of the Churches in one Nation, is not

* true. Again, God hath made it indifpenfibly ne-

* ceffary to his People to the Worki's End, to af-

* femble in foJemn Congregations for Pubiick Wor-

* (hip : This cannot be without a Miniftry ; and there-
' fore this muft be had, tho Authoritntive Ecclefisflicnl

* Ordination fail. Such a Failure can never abfolve a
' Country or People from God's Pubiick Worlhip ;

* without which Chriftianity would foon dwindle away.

* Again, the Law of Nature, and the exprefs unchan-

* geable Written Word agreeing with it, require Men

* to do the Office of Minifters, who have a Fitnefs for

* it, where there is an undeniable NecelCcy of their

* Help 5 and fuch a fuppos'd Failure can't give a Dif-

* penfation. That there is a Duty in fuch a Cafe of

* Necelllty, even on Perfons unordain d, appears hence,
' in that the Office of the Miniftry comprehends the
' greateft Works of Mercy to Men's Souls, and which

* are moft for the Glory of God, of which when there
' is Ability, Opportunity and Neceliicy, to be fuie

* Obligation cannot be wanting. In a Place that is in-

* f<;dled, where better Help is not at Hand, a Man of

* tolerable Skill is bound to give Advice, tho he be
' not a Phylician. In an unexpedted Aflault of an E-

* nemy in the Camp, if the Commanders are afleep or

* abfent, the moft experienc'd Soldiers may fupply their

* Place : In fuch Cafes, Salus Populi Suprema LeXj the
' Common Safety^ as the highefl Law, univerfally pre-

* vails ; and there is the fame Reafon why Salus Eccle-

* fi-e (hould be Suprema Lex ; why the S/ifct]f of the

* Church lliould be the higheft Law, without fticking ac

* Formalities, when the Ail is at Stake. Our Lord

* hjth raught us, that Ceremonials and mccr Fifjttvesdo

* give Way to Natural Morals and Suhfinntials ; and

* that uhen two Duties come together, and cannot

* boih be perform'd, the Greater muft be chofcn,

Cncum"

Chap. VII. Air. Richard Baxter. 129

Circuyncificn^ that tvas fo {^^(^tly crijoyn'd, was di-
fpens'd with for forty Years logether in the Wild^r-
nefs : How much more under the Gofpel Would God
have Externals and Modals ftdop to the Sublhnce ?
Again, there is a great Parity between Secular and
Ecclefiaftical Power. Jf an Irirerruption of the Succef- ^r^
(ion in the ordinary Conveyance 6^ Civil Power ^ leave
a Nation without any true Power or Authority, then
moft Commoti'Vpe tilths^ this of England in particular^
(where the Line of Succeflion haih been fo oft Inter-
rupted) had been long ago diffolv'd : But this is a
Cohclufion evidently Deftru£live of all Civil Govern-
ment. Now there is not a greater NecefUcy of an un-
interrupted SuccefTion in the Conveyance of Ecclefia-
fiical Power^ than there is as to that which is Secular:
And therefore Mr. Baxter put Mr. John/on Mpoti apply-
ing what he faid of a Minifter's receiving his EccJe-
fiaftical Power mediately or immedldtely ; and if me^
diately^ how by Scripture Mediation, which riieddles
not with particular Perfons ; to King Charles the
Firlt's Receipt of his Civil Power or Authority in
.'this Nation ; wbich he thnnght wciuld help him to
difcover how Uncle Strength there Wis in his Argu-.
ment. Again, want of Authoritarive EcclefiafticaJ
OrdinatioHj in Cafe of Neceffity, will no more null
-the A(5tions of Church Governonrs now, than un-
deniable Ufurpation did null the Miniifetial Adiohs
of the Priefls before Chriit's Death. And if their
Adiions aie not null, their Ordinations are not null.
That the Prief^s in our Saviour's Time came not In
in God's Wayjis well known, and univerfaliy own'd :
And that their Actions were not null, as to others, ap-
pears by Chrifl's teaching Men to fubmic to them.
Now 'tis hard to give a Reafon why there (hould aoc
be as great a Neceflity of an Uninterrupted SuccelHon
then, as now. Nay, the Neceflitylwas then on many
Accounts greater, becaufe the Priefthood was fix'd in
a Family, ^Ci Again, when God tyes his People to
Duty^ he is ready to give them the Bleffing, which is
its Endj if tliey obey. Now God obliges many to
fubmit to the Minifterial Adtions of fome that arc ir-
regularly Ordain'd, nay, even of Ufurpers: And
hath not obliged the People narrowly to pry into a
Miniftera CalJj to whom they belong, as to his juf!

K Ordina-

I50 The LIFE of Ghap. VII.

Ordination, if they ftnJ him fit for, and faithful in,
the Miniftcrial Woik. Nay, the People cannot
know or judge of ihe Matter of a clear Succelfion*
For if they know their Miiiifters wereOrdain'd, how
can they tell how it was as to thofc that ordain'd
them, or as to many other Links of that Chain that
muft at lafl derive their Power from Chrift hinifelf
by Perfona] SucceiTicn. Again, if the Admii]iiftra-
tions even of Ufurpers were null, ( and fo the Ordi-
nation of fuch ) then innocent Perfons and Churches
would fuffer, nay be ruin'd, meerly thro' other Men's
Faults. If the Lord-Uepucy of Ireland^ or the Vice-
Roy of Naples were dead, and one ihould fo counter-
feit the King*s Hand and Seal, as that the Nobles and
People could not difcern it, and Ihould annex this to
a Grant for the Place, and (hew it to the People, and
claim the Power by it ; if this Man continue the
Excrcife of this Power for a Year, before the King
difplace him, or the Deceit be difcover'd, all his
Actions muft be valid as to the Benefit of the Common-
we^iltb^ tho* tht^y are Treafonablc to himfelf : And he
conveys Power from the King to Inferiour Officers,
who yet never receiv'd any himfclf. And fo 'tis in
the Cafe of Minifters. Again the Ordination of the
Magiftrates ferv'd the Turn in Cafe of a Failure in the
Regular Way, before Chrift's Time, and therefore ic
may do fo ftill- Thus Solomon put out Abiathar^ and
put in "^ndok, into the High Priclthood : And the
power of Magiftrares in Church Matters was no Ce-
remony, or Tcmporjry 1 hing. Once more, when
any OfHcrrs of che Temple were dilcovcr'd to have no
jutt Title, and thereupon were put out, yet none of
their Actions, while they were in Place, were cen-
fur'd null. This appears from iJ^wi 2. 6z. \ehem,
7. 64, 65. and 13. 29, 50. and iffo, their Ordina- ^
lion was not null : Nor can it b-, upon a like Sup-
pbfifion, in our Times.

' Further ; The Individual Perfon to be the Subject
of the Miiiijierial Powc/-^ may be detcrminM of or-
dinarily (or fcmctimes at ieaft) by the People's E- i
lecflion, and then be prercnicd to the Minifters for *''
Ordination ; if fo, then may the very fame Perfon,
being detcrniin'd of by the People, be prefented ta
Cod immediatcjy fcr his Ordination, in Cafe thf jc
'" • *bc

Ghap. VII. Mr. Richard Baxter. j2i

be no Ordainers to be had. We fee the People had
a Vote at firft in the Choice of Church Officers, /ids
6. 5. If tliey were to choofe Deacons fo and fo quali-
fy'd, and then prefent them to the ApolUes, then were
they competent Difcerners of the Qualifications.
And iri the Cafe of Minifters, feveral Councils
have decreed Ordinations invalid,without the People's
Elediion; yea, if they were but affrighted, andover-
aw'd, and did noc ac^ freely. The Scripture is fuffi-
cient for the whole of the Affair of feeling Minifters,
except the Nomination of the Individual : Now in
Cafe tliere be no Ordainer, a right qualify 'd Man cho-
fen only by the People, is jultly nominated as the
Individual, and the Word of God gives Authority to
that Individual Perfon, fo nominated or determined
of. For vvhen ever two Parties are made Con-Caufes^
Cas here, Minifters as Ordainers^ and People as Choofers)
or are to concur in Determinations, when one Party
failech, the Power and Duty is folely in the other.
Again, if the Woird lo far defer ibes the Perfons to
receive the Power, as that a Bifhop -^an nominate the
Perfons by the help of that Defcnption, then others
alfo may nominate them by ihe Help cf that Defcrip-
tion. For others may be able to fee what a Bilhop
can fee, and in Cafe of Neceility at leaft may do it.
The Word meddles with none of the Individuals-,
V^hich the BiJtiops decermine of, and yet conveys the
Power when ihe Biihop hath derermin'd of the Per-
fon to receive it. And 'tis the like, when in Cafe of
Necedity the Perfon to receive the Power is another
Way determined of. The Law of God is to be con-
ceived of in this Form: i do Author i:{e the ?erfont
that fhall be jitftly deter mirid of^ r,ccording to thii Dc"
fcription. And becaufe Minifterial Determinations
are the ordinary regular Way with the Peopled Cort-
fenr, it is ^. d. Ordinarily J do /iuthori:{e the Fer/ons^
whom Ecdejwftical Porver fhall determine cf^ according
to this Defer ipt ion. So that it is God, by his Law^
that gives the Power. Again; If the People may^
by their Judgment of Difcretion, difcern whether
a Biihop have ordain'd them one agreeable to rhe
Scripture D'/cripticn, they may alfo difcern whether
a Man be agreeable to it, tho' unordain d. If nor^
then muft they receive an Heretick or Infidel with-

K % 'oof

i-}^ The Lit B of Chap. VII.

outTrya!, if Ordain'd their Bifhop ; which is not

* true, for ihey are bovind to rejedi fuch a one. If they
" are not to Kit with fuch a one, much lefs are they

* to rakehitn for their Minifter or Bilhop. Again; the

* Caf:: may be fo plain who the Perfon is that God
' Wotild hive, as that there may be no room for Contro^

^ ' ' /v .ibjur it. As when a Perfon hath all the vifible

salifications of Abilities, Phty, and a Righteous

''' CorrvcrfAtion ; a PVill to the Work ; Opfortunity for

1', by i ibcrty from Secular Power, and Vacancy

from Other Engagements, ^c. When ihv'j People's

Hearts are mov'd cowards him ; and there isnoCom-

pcriror, or not fo many but allmay be chofen: When

' nil th'^le concur, there is no Controverfy who Ihould

' be the Man. But then where thefe Things do concur,

* Perfons muft feek an orderly Admiflion where it is
' poiFible and not be their own Judges of their Fit-
^ nefs, where there are other Judges of God's Ap-
' poinrmcnr. But if they are wanting, or fo difpos'd
^* as that they'll approve of none, but upon Terms of

* their own devifing, a Formality or Point of Order is
' not to be preferr'd before the faving of Men's Souls,

* and the Publiclc Good and Safety of the Church.

* Again; If inCafe of thewantof a Lawful Magiftrate,

* the People may determine of an Individual Perfon,

* whom God (hall Authorize, tho* the Scripture name

* no Individual of this Age, then they may do fo
f alfo with regard to the Miniftry. If this ben't al-

* low'd as to Secular Government, we Ihould fcarce

* have any Magiftrates in the World but by violent i»-

* trufwij which is far worfexthan Popular EletUon,

* Now the Scripture meddles no more with Individuals

* for Magifiracy than for Mi?jijiry,

Mr. Jolmfon at firft View complaio'd, That he could
rot fee that Mr. Baxter, by this R^fly^ had anfxper^d his
Second Argument ^ wherein lay the Strength of his Caufe j
but upon more mature ConCderation, he acknow-
Icdg'd to him, That he had juggejted that which enabled
him to anfvQcr it himfelf^ and given him full SatisfaElion,
For that he had convinced him, that tho' the Succejfion of
Ordination might be interrupted^ yet we may draw our
jiuthorlty from Chriji by the Mediation of the written
li\rd, or indeed by the very Law of Nature^ which obii-

gei

Chap. VIL Mr. flichard Baxter. 195

ges nil Men to do voha Good they can when they hnve Op^
per t unity ^ and there is a NeceJJity of their Help, And
that therefore he did not doubt but a Man ml^ht have a
fufficient Dlfcovery of the iVill of ChriH calling him out
to Dupy And by Cc^fequence giving him fufficient Autho-
rity for that PVorl{f tho be might want the I{?guUr En-
trance i/ito it,

3. Mr. Johnfons Third Argument was taken from
the Encouragement it would give to the Invaders and In-
truders upon the Minijlerial Office^ to own that a clear Suc-
cejTion was not necejfary.

To this Mr. B/:xter reply'd : * That what ever En-
couragement fuch Perfons might take, there was no
juft Encouragement given them. The beft Things, -

as God^j Mercjfulneji, Chrift*s SatisfaFiion^ the Preach-
ing of Free Grace, &c. may be Occafions of encou-
raging Men in Sin, but are not therefore to be dif-
own'd. Becaufe a clear Succeffion is not necejfary^ it
doih not prefently follow, that Intruders are to be
erabrac'd ; for they defpife or negle£l God's Order.
If God bid them go and work in his Vineyard, but
for Order's fake go in at this Door, he that will not
go ia at this Door is a Difobedient Servant, and not
to be own'd 'till he reform. But if God himfelf do
nail up this Door, there needs no exprefs Difpen ra-
tion for noit going in at it. And it no Way follow?,
that becaufe Neceflicy may be pleaded where 'lis
not real, it may not be therefore pleaded where it is
fo. Tho* many Men may be guided by Fancy, and
run before they are fent, yet other Ways muft be
found to ftop them, befides a Suppofition, the Con-
fequences whereof are fo fatal. Bat -what ever Li-
berty any take without aWa^-rant, that Man mnft
have a very hard Heart that would leave fuch a
Nation as this, much more all the World, to the ap-
parent Danger of BverUfling Damnation, and God's
publick Worfliip to be utterly caft out, if it fhould

* be prov*d. That the Succeffion of Legitimate Ordination

* is interrupted^

4. Mr. Johnfon's Fourch Argument was taken from
the Necejfity of Impofition of Hands in Ordination^ which

K 3 ImpO'

n4

The LI tE of Chap. VU.

Jmpofirion of Hetnds could not he had by him theit fcould
ome immediately into the Minifiry^ after a fuppos^d Inter-
uption in the Succejfion,

To this Mr. Baxter reply'd : ' That he did not take
Impofition of Hinds to be ablblutely eflential to Ordi-
nation. He mentions a Bilhop of H^^orcrfter in his
Time, fo Lame of the Go^.t that he could not move
his Hand to a Man's Head ; and yet never heard a
Nulhty fufped^ed in his Ordination. He fays. That
Impofition of Hands is required^ and a proper Means, ne-
cejfaiy not to the Beings Out to the iVell-heing of Ordinal
tion. He asks him. If becaufe the Holy Ghoft hath
reveal'd it to be the Will of Chrift, that a Bifhop
have Faithful Children, and keep them in Subje-
ction with all Gravity, it therefore follows that it
is Eflential to a Bifiiop to hav? Children ? How
interrupted muft this make the Succeflion ! Or be-
caufe 'tis the Will of ChrilV, a Chriftian (hould.
not fpeak an Idle Word, doth it therefore follow,
that he that fpeaks an Idle Word is not a Chriflian ?
Things muft not be carried too far. There may be
Nercii;ty of Ordination without fmp-'fjtinn of Haihis.
A Man caft into, remote Parts of the World, and
there plainly called to the Office of the Minifiry, if
he muft Travel over Land and Sea for Ordination,
his Life may be gone, or moft of it fpent, while he
is fecking Autlvinty to ufc it for his Mafter. if a
few only of tlie Ordainers were left in a Country,
Or in many Nations, and thofe hnprifcn'd, or forced
to hide rliemreives, they mif })r ordain by an Inftru-
ment nnder their Hands, when they could not do it
hy Imp^fi^icn of JUtids. But befidcs, it is Neryeafy
to fuppofe how Ordination by Imp -fit ion of Hands may
be kept up^ tho' an Epifccpal Succfjion fhould beintei'
rupted. And withal, the Neccifity of Impofition of
Hands in Ordination, is much iels clear than the Nc-
celHty of Ordination it felf, canvafs'd under the Se-
cond Argument. Upon the Whole he told him, his
main Strengrh lay here ; T'ont Chrift or his /Ip^ftles
have mention'd no ether H^ay of con^eyirg Miniflertal
pox^er but by Ordination and Impofition of Hands , and
therefore there is no other l^ay, and this m neccffary to the

Being cf the Ojfice, Now we may as ftrongly argue

for

Ghap. VIL Mr. Richard Baxter. 135

for any Mode or Convenient Circumftance fo re-
quir'd or us'd. j^s Chrift or his Apcftles mention no
H^ay of Ordination^ hut X9ith Vrnyerconjimcl^ or hutvpith
Impofitionef Hunds on the bare Head, or but in the Sy-
riacl^j, Hebrew, Greeks or Latin Tongues, or but on a Man
that: IS Vigilant^ Sober and of good Behaviour : And there-
fore there is no other XVay ; hut this is of abfchite Necef-
fity to the Being of the OJfce, But as this is no good
Arguing, no more is the other. It is as bad as if one
had thu^ srgu'd with the Tfraelites in the WiJder-
nefs ; God hath mention'd no other Way of Cove-
nant Engagement, or Church Entrance, but by Cir-
cumcifion j and therefore there is no other, but this
is neceflary to a Church State and an Interelt in the
Covenant. No Divines but acknowledge foire Cafes
muft be judg'd, and fome Laws interpreted, >'a'»="^e<-
iuinvy which yet is but according to the True Senfe of
the Law, as Chrift taught the Pharifees in the Cafe of
David, the Priefts, and his DIfciples rubbing the Ears
of Corn.

* As it feems "Matthias and the other Apoftles were
Ofdain'd without Impofition of Hands, fo Gregori^
Thaumaturgus was ordain'dby Ph.rdimus, both againft
his Will, and when he was diftant three Days Jour-
ney. Gregory Kyjfcn mentions it, in his Orat, de Vit,
ThaUtnat j and tells us, Tija't vohcn Gregory avoided the
Hands of the iBipdoP, he by Prayer andjolemn fpWds fets
him apart ^ tho"^ ahfijit^ to the Priefthocd. Nyjfen fpeaks
of it as true Ordination, and the Form us'd fhews
that it was Cdnftinuing him in Office as Bilhop of

Nercsfarca.

* And it really was an Authoritative Confecration
to God as a Bifliop, and a Confticnting him over
that Church by Pra) er, and folemn Words of Con-
fecration..

Their Debate ran upon many other Particulars, lefs
momentous than thefe, which are therefore omitted.

At another 1 ime, he v/as dealing with the Anabap- His treat-
tifts in order to Peace, and that upon this Occafion, »>^ w»/>
Mr. Lamb and Mr. Allen, two very fober Men, were ^he jiwt-
Paftors of an Anabaptift feparated Church in London, baptlfi.
Mr. Lamb*s Wife, who was a good undcrftanding Wo-
man, wroie Mr. Bixter Word, That her Husband was

K 4 under

1:^6 Ihe L i t^ c. of Chap. Vll.

under [ome Dijlurhancc in his Mindy not vpith any I{efe-
rence tolnfant-B^ftifm^ hut r.hcut Separation tipon the Ac-
count of it • atid that a Lettn from him upon that Sub^
jecl r^oiild he very feafouaule. Hereupon Mr. Baxter
wrote to him ; and prov'd by i'cveral Argomenrs, * That

* tho' he Ihoiild continue in his Opinion about Infant-

* Baptifm, yet he ought not to make it a Reafonof de-

* ny ing Communion with his Brethren of another Mind :'
His Arguments fo wi^bught upon him, as to faiisfy him.
Afterwards, he propounded the fame Confideracions to
Mr. Ailen^ v-ho was alfo fatisfy'd : And thereupon they
with joynt Confent diflblv'd their Church, and werp
very zealous for the Redudlion of their Brethren of the
ytnahaptifis Wzy, and to thai End they had a Meet-
ing with divers of the moft moderate Paftor§ of the
Re baptiz'd Churches : Mr. Baxter fent them Terins
on whic|i they might have Peace and Communion
with their Brethren ; and they confulted about the«5^
and were in a likely Way of Agreement, had not the
Broils of the Army, and the Confu(ion attending the
pulling dqwn of Richard Cromvel prevented it.

jfV'A ffje He treated alf^ with Mr. Philip Nye about an Agree-
Jndepen- ment with the Independents : Two Things Mr. Nye de-
denu. manded as NccelTary Concefl'ions in Cafe of an Union

That they might have Liberty to take Church Mem-
bers out of other Parilhes : And that they might have
' all Church Power within themfelves in their feveral
Congregations.' Both which were comply'd with in
Mr. Baxter's Propofals in a Meafure. According t()
which, they were to be Members of conftant Alfocia-
tions, and meet in Synods, tho' not as fubie«5l to their
Govcrnmeur, yet in order to Concord: And before
they took Members from other Churches, it was to b^
debated in thefe AfTemblics, H^hether there vons fufficient
Caufe for a ii^moval. But the grcatcft Difference was
npon the Point of Ordination, For whereas 'twas of-
fcr'd, * That in Cafe any of their Paflors removed or
dy'd, if the fucceeding Paftor wercprdain'd, either by
' any remaining PaHor of that Church, or by any Pa-
' ftors of other Churches, their own or others, they
* iliould be own'd as Paftors :' It was rcquir'd they
Ih'^uld be arknowledg'd as Paftors, tho' never prdain'd
fey any Paftor of their own Church, or any other.
^Vfaich pup a Stop "to tjic Proceeding.' A little before

Chap. Vll. Mr. Richard bixter. 127

King Charles's Return, fome Papers pafs'd between him l^'ith tht
and Dr. Hammond^ about an Agreement with the £;>//^£;j//coj74/
C0pal Party, which went thro' the Hands of Sir I(alph -Partj.
Clare. He propos'd, in order to a Brotherly Agree-
ment,, That private Chriftians might have Liberty to
manage the Concerns of Religion as they pjeas'd, in
their Family, without MoJeftation ; Profanenefs might
be urtiyerfaj/ly Difcountenanc'd and Punifh'd ; That
great Care might be taken as to the Abilities and Piety
of the Paftorsof the Church ; That no Paftofs be forc'd
on the Flocks without their Confent ; That the Mini-
vers be urg'd to Perfonal Catechizations ; That there
bean open ProfeiTion of Faith and Holinefs, upon the
puffing out of the State of Infant into that of Adult
Church Members ; That Symbolical Miftical Ceremo-
nies be not forc'd upon Perfons againft their Con-
fciences, or a Form of Prayer fo impos'd, as to reftrain
a Freedom of Praying according to the Variety of Cir-
cumftances and Occafions ; That the Paftors of each
Parifli Church have Liberty to hear Accufations of He-
refy or Scandal, publickly to admonilh Offenders upon
Occafion, and call them to Repentance, to abfolve the
Penitent and rejecf^ the Impenitent : That the Neigh-
bouring Paftors aiTociating for Union and Communion,
may hold Monthly Synods in every Market Town, ha-
ving a ftated Prefident ; that all Paftors be here Re-
fponfible for their Conduct:, and the more weighty Af-
fairs of Particular Churches here decided : That eve- ^
ry Quarter there be a Synod of all the Paftors of each ^
County, with a ftated Prefident ; to receive Appeals,
■wjthovit deftroyiog the Power of particular Paftors, or
lelTer Synods, and that no Prefident ordain, deprive,
fufpend, or excommunicate, without the Confent of
the Synod : That National Councils confift of the
Prefidencs of both the Diocefan and Inferjour Synods ;
or elfe of the Diocefan, and two out of each County,
freely chofen by the major Vote of all the Paftors : [
That no Subfcription be requir'd of the Paftors, but to
the Holy Scripture, and the Ancient Creeds, and to
the necelTary Articles of Faith and Pradfcice exprefs'd in
Scripture Terms, and to the Renunciation of all He-
refijss contrary thereto : That no Paftor be difplaced
unlefs for Infufficiency, Negligence or Scandal, com-
mitted within two Years before the Accufacion, And

th^t

»?8 The LIFE of Chap.VIF.

that Perfons Excommunicate might not be pwiiftrd
upon rhat Acconnt with Corporal Punilhments, nn-
kfs it be by Disfranchifing. -Dr. Hammond^ in Kisr

Reply, caft nH the Alterations or Abatements npon
King and Parliament, without any particular Promi-
fes of Endeavours to accomplifti them : Tho* his Death,
'A'hich was juft upon the King's coming in, was st
Great and General Lofs ; it being highly probable that
his Piety, and Wifdom, and Intereft, might have had a
ronliderable Influence for the better, had it pleas*d God
to fpare his Life.
Ui< T>ir- Beiides all thefe, and a great many more Endea-
futesrvith votirs of his for Peace among^ Proteftants, he was of-
the Tafijis.'^^^ engag'd againft the Papifts. He firft wrote three •
Difputations^ ngainft them : One to prove tbt Prote^'
jinnt I{eligion J^afe * another tO (hew their B^iigihn urT'"
fttfe I and a Third to prove, tb/ii they overthrexv the
F^tl\ by the ill B^folution of their Faith, He rext wrote
AH^inding-Sheet fcrr Popery^ containing a S^ummary of
Moderai:e and Effedtual Rcafons againft ^ their Reli^'^
gion- And afterwards publidi'd his Kfy for Catholicl^^,
to open the Jugling of the Jefuites^' and fatisfy ail that
are but truly willing to underftand, whether the Caufe^
of die i^'?wr« or B^f armed Chvchcs be of God. Befidel
which, lie managed fome particular Debates with •
leveral Rbmanifts, as H^. Jhhn(ort^ alias Terrot^ and
others. And let but all this be added to his Labori-
ons Diligence among his own particular Flock : And
''lis many Practical Writings that he publifli'd, ani
it will amaze atiy Man to conceive, how one of ((^
iTUTcli Weaknefs, who wa's conHantly folIow*d with
divers Intiimities, fhould be capable of To much Scr-
vikre : But an Heart full of Love to God, afid flam-
ing with Zeal for his Honour, carried him thro* all,
and made Ir.m for Vigour and AcSlivity the Wonder
of his Age. ^

CHAP.

Chap. VIII. Mr. Richard Baxter. 159

CHAP. VIII.

The Tratjfa&foffs in Order I0 the Healing
pafj'd Breaches^ after King Charles his
Reflauraiion : The Savoy Conftrence 5
and its frnitlefs Iffne,

WHEN the King was receiv'd with the ge- ^«. j66o.
neral Acclamations of his People, the Ex-
pe6tations of Men were various, according
to their feveral Interefts and Inducements. Some plain
and moderate Epifcopal Men tho't of Reconciliation and
Vnion with the Preshyteriar.s, The more Politick Pare
of them knew that all their Ancient Power, and Ho-
nour, and Revenues would be reftor'd to them, and
none fufferM to fliare with them, but fuch as were
entirely of their Mind and Way. But many of the
Presbyterinns were in great Hopes of Favour *. To 7^/^, ^-^^^^ ,
cherifh which Hopes, Mr. Calamy, Dr. Retinoids, Mr. mentnfthe
Jifh, Dr. Spurftow^ Dr, iVdlis, Dr. Bntes^ Dr. hUnton, Fresbyte-
Mr. C/ife, Mr. Biix.'er, &c. to the Number of Ten or W^w M«;'-
Twelve of them were made the King's Chaplains in Or- y?er< at
dinary : Tho' none of them ever Preach'd, except ^'oun,
Mt.CaUwy^ Dr. lieignolds, Mr. Baxter, Dr. Spurftovpy
and Mr. Woodbri.dge^ each once a piece. By this Means
they had eafy accefs to hisMajefty, and intending to
improve it to the Common Good, waited upon ivim
with my Lord Mtnchefier^ recommending to his fe-
rious ConFideration, the Union of his Subjeds in Re-
ligious Matters, which if he would pleafe to inter-
pofe, he had now a moft Happy Juncture for effeding ; -
and begging that only Things neceffary might be the

Terms «

* BefidesTarticuUr Tnmifis from Men inTort^er, they had an Afurance
fromKinr Charles hMlf, in his DecUrati art from Breda, to all IvsLo-
yinr Subjeas, April 4. ^660^ in rahich ^ere thefe Words : We do declare
a Liberty to tender Confdences, and tlut no Man Ihall be difquieted, or
caird in Q^ueftion, for Differences of Opinion, whicli do not difturb the
Peace of _ the Kingdom.

140

The LIFE of Chap. Vni.

An i6(5o. Terms of Union; that the true Exercife of Church
Pifcipline might be allow'd ; and rh^t the faithful
Minifters that would Exercife it might not be caft our,
nor unworthy Men obtruded on the People. Tlie
King declared hinnfelf highly pleasM with their Tncii-
nations to Agreement, and refolv'd to do ins Pirt to-
wards the promoting of it : But told them, * Thai this
Agreement could not be expededro be ccmpals'd by
bringing one Party over co the other, but by abating
fomething on both Sides, and meeting in the Midway.
That if it >vere not effedted it ftiou^d be long of
themfelvcs, and not of hinj : N^^, That he was re-
folv'd to compafs Union, and that he would draw
thetwodiftant Parties together, himfelf, t3c. yiM
thereupon he defird them^^o oflfer him fome Propofals
in order to an Agreement about Church Govenment,
which being the main Difference, if it could be ami-
cably adjufted, there would be little Danger of dif-
fering in other Things. And voithal, he defired th?m ^
to jet down the moft that they ct)uld yield to. They told
him, They were but few, and had no Commiflion
from their Brethren to exprefs their Minds ; and
therefore beggM leave to acquaint their Brethren in
the Country, that they might know their Scnfe.
The Kjng faid. That would be too long, and make
too much Noife, and therefore he had rather have
the Propofals from ihem, who might take fuch as were
in the City with them as they tbo't good. Hereupon
they declared. That theycould not pretend tofpeak for,
or oblige others ; and that therefore what they did,
muft fignify but the Minds of fo many Mm as
were prefenr. The fQing told them. It ihould be fo ta-
ken ; and that he intended not to call an Aflembly
of the other Party, but would bring a few, fuch as
he tho't meet : And that if he tho't good to advife
with a few on each Side, for his own Satisfa(flion,
none had Caufe to be offended at it. They alfo be^^gd
of the Kjn^, That at the fame Time that they offered
their Conccifions to his Majefty, the Brethren on the
other Side might ajfo bring in theirs, containing the
utmoft that they could abate and yield on their Side,
in order to Concord ; that fo when both were fecn
* and compar'd together, a Judgment might be the

t better

Chap. Vlil. Mr. Richard Baxter. 141

* better formed, as to the Probability of Succcefs. And
*. the Kjng fromisd them it fhould be fo.

After this, the Minifters met from Day to Day at
Slcn CoUedge^ to Confuk Openly with any of their
Brethren that would joyn with them ; that none might
lay they were excluded. Many of the City Minifters
came to them ; and many Country Minifters, who
were then in Town, joyn'd alfo with them ; as Dr.
iVorth^ ( afterwards a Bilhop in Ireland) Mr. Fulwood^
afterwards Arch-Deacon of Totnefs and others ; but
Mr. Matthev Newcomen was the moft conftant. In about
three Weeks Time, they agreed to a Paper of Propofals,
( which was drawn up for the moft Part by Mr. Calnmy,
Dr. F{e:gnolds and Dr. fVorth) in which, " after anHum-
*' ble Addrefs to His Majefty, and four Preliminary 7-/,^,-,. p^,,
** Requefts, viz. That ferious Gcdlinefs might be Counte- p^j-^i^ ^^ ^^
** nnnc'd ; a Learned and Pious Minifter in each Parifh King^about
** encQUraged ; that a Perfonal Publicly owning the Bnptifmal Church Go-
** Covenant might precede an admiffio?! to the Lord's Table irernment.
** and that the Lord^s Day might be ftriBly fanHified :
*^ they offer to allow of the True Ancient Primitive Pre-
" fidency in the Church with a due Mixture of Presby
** ters^ in order to the avoiding the Corrruptions, Par--
tiality. Tyranny and other Evils, which are incident
to the Admiftration of a fmgle Perfon. The Things
which they principally blam'd in the Englifh Frame^
*' were the great Extent of the Bi/hops Diocefs^ their de-
*' puting Commijjaries^ Chancellors^ and Officials to Aft in
" their flead; their ajjuming the fole Power cfO'dinavion
" and JurifdiHion ; and aHing fo -arbitrarily in Vifita^
'* tion Articles- bringing in New Ceremonies, and
" fufpending Minifters at Pleafure : And for reform-
*' ing thefe Evils they propofed, that Bijhop^VjhersF^-
** diitlion of Epifcopacy unto the Form of Synodical Go-
** vernment received in the Ancient Churchy (hould be
** the Ground- Work of an Accommodation; and that
" Suffragans (hould be chofen by the refpedive Sy-
" nods ; the Affociations be of a moderate Extent, the
" Minifters be under no Oaths, or Promifes, of Obe-
" dience to their Biihops, as being Refponfible for
*' any Tranfgreflion of the Law j and that the Biihops
'• Govern not by Will and Pleafure, but according
" to Rules, Canons and Conftitutions that ihould be
*Jl gAtify'd and EftabUfli'd by Ad of Parliament.^ —

As

<c

it

142 The LIFE of Chap. VI!I.

Aa. I jdo. ** As to the Liturgy, they own'd the Lawfulnefs of a
** prefcribcd Form of Publick Worfhip; but defjr'd ^
** that feme Learned and Pious, and Moderate Di-
** vines ot both lores, tDight be employ'd either to
" Compile a NewLj///r^, or to Reform the Old, ad-
** ding fome other Varying Forms in Scripture Phrafe,

** to be us'd at the Minifters Choice. As to the

*' Ceremonies they Humbly Reprcrcnted, chat the
*' Worlhip of God was perftid: wirhour them ; that
" God hath DeclarM himfelf in Matters of Woithip
*' a Jealous Godj that the Reform'd Churches Abroad,
'' itloft of them reje<fted the Ceremonies that wei?e
^^ rerain'd here; that here in England^ they had ever
'' fince the Reformation been Matter of Contention
" and Difpute; that they had occaiiond the filen-
'* cing of marly Pious and Ufeful Minifters, and given
rife to many Separations from the Church : That
they were at bcft but indifferent, and in their oWn
Nature Mutable; and therefore they begg'd, that
Kneeling at the Saci*ament might not be impofed, and
that the Surplice, and the Crofs in Baptifm, and the
*' Bovving at the Name of Jefus rather than Chrijl or
" Emanuel might be abolidiM ; and that Care might be
** taken to prevent future Innovations contrary to Lavv;
" that fo the Publick Worlhip might be free, not only
" from Blame but Sufpicion.

Quickly aftbr the King's Return,
* M4ny of.thefe after their many Hundreds of worthy Minifters
Betn^ turn'd out of the Se^efira- were difplac'd, and caft out of
tions, were foon fetled again in their Charges, becaufe they were in
•thcT yacant Places, xfhence they Sequeftrations where othcrshad been
«;.re afteri^ards eje^ed hy the ^^^ ^^^ ^ ^^e Parliament. The
An of Un^formuy: And a. for j^^^^^..^ ^^^j^j j^-g y^^-

fuch (IS were not Jo fnon proytdcd ,. • u l ■ rT r \ r r »j

for, they had wJJt much ./#- ' >' . "^'f, '^''' Propofals, hgnify d

cuhy cjick/y got Lirings or L ^-^^^'^ J"' , ^,"''^'^1^°" '^^' ^^^
aurcfljips.i'fthatAahadHnin- fiich fhonld be Caft out, as were
capacitated them ; on which Ac- m any Benefice belonging former-
count it it much tire fame Thing, ly to Onc that Was not grofly «n-
04 if that A^i had frfidifplacd fiifficient or Debauch'd ; but hnm-
them, biy Bcgg'd, that rdl who had fuc-

ceeded fc.tndaloui Perfcnj, might
hold their Places. They further dcfircd, that the
Broad-Seal might be revok'd which had been granted

to

(C

Qiap. VlII. Mr. Richard Baxter. 145

to ieveral, for thole Livings that had been formerly An. i66v.
fequeftred, where the Old Incumbents were fince
Dead ; by which Grants many worthy Pofleflbrs
were ejedted, tho' there were none before that could
pretend any Right ; And chat his Majefty would be
pleas'd to Publiih his Pleafure tliat no Oath or Sub-
fcriptiojis, nor no Renunciation of Orders might be re-
quired of any, till it was feen what was the lifne of
the defired Agreement. The King treated thera very
Refpe.difully, and renewed his Profeilians of his earned
deiires of an Accommodation of the Differences, told
them he was well pleas'd that they were for a JLirurgy,
and yielded to the Eflence of Epifcopacy, and promis'd
them that the Places where the Old Uicumbents were
Dead, fhould according to their Defire, be contirm'd
to the Poffeflbrs.

Whereas it had been promis'd them by his Majefty ,
that they fhould meet with fome Divines of the other
fide, and fee their Propofals, it much difappointed
them to find •none of them appear. Bur, they were
fearful of giving Difguft, by Expoftulating or Com- The An-
plaining. After fome time of waiting for the Conde-/Ver of th
fceniions and Compliances of the Epifcopal Divines f/^y^^/''?'
in Order to Peace, they at length receiv'd a biting 2?*>m:.
Anfwer ; by way of Refledtion on the Propofals they
had made to his Majefty. In this their Anfwcr,
they Declare as to their Preliminary I{equsslj, "' That
** they don*t perceive any farther Security can be
" given, than is provided by the Laws of the Realm '
** already eftablilh'd. As for private Religious Liber- '
*' ty that they are free to it, fo a Gap be not opened
** to Sed:arys for private Conventicles, for the Confe-
'* quences of which none can be refponfibie to the
*' State : That they are for a Godly Minifter in each
" Pariih, but know not what is meant by his re-
** fiding in his Cure, * nor how far that Word may be
'* extended, nor what farther Provifion can be made

" for

^ Thefe Gentlemen it feems were of Arch-Blfhop WhitgiftV Mind, rsho in
<t Letter to ^mn Elizabeth, teils her the Church must fall, if the Bill
a^ninfi "Pluralities (then brought into the Houfe of Common<) (})Ould tale
iUce. See Fullers Church Hhloiy, Book 9. Fa^. igt.

144 ^/j^ L I Jr E of Ctiap. WIL

4(

An. j66c' '* for it. As for Confirmation^ and the keeping Scaft-
*' dalous Perfons from Communion, rhey tho'c the
" Church had fufflciently provided : And as for the
** Obfervation of the Lord's Day^ they declare the Laws
*' of the Land were ftri6ler than the Laws of any Fo-
*' reign Reforoied Church whatfoever. As to Church
*' Governmsnt, they declare for the former Hierarchy
** without any Akeration ; and invidioufly infintH
**" ate. That their Retleiiions on the Confequences of
*' a fingJe Perfon's Adminiftration in the Church waa
as applicable to the Civil State. The Extent of D/-
ocejfes^ they declare fuitable eno' to the Bifhop's Of-
fice: And the Adminijiration of EccleJiaJUcat Jurif-
difiion by Chancellours, ^c. Regular in the main*
" Bp. V/her's f^edutlion,- they rejeft as Inconfiftenc
" with Two other of his Difcourfes, and as being at
** beft but a Heap of private Conceptions. The Litur-
** gy they applaud as unexceptionable, and think it
** can't be faid to be too Rigoroufly impos'd, when
*' Minifters are not deny'd the Exercife of their Gifts
(^p^ '* in Praying before and after Sermon. Which fort
" of Praying, they declare however, is but the conti-
** nuance of a Cuftom of no great Authority, and
grown into Common Ufe by Sufferance only, with-
out any other Foundation in the Laws and Canons.
The revifing the Liturgy neverthelefs they yield to^
if His Majefty thinks fit. As for the Ceremonies^
** they could not part with one ; not being able to
think that the Satisfa(ftion of fome private Perfons,
*' was to be laid in the Ballance againft the Publick
** Peace, and Uniformity of the Church. Nay, were
*' any Abatements made, they are fatisfy'd, unquiet
** Spirits would but be thereby encouraged to make far-
*J ther Demands.

Bifhop Vfijer's Model of Government being the Scheme
which the Presbyterian Minifters now prefented to the
King, I ihall here annex a Copy of it, that every one
may know what it was patticulariy chat the Biihops
refus'd.

-Xh

ct

U

Chap. Vllf. Mr. Richard Baxter. 145

The RedtiBion of Epijcopacy unto the Form of Syno-
dical Government received in the Antient Churchy
proposal in the Tear 16^1^ as an Expedient for the
Prevention of thofe Troubles which afterwards did
arife^ about the Matter of Church Qovsrnment.

Epifcopal and Presbyterian Government covjoynd,

BY the Order of the Church of England, all Prcs.
byters are charged to {a) Minifter the Doctrine and (a) The
Sacraments and the Difcipline of Chriil: as the Lord J^ortn of or^
hath commanded, and as this Reahn hath recelv'd ^er;«j^
the faaie. And that we might the better under/land Fne/is.
what the Lord had commanded therein, che Exhor-
tation of St. Pnulio the Elders (b) of the Church of £- {b) Ibid.
f he/us, is appointed to be read unto them ar the time -^'^■^^i 0.17,
of their Ordination : Take heed jinto yourfches, and to ^ ^•
alt the Flocks among whom the Holy Gho[t hath made you
Overfeers to * rule the Congregation of God, rvhich he hath
purcha/ed with his Blood.

Of the many Elders, who in common thus Rul'd
the Church of EphefuSy there was one Prefident whom
our Saviour in his Epiftle to the Church, in a pecu-
liar manner, ftileth r^^e (c) Jmel of the CLitrch c/Kphe- (c) Eeve/.,
fus. And Ignatius, in another Epiftle written about z. i.
twelve Years after to the fame Church, callcth the Bi-
(hof thereof. Betwixt which HiJhop and the Presbytery
of that Church, what an Harmonious Confent there
was in the ordering the Church Governmenr, the
fame Ignatius doth fully there declare. By the l^ re shy-
tery (with St. Paul (d) ) underftanding the Company fd) i Tim,
of the refl of the Presbytery or Elders, who then had a 4- M*
Hand, not only in the Delivery of the Doctrine and
Sacraments, but alio in the Adininiftration of the
Difcipline rf Chrift. For farther Proof whereof, we
have that known Teftimony of Tertullian in his gene-

L ral

* ^TQifJiMw, fo tahn Mat. 2. 6. and Rev. ij. 5. and i^. is-

146 The LIFE of Chap. VIIL

(c) Ibidem ral Apology for Chriftians. In (e) the Church are us'd
etnm Ex- Exhortaticns, Chtrftifcments^ and Divine Cenfures; for
hortitio- Judgment is given with great Advice, as among chofe
nt?, CiCxi- ^jjQ ^j.g certain they are in the Si^ht of God, and it
gauones, -. ^^^ Chieftfft forelhcwing of tlie Judgment which is to
Divfn'L "" ^o^"^^ ^^ ^"y ^^" ^'^^^ ^^ offended that he be banifti'd
n:j*m "& ju- ^^°'^ ^^^^ Communion of Prayer, and of the AlTembly,
dicaciir an^ ^f 2ili ^o^y Fellowlhip.
m:igno

cum pondere, ut apud certos dc Dti confpe£lu, fumraumq^ futuri Ju-
dicii Picjudicmm tit, fi quis in deliquerit, ut a Communione Orati-
onis, & Convtntus, & omnis San£^i Commercii relegatur. Pisefidenc pro-
bati quique Seniores. Honorem iflum non piecio, fed Teftimonio adepti.
Tert. Apol. Cap. 39.

The Prefidents that bear Rule therein, are certain
approved Elders who have obtained this Honour, not
by Reward, but by good Report. Who were no
other (as he himfelf elfewhere intimateth) than thofe
(f) Nee (/) from whofe Hands they us'd to receive the Sacra-
dealiorum ment of the Eucharift.
manibu.s
quam Pr.ielidentium fumiraus. Idem de Corona Militis, Cap. 3.

For with the Bifiiop, who was the Chief Prefident
Tand therefore ftifd by the fame TertuUian in another
(g) Dandi pJace Summiis (g) Sacerdos for diftindiion fake) the reft
quidera of the Difpenfers of the Word and Sacramenis were
Biptifmi joyn'd in the common Government of the Church,
habct jus And therefore, in Matters of Ecclefiaftical Judicature,
Summus Cornelim Biftiop oi l{ome us'd the received Form of (JO
Sacerdos gathering together the Fresbytery.

pifcopus,

de hinc Presbyteii & Dinconi. Idem de Baptifmo Cap. 17. (Ji) Omni
A£^u ad me perhto placuit contiahi Presbyitrium. Cornel, apud Cypri-
anura. Epif. 46. i.

Of what Pcrfons that did confifl, Cyprian fufHcient-
ly declareth, when he wifh'd him to read his Letters
py riorcn- ro (•) the flourilhmg Clergy that there did rcfiJc, or
tifllmo illi Rule with him.
Clero, fe-
ciiai Prafidenti, Cypiiin. Ep. $$. ad CoirneL

The

Chap. VIIL Mr, Richard Baxter. 147

Art. i66q.
The Prefence of tbe Ckrgy being tho't to be fo rCf
quifite in Matters of Epifcopal Audience, that in the
4th Council of Carcha^^e it was concluded ft), that the ., .^ ^ .-
Bilhop might hear no Mans Caufe without the Pre- ^ us I
fence of the Clergy, which we find ajfo to be inferted [usCaufarn
in the Canons of\K^i'er^ f/), who was Arch-bifhop of amiiatabrq-
Tork^ in the Saxon Times, and afterwards into the Body PrrEfentU '
of the (w) Canon Law itfelf. . Ckrico-

rum SiiQ-
Tumj alioquin irrita eric fententia Epifcopi nifi Ciericorum PrtfentiAcon-
iirmetur. Concil. Carthag. 4. cap. 23. (/) Excerptiones Hgberti. C3i). 43,
Qn) 15. Qji. 7. cap. Ni^Uns.

True it is, that in our Church this kind of Preshy-r
?m4^ Government hath been long difus'd, yet fee-
ing it ftiJl profefleth that every Paftor hath a Right to
Rule the Church (from whence the name of ^^or3.U
fo was given at firft to him) and to adminifter the
Difciphne of Chriil, as well as to difpenfe the Do-
(Strine and Sacraments, and the Reftrainc of the Ex-
ercife of that Right proceedeth only from the Cuflom
now receiv'd in this Realm :• No Man can doubt, but
by another Law of the Land, this Hindrance may be
well remov'd. And how eafily this Ancient Form of
Government by the united Suffrages of the Clergy
rnight be reviv'd again, and with what little fliew of
Alteration the Synodical Conventions of the Pafiors of
every Parifli might be accorded with the Prefidency of
the Bifhops of each Diocefs and Province, the Indiffe-
rent Reader may quickly perceive by theperufalof tha
^nfuing Propofitions,

L

In every Fari(h the Redlor, or the Incumbent Paftor, the Pare*
together with the Church- Warden and Sides-men, may fhU! Co-
every Week take notice of fuch as live Scandaloufly in-'*'^''"'"^"^ ^
that Congregation ; who are to receive fnch feveral Ad- ^njv?erabi9
monitions and Reproofs, as the Quality of their Of- ^^ * "^
fer^ce (hall deferve ; and if by this means they cannot ^^^'^^ ' .^
be reclaimed, they may be prefented unro the "^^ct /'^'^j^j^ .^
Monthly Synod, and in the mean time be dej^rr'd by
t{ie Paftor from accefs unto the Lord's Tabl^.

1^8 The LIFE of Chap. VIII.

ui)i» 1660.

II.

The Month- Whercas by a Statute in the 16, of Hen.S, (revived
iy Synods in the iftof Q- Eli:(,) SutFragans are appointed to be
anfwrerable erc£led in Twenty fix feveral Places of this Kingdom,
to the Scot- iiiQ number of them might very well be conformed unto
tifh Presby- ^jjg number of the feveral Rural Deanries, into which
^7r "^n- ^/' c^^'y Diocefs is fubdivided ; which being *done, the
eUfiafiic^l guffj-^gan (fupplying the place of thofe who in the An-
meetin^. ^.^^^ Church were call'd Chorepifcopi) might every
Month aflemble a Synod of all the Rectors, or Incum-
bent Paftors, within the Prccindt, and according to
the major part of their Voices conclude all Matters that
ftiould be bro*c into»Debate before them. To this Synod
the Redor and Church- Wardens might prefent fuch
Impenitent Perfons, as by Admonition and Sufpenlion
from the Sacrament would not be reform'd; who, if
they would ftill remain Contumacious and Incorrigi-
ble, the Sentence of Excommunication might be decreed
againft them by the Synod, and accordingly be Execu-
ted in the Parilh where they liv*d. Hitherto alfo all
things that concerned the Parochial Minifters might be
referred, whether they did touch their Dodtrine or their
Converfation : As alfo the Cenfure of all New Opini-
ons, Herefies and Schifms, which did arife within that
Circuit, with Liberty of Appeal if need fo require unto
the Diocefan Synod.

HI.

Diocefan The Diocefan Synod might be held once or twice in
Synods an- the Year, as it ihould be tho^t molt convenient ; there-
fvferahle to yi all the Suffragans, and the reft of the Redtors or In-
th Froytn- cCimbent Paftors, or a certnin Sele^ K umber out cf every
\'^^Sy»<^^ Dennry mthin that Diocefi might meet; with whofe con-
»»bcotiana. Cgj^j^ ^^ jjjg major part of them, all things might be con-
cluded by the Biftiop or *■ Superintendent, (call him
which you will) or in his Abfencc by one of the Suffra-
gans, whom be fliould depute in his ftead to be Moderator

of

* 'H^ffMWKVTif, I. e. SuperintendenteSj unde & nomcn Epifcopi traOum
eft. HierQtu Bpifi,d^. aa Er atrium.

Chap. VII L Mr. Richard Baxter. 149

of that Aflembly. Here all Matters of greater Mo- A». 1662.
ment rnighc be taken into Conlideration, and the Or-
ders of the Monthly Synods levis'd, and (if need be) re-
form'd. And if here alfo any Matter of Difficulty
could not receive a full Determination, it might be re-
ferr'd to the next Provincial or National Synod.

IV.

The Provincial Synod might confift of all the Bi- The JPro-
fhops and Suffragans, and fuch of the Clergy as fhould "V'^fW and
be Elcded out of every Diocefs within the Province. ^'^^''"^'^^
The Primate"" of either Province, might be the Mode- p^^^ '*^'
ratorof this Meeting, (or in his room fome one of the^f^'jf ^^
Bilhops appointed by him) and all Matters be order'd ^^^^"/7„
therein by common Confent, as in the former Aflem-Scod^nd."
blies. This Synod might be held every third Year,
and if the Parliament do then fit, both the Primates
and Provincial Synods of the Land might joyn together,
and make up a National Council ; wherein ail Appeals
from Inferiour Synods might be received, ^Zf their Adts exa-
min'd, and 4^ Ecclellaftical Conftitutions which concern
the State of the Church of the whole Nation eftablifti'd.

Shortly after, inftead of the Dlocefans Concejfions^ the The Kin^^s
Minifters were told, chat the King would put all that Declaration
he tho't meet to grant them into the Form of a De- concerning
claration, and they (hould See it before it was Publifti'd, Ecdefaftt-
and have Liberty to give Notice of what they dif- ^^^ Affairu
lik'd, as not Confiftent with the defir'd Concord: And
a Copy of the faid Declaration was accordingly fent
them by the Lord Chancellor. Having perus'd ir, they
drew up a Petition to the King, and join'd with it
fome Remarks on the Declaration : But being deliver'd
to the Lord Chancellor, he dropd it, and never call'd
them to Prefent it to the King ; but defired the Particu-
lars of what Alterations they would infift on. They de-
livered him a Breviate of the Particulars as he dcfir'd,
which he took time to Confider of. And after all, a
Day was appointed for his Majefty to Perufe the De-
claration as the Lord Chancellor had drawn it up, and
to allow what he lik*d, and alter fhe reft, upon the
hearing of both fides. At the time appointed, the King
came to the Lord Chancellor's, with the Dukes of

L 3 Al-:

ISO The LIRE of Chap. VIIL

»in. i66q. Albermarle and OrmonJ'^ the E.'of MancheHer, the E^
of Anglefea^ and Lord HoU, &c. and Dr. Sheldcn Bi-
ihop of Lovdon, Dr. Morley Biihop of iVorceiler, Dr.
Hinchnjan Bifhop of Snlttbury^ Dr. C^fms Biihop of Dur-
ham^ Dr. GVr/</L72 Bifhop of Exeter^ Dr. Hackct, Dr. Bar-
n»/c^', and Dr. Gunnings &c. on one fide: On the other
Part flood Dr. I{rigmlds, Mr.C^/nw^, Mr. /ifk.Dt.lVal-
/^, Dr. 'Mntitori^ Dr. Spinjiovp, Mr. Baxter, and fome
others. The Bufincfs of rhe Day was nor ro Difpute,
but as the Lord Chancellor tead dver the Declaration,
feach Party was to fpeak to what they diiliked, and the
King to Determine how it ihoM be as he liked himfelf.
There were various altercations aboiitPrehcyand Rcor-
dination, and the Particulars of the Declaration i and
when the whole was Perus'd, the Lord Chancellor
drew out another Paper, intimating that the King had
alfo bsen Petitioned by the Independents and Annbr.ptirrs
for Liberty, and therefore he Read an Additional Part
of the Declaration, to this purpofe, chat others alfo he
permitted to Meet for B^iigioui H^orjhip^ fo be ;>, thy do
it not to the difiurbnnce cf the Peace; and thnt no Jujlice
x>f Peace or Officer drfturb them. This being defign'd to
feture Liberty to the Papisls, there was a general filcnce
upon the Reading it. The Bifliops tho't it a nice Point,
and therefore faid nothing : The Preslyterians were a-
fraid to fpeak againft ir, Icalt all the Scd:s and Parties
ihould look upon them as the Caufers of their Suffer-
ings; and they fliould be reprefented as groily Partial,
in de/iring Liberty themfelves, while they would have
no others have it with them. At length, Mr. Baxter
fearing their filencc might be milinterpreted, fpake to
this purpofe. Th^t Dr. Gunning n little before jpenkjtig^
■AgainH ScBs^ i:ad nnm d the Papifis and Socinians : That
for their Pnrts^ thiy did net defire Favour to thetnfeives n-
ionei end rigorous ^averity ngainst none : But as they Hnm-
l!ythanl(d his M^jcHy for his d^chir'd Indulgence to them-
feheSj fo they diftinguifJo'd the tolerable Parly frcrn the in-
iolernble : for the forvicr, they humbly crnv'd fdf Leni-
fJ and Favour: But for the Liitjr^ fttch ,is the two forts
tncntton'd^ for their Pa^ts, they could not rtiakc their Tole-
rntict} their I^equeft. ,To which hJAMajefly faid, that
there were Laves fufficifnt ttg<^injl the P/ipifis : And Mr. B/rJt-
^er rcpjy'd, that they under jhad the Qufjlion to be^ whether
^bofe Law; Ihould b(&xepmedor mt ^ ijppn which the Matter

was

Chap. VIIL Mr. Richard Baxter. 1 5 j

was drop'd. Bin before the brea:king np of the Meet- An. 1660.
ing, the King, having Decermin d what he would have
ftand indie Declaration as to the Senfe of it, nam'd four
Divines to Determine of any Words in the Alterations^
if there were any Difference ; vi^. Bp. Morky, Bp. Hind:-
man, Dr,I{eignolds and Mr. C^/<jwj : And if they difa-
greed, the Earl of Anglefe/i^ and the Lord Hollis were to
decide them. And at length it came out fo amended,
with fuch a Paftoral perfwafive Power of Governing
left to the Minifters with the Rural Deans, as that it
"was fitted to be an Inftrument of Concord and Peace,
•if fetled by a Law ; and fo the Divifion might have been
heafd, upon the Alteration of the Liturgy, as the De-
claration promised. Several of the Minifters were off^-t'd
Preferments: Mr. Calamy had the Biftop of Coventiy
and Litchfield ofFer'd him, Dr. B^igrwlds the Bifhoprick
of Norrvicf^ and Mr. Baxter that of Hereford. Dr. Aiirj-
ton was offer'd the Deanery of {(ocbeftsr, Dr. Bates tlie
Deanry of Coventry and Li tchfie Id, 3,nd. Mr. Edward Bowles
the Deanry oi.Tork^-^ bur all refus'd, on the Account
of the uncertainty of the Continuance of the Terms in
the Declaration, except Dr. I{eignolds, who declar'd
when he accepted the Bifhoprick of , Norwich, that he did
it upon the Terms laid down in the Declaration, and
not as Epifcopacy ftood before in England • and that he
would no longer hold or exercife it, than he could do
it on thofe Terms.

In the Declaration which was dated O^cberi'^^ 1660.
The King thus Exprelfes himfelf, ' V/hcn we were in

* H)lland, we were attended by many Grave andLearn-

* ed Minifters from hence, who were look'd upon as the

* moft Able and Principal AfTertors of Presbyterian Opi-
' nions, with whom we had as much Conference, as the

* multitude of Affairswhicb were then upon us, would

* permit us to have .- And to our great Saiisfadion and
' Comfort, found them Perfons full of Affedioji to us, of

* Zeal for the Peace of the Church and State, and neither

* Enemies (as they have been given out to be) of Epifcopa-

* cy or Liturgy ; but modeftly to defire fuch Alterations in

* either, as without fhaking Foundations, mighcbeft allay

* the prefent Diftempers, which the indifpofition of times,

* and the tendernefs of fome Mens Confciences had con-

* traded. For the better doing whereof, we intended upon
! ourfiift arrival in thefe Kingdoms to call a Synod of Di-

E 4 ' vinaat

152

The LIFE of Chap. Vin.

An. i66^.

vines : And in the mean Time publiOi'd in our Decla-
raiion from Bredn a Liberty to tender Confciences.
We need not profefs the high Efteem and Affedtion we
have for the Church of EnglayiH, as it is eftablilh'd by
Law. Nor do we think that Reverence in the leaft De-
gree diminifhM by our Gondefcentions, not Perempto-
rily to infift upon fome Particulars of Ceremony, which
however introdacd by the Piety, Devotion, and Order
of former Times, may not be fo agreeable to the pre-
fent ; but may even ielTen that Piety and Devotion for
the Improvement wliereof they might be firft intro-
duc'd, and confequently may well be difpens'd with.
And we have not the Jeaft doubt, but the prefent Bi-
lliops will think the prefent Conceffions now made by
us, to allay the prefent Diftempers, very juft and rea-
fonabJe, and will very chearfully Conform themfelves
thereunto.* Of thefe Concefllons, this was the Sub-

ftance : ' The King declar'd his RefoKnion to pro-
mote the Power of Godlinefs, to encourage theExer-
cifes of Religion both in Publick and in rrivate, to
take Care that the Lord's Day fhould be applied to
Holy Exercifes, without unncceffary Divertifements;
and that infufiicient, negligent, and (candalous Mini-
fters, fhould not be permitted in the Church. That
no Bidiops (hould ordain, or Exercife any Part of }u-
rifdidion, which appertains to the Cenfures of the
Church, without the Advice and Affiflance of tbePref-
"byters, and neither do, nor impofe any Thing, but
v^'hat was according to the known Laws of the land ;
that Chancellors, CommiflTaries, and Officials lliould
be excluded from Acfls of Jurifdi(5tion, the Power of
the Paflorsin their feveral Congregations reftor'd, and
a Liberty granted to all the Minifters to affcmble
Monthly, for the Exercife of the Paftoral Perfwafive
Power, to the promoting of Knowledge and Godlinefs
in their Flocks. That the Minifters (hould be freed
from the Subfcription requirM by the Canon, and the
Oath of Canonical Obedience, andreceiveOrdination,
Inditution and Induction, and exercife their Fun-
(flion, and enjoy the Profits of their Livings, without
being oblig'd to it: And that the Ufe of the Cere-
monies (houJd be difpcns'd with, where they were
fcrupled/ Thefe Conceflions were fo highly pleafing,

that' an Addrefs of Thanks was drawn up, and fign'd

Chap. VIIL Mr, Richard Baxter. 152

by many of the Minifters in and about London ; which ^«. i66o.
Addrefs was Gracioufly receiv'd.

Biu after all, this Declaration had no EfFe(5t, fave
only a Years fufpenfion of the Law ihac afterwards
took Place. Ac a Diftance in the Country fome Men
were fo violent, that they indidted Minifters at the
Aflizes and Seflions, notwithftanding the Declaration,
taking it for no Sufpenfion of the

the King and the Lord Chancellor „f tins Kind, r»ay be reeni„ the

on their Behalt, they were general- Conformift's Fourth Piea for

ly delivered. But as to the Matter the Nonconformias.

of Church Government, none of the

Concefiions in vhe Declaration, were put in Execution.

However it being promis'd in the Declaration, That rhe Confe-
the Liturgy fhould he reviewed and reform d, and New rence at the
Terms drawn up in Scripture Phrafe^ fuited to the feveral Savoy.
Parts of TV^rfhip^ that Mm might ufe which of them they
pleas'*d, a Commifllon was at length granted to cer-
tain Pei-fons nominated, to meet for that Purpofe. The
Commiflioners on one Side, were the Arch-bi(hop of
Tork, the Biihops of London, Durham, I{ocheJier, Chi-
chefler, Sarum, M^orcejier^ Lincoln^ Peterborough, Che-
fter^ CarlJfie^ and Exceter; and on the other Side,
Dr. I{eignolds now Bi(hop of Norwich^ Di,Tuckny, Dr. Co-
nant^ Dr. Spurjiow, Dr. PVallis, Dr. Manton, Mr. Ca~
limy, Mr. Baxter, Mr. Jackfon, Mr. Cafe, Mr. Ciarl^^
Mr. Newcomen : The AfTiftants on one Side were
Dr. Earles, Dr. Heylin, Dr. Hncket, Dr. Barwick, Dr. Gun-
ning, Dr. Pierfon, Dr. Pierce^ Dr. Sparrow, and Mr.
Thorndike ; and on the other Side, Dr. Horton, Dr. Ja-
comb, Dr. Bates, Mr. Kjiwlinfon, Mr. Cooper, Dr. Light-
foot^ Dr. Collins, Mr. PVoodbridge, and Dr. Drake^

The Savoy, and the Bilhop of London s Lodgings
there was appointed as the Place of Meeting. When
they were met there, the Bifhop of London told the
Minifters, That they, and not the Bijhops, had been Seek^-
ers of the Conference, being defirous of Alterations in the
Liturgy : And that, therefore, there was nothing to he done
*tiU they had hro't in all that they had to fay againji it in
H^ritingy and all the Additional Forms and Alterations
which they defir'^d. The Minifters moved for an Arnica-
hie Conference, according to the Commiflion, as think-
ing it more likely to contribute to Difpatch, and to

the

154 The LIFE of Chap. Vllf.

Ah. i55o.theanfwering the Great End: Whereas, Writing would
be a tedious endlefs Bufinefs, and prevent that Fanri-
liarity and Acquaintance with each others Minds, which
might facilitate Concord. But the Bilhop of London
abfolutely infifted upon it, That nothing jhould be dwQ
'till rtll Exceptions, Alterations /:w<^ Additions, rv^re hro^t
in at once. And after fonic Debate, it was agreed,
That they fhould brhig ."'^^ their Exceptions^ at one Time,
and all their Addiiions at anotherTime. Exceptions were
accordingly drawn up by Dr. I{eignolds, Dr. iVallis,
Mr. Calamy, Mr. Kewcomen, Dr. Bctcs^ Mr. Clarl^
Dr. Jacomh,8<c. and in fome Time ofier'd to the Biihops,
Vropofah ^^^ ^^^^ Paper they propos'd, * That the Prayers and
about the * 'Materials of the Liturgy might have nothing in them
LituTTj, ' doubtful, or quTfliond annongft Pious, Learn d, and

* Orthodox Perfons. \_ * That as the Reformers at firfi fo

* compofed the Liturgy^ as might he mofi lil^ely to rvir^

* upon the Papifts, r.nd dravp them into their Church Com^
' tnunion hi varying as little as veell they could from the
*' Romirh Forms before in ufe ; fo it mighty according to

* the fame ^ule of Prudence^ be then fo compos* d, at to

* gain upon the Judgments and AffcEiirn of nil thofe, voho

* in the Subftantials of r/jf Proteftant Religion are of the
*■ fame Perfvoafion.'] That the Repetitions and F^fponfals
' of Clerk and People might be omitted. That the Pc-

* titions of the Litany might be caft into One Solemn

* Prayer, to be ofFer'd up by the Minifter, and not fo

* as that the Precatory Part fiiould be uttered only by
' the People. That there be nothing in the Liturgy
' countenancing the Obfervation of Lent as a P^Hgious
' Fafl. That the Religious Obfervation of 5/i/w^/D^;'j

* and Vigils be omitted. That the Liturgyht not fo im-

* pos'd, as totally to exclude the Gift of Prayer in any
' Partof Publick Worfhip. That the New Tranflation

* of the Scriptures be us'd inftcad of the old Verfion,
' which in many Places is juf^ly exceptionable. That

* Apo-

* It is not wiKiorthy Obfcrvatio/i.^ that this Material Frnpofiiort is wholly
emitted by our late Hiftorian^ in the Third Folume af the Complete Hiftoiy
of EnglTid, in Vol. p.j^. 255. tho' it 4< niuch defery'^d to be taken Notice of as
the othit;. I'll leave the Reader to guefs at the Beafon why that fjiould be
faf,'d by, when what went before and followi, is particularlyrecited. ThUis
more likely to hayc been a def^nad than an accidental Thing.

Chap. Vill. Mr. Richard Baxter. i^-

* Apocryphal Lcjfons might be omitted. That the Mini- An. 1660.
^ fter be not required to Rehearfe the Liturgy at the

^ Communion Table. That the Word Pricft and Curate
' throughout the Book be turnd into that of Minifler^
' and Sunday into Lord's Day, That Oblolete Words
^ be changed into Words generally receiv'd, and better

* underftood. That no Portions of the Old Trjlamenf
^ or of the Book of the AHs^ be ftil'd or read as Epi-
^ ftles. That the Phrafe which fuppofes ali in Commu-

* nion to be Regenerated (while due Care is not taken

* about the Exercife of Difcipline) might be Reform-
' ed ; And that the Petitions in the Prayers might have

* a more orderly Connexion^ and the Forms be of a

* more competent length, which would be more to E-

* dification, and tend to gain the Reverence of the
' People. That the Liturgy might be fo contriv'd, as

* to comprehend the Sum of all fuch Sins as are or-
^ dinarily to be confefs'd in Prayer by the Church', and
^ of fuch Petitions and Thankfgivings as are ordinarily

* to be put up to God; and the Catechifm annexed,

* might fummarily comprehend ali fuch Dodirines as

* are neceffary to be belie v'd, and thcfe exphcitejy fee

* down. That Ceremonies not neceifary in them-
' ioivts^ and that had for above an Hundred Years,
' caus'd fad Divifions and been the Fountain of mani-
' fold Evils, might not be impos'd by the Liturgy, but

* left at Liberty.' After which General Propofals, a
great many particular Exceptions were added as to the
feveral Parts of the Liturgy, and Paflages in it j of
which thcfe that follow are the Chief. — — * As to the
' Morning and Evening Prayer, they excepted againft

* that Part of the Rubrick, which fpeaking of Orna-

* ments to be us'd in the Church, left room to bring back
^ the Cope, Aibe, and other Veftments : Againft the
' leaving out the Doxology at the End of the Lord's

* Prayer, the frequent Repetition oi Glory be to the Fa-
^ tber, S<.c, lihe finging of the Leffons, Epiftles, and Go-

* fpels ; and againft the ufing of the Benedicite^ rather

* than a Pfalm or Scripture Hymn. —In the Litany they
' excepted againft the. Exprellion deadly S/w,and mov'd ic

* rcii^t he c\i2in^ di into heinous 01 grievous : Againft the
^ Exprellion fudden Death, which they mov'd to
< be chang'd into dying Juddenly and unpreparedly : And
« againft pr&ying for fill that travail by Land and

' " ' ilVater^

155

The LI FE of Chap. VIII.

A». 1660.

Heater, &c. fo univerfally, which they defir'd to
»:3ve put indefinitely, tho/e that Travel, &c. In the
Collect for Chrijimns-Dajf, they excepted againft the
Word this Day^ us'd two or three Days fucceiUvely ;
and they excepted againft feveral Expreflions in
divers other Colle(as for Feftival Times. In the
Order for the Adminiftration of the Lord's-Supper,
they excepted againft the Time adign'd for giving
Notice to the Minifter, as too Ihort, when confin'd
to over Night or in the Morning, as to Perfons who de-
fign'd to Communicate. They excepted againft the
Kubrick about the Minifters keeping unqualified Per-
fons from the Lord's Table, as not fufticiently^ear
and ftrong : As to the rehearfing the Ten Command-
ments there, they excepted againft leaving out the
Preface to them ; againft the Way of reading the
Fourth Commandment ; againft Kneeling at the
reading of this, more than other Parts of Scripture ;
and againft the ihort intermix'd Prayers of the Peo-
ple, when the Minifter's concluding with one fuita-
bie Prayer would be much better. As to the Exhor-
tations, they excepted againft fome of them, as un-
feafonable to be read at the Communion. And
whereas 'tis faid, 'tis requifite that no Mnn (loould come
but with a full triij}^ they excepted againft it, as tend-
ing to difcourage Perfons under Trouble of Mind.
They excepted againft the Prayer at the Confecration,
as not fufficiently explicite and diftinc^, the breaking
the Bread not being fo much as mention d ; and a-
gainft requiring the Minifter to deliver the Bread and
Wine into every particular Communicant's Hand
with diftindk Words to each ; and againft the oblig-
ing all to Kneel ; and every Parilhioner to receive
three Times in the Year. As to Baptifm ; they ob-
jected againft being oblig'd to Baptize the Children
of all Comers ; againft the (hortnefs of the Warning
mention'd when a Child was to be baptiz* d ; againft
covenanting Sureties, to the overlooking of Parents
in whofe Right the Child is baptizd ; againft con-
fining Baptilm to the Font; againft that Expredlon
in the firft Prayer, of fanHifying Jordan and nil Wa-
ters, by Cbrift's Baptifm : Againft the promifing and
anfwcring of Sureties in the Name of the Infant ;
againft the Exprelfipn in the fecond Prayer of receiving

!\emijJion

Chap. Vni. Mr. Richard Baxter. 157

J^emiJJton of Sins by Spiritual Regeneration; againft -d>f. i66a
that Expreflion in the Prayer afier Baptifm, \A/hich
infmuates as if every Child that is baptiz'd, was re-
generated by God's Holy Spirit ; and againft the
Crofs. In the Catechifm, they excepted againft the
mentioning God-fathers and God-mothers as giving
the Name 5 againft the intimation of Regeneration as
univerfally attending Baptifm ; againft rehearfing the
Commandments any otherwife than according to the
New Tranllation ; againft the mentioning two Sacra-
ments only as generally ncceflary to Salvation, when
there are Two only ; Againft Teeming to found Bap-
tifm upon A(ftual Faith and Repentance, and that
efpecially as perform'd by the Promife of the Sure-
ties ; and againft the omitting a particular Explica-
tion of Faith, Repentance, the two Covenants, Ju-
ftification, San£lification, Adoption^ and Regenera-
tion. Againft the Rubrick afferting the certain un-
doubted Salvation of baptized Infants, without Ex-
ception. Againft the flight Ufe of Confirmation.
Againft the Suppofition in the Prayer, that all that
come to be Confirm'd, have the Spirit of Chrift,
and the Forgivenefs of all their Sins. Againft the
founding Confirmation upon Apoftolical Pradice, in
the Prayer after Impofition of Hands : and againft
making the Receipt of Confirmation abfolutely necef-
fary to the Holy Communion. In Matrimony , they
excepted againft the necelTary Ufe of the Ring ; a-
gainft that Expreflion, vpith my Body Ithee vporfhip^ Sec.
In the Order for the Vifitation of the Sicl^j they ex-
cepted againft the Form for Abfoiution, as not fufti-
ciently Declarative and Conditional ; and againft in-
joining the Minifter to give the Sacrament to every
iick Perfon that defires it. In the Office of Burial^
they excepted againft the Minifters being oblig'd to
meet the Corps ; againft the common tlfe of that
ExprefTion of God's taking to himfelf the Souls of all
that are offer'd to Burial, which is not true of Perfons
living and dying in open and notorious Sins. Againft
giving God hearty Thanks for delivering ail that are
ofFer'd 1:0 Burial, out of the Miferies of this finfu!
World, ^c. which may harden the Wicked, and is
inconfiftent with the largeft Rational Charity : And
agaijift hoping that thofe reft in God, who have not by

' their

158 The LIFE of Chap. Vjir.

An. 1 66c.* their Adual Repenrance given any
! Hope of their BleffedEftace, G^c.

Ground for the

The drawing up of the Additions or New Forms was

undertaken by Mr. Baxter alone, who f^il'd it, The

Reformed Liturp^ which when read by the Minifters

was generally approved of. And that the World may

judge what fort of Forms they were, which the Mi-

■** The Com- nifters defir'd to have Liberty to ufe inftead of the

filer of the Forms that were in Ufe before, or inftead of fome of

Third Vo' them where they fcrupled any Fart of the Service-Book,

lumer^frht this Reform d Liturgy is here added attheClofe of this

Complete Volume at large, as it v^^as then drawn up. *

Hifiory of TA •

Enghnd, ^"^"g

in Folio, p. 235. here pajfes th!s Cenfure. When the drawing up the Addi-
tionsor New Supplements to be made to the Liturgy, was by his Brethren
committed to him alonCjhe drew up an abfohite Form of his own,and ftil'd
it the Reformed Li tr4r^y • as if he had the Modefty to think that the Old
Liturgy compird by a JSIumberof very Learned Confeflbrs and Martyrs, muft
now give Place to a New Form, compofed by a Tingle Man, and he by E-'
ducation much inferior to many of his Brethren.' But had this Gentleman
veen fojufi, as to have read the 'Reafons tphlch Mr. Baxter g;4-p(?, for his doing
that -Kfhich he refrefms as fo ajfuminq;^ he'd hare feen little Occafion for
his Fcfie^tion. Tor the Def^n of this Liturgy rffas not to juTlle out the Old one,
vhere PerfonstPere fat i<fed with itf but to relieye fuch as durft not ufe the Old
one as it vpas., by helping the?n to Forms taken out of the Word of Cod. Or fup'
fofe xpe, that the Old Liturgy had in tlie Opinion of many fallen fhort of this
1^'ew one ; others are at a L')fs to di foyer %phy this fhnuld appear fo prepo/ierotesy
unlefs it be unaccountable fir Perfons to prefer a Liturgy iutirely Scriptural, to
one that is made up of Humane finafes.^ and fome of ti)em 'jufily enou'^h
exceptionable. It muft be cv?n^d that the Old Litur<:y was framed by
Sundry ConfefTors and Martyr?, and upon that Account it deferves vefpeCir :
And it vpos a great Step for them to caji fo many Corruptions out of the
TublicK Service as tijey did., at that Time, vplien this Liturgy was drawn out
of the fercral Forms that were in Ufe in this Kingdom before. But it was but
ft Purfuit of their Dcftgn, to render the Public k Service yet more Scriptural.'
And had they rifen frcm tife Dead, there's gr.od Keafon to bcUeye that they
would generally have approved uf it -^ aitd been fo far from looking upon it as
a detracting from them, that they would have applauded it 4s a good Super-
firuClure uporl their Foundations. Suppofe then he that drew up this Ke formed
Liturgy was by Education much inferior to many of liis Brethren, it ;tc/t/;er
follows from thence, :hat he mufl really be fo far injerior to them in ufe-
ful Knowledge and valuable Abillties^as this Author would ftem to intimate-^
nor can it jufily be ilimcp ar^u'd that i>is Performahce wa-- C'r.itejnpti'jle-^ nor
that therewas any want of Mode/iy neither, when hii Bretlne:: put him upon
the Undertaking. And bejides, they giving their Approbation when they pe-
Tuftd itf and joyhing in the prefentingiity made it in FjfUt tinir own, as fuj-

ficlently

Chap. VIII. Mr, Richard Baxter. 159

During this^ Interval, the Convocaticn was chofen,^^«. i6<5i.
iivhich was PoUtickly defen'd 'till now*. Had it been
caird when the King came in, the

inferiour Clergy would have been ¥ rhe Author of the Confor.
againft the Diocefans. But after- wifis Plea for the Nonconformifis^
wards many Hundreds were turned fays^ great Fains and Care K>ere
out, that the old fequeftred Mini- ufed to frame this Conyocation to

fters, how meanly foever qualify'd, the Mind oj the High Prelatical
might come in. And the Opinion ^^^'> h ^^f/"«<C fo»^e out, ani
of Reordination being fet on foot, S:''''»S ''hers in, by yety undue:
all thofe Minifters, who for Twenty Proceedings. Part i . Pag. 57.
Years together, while Biihops were
laid afide, had been ordain'd without Diocefansi were
in many Countries denied any Voices in the Election of
Clerks for the Convocation. By which Means, and a
great many Minifters Scruple, who tho't it unlawful to
have any Thing to do in choofing fuch a kind of Af-
fembly, the Diocefan Party wholly carry 'd it in the
Choice. The Eledlion was in London^ May 2. 166 1.
Mr. Calamy and Mr. Baxter were chofen by a Majority
of three Voices. But the Biihop of London, having the
Power of choofing two out of four, or four out of fix:,
that are chofen by the Minifters in a certain Circuit,
was fo kind as to excufe them by pitching on others :
And fo the City of London had no Clerk in the Convo-
cation t* Mrf^ the 4tb, the Paper of Exceptions was
given in at a Meeting with the Biihops, M^y the 7th,
there was a Meeting at Sion-CoUedge of the Minifters of

London

fciently appears from the Preface prefixed : And fome of them (it is well
known ) had Academical Education^ and great Applaufe in the World too^
and yet tho't not Mr. Baxter at all their Inferior, 'Nay fome Verfms that
tffere not yery Uhely to be prejudic'd in Mr. Baxter'^ Favour, haye tho't this
Performance of his, to be the bejj of the kind that they ever faw.

t Dr. Allen of Huntingdonlhire, Clerk in this Convocation, eamefily la-
boured tPith Dr. Sheldon then Bifhop of London, ( afterrsfards Arth-Biffy^p )
that they might fo Reform the Liturgy, a* that no fober Man might make Ex-
ception : But was wi(l}ed to forbear-, for that what fijould be, was concluded

on, orrefolvd. See Conformifts Plea for the Nonconforraifis, Part i.

pag. gi. So very Nice and ExaCl were the high Party, that they would
not yield fo much as to forbear the Lejfons of the Apocrypha : Infomuch, that
after a long tugg. at the Convocation- Houfe about that Matter, a go-)d DoUor
came out at lafi with great Joy^ that they had carried it for Bell and the
Dragon.

i6o 7he LIFE of Chap. VIIT.

An. 1 66 1. London ^ for the Ghoice of a Prefident and Afliftants

for the next Year. Some of the Presbyterians upon a

pettilli Scruple abfenting thcmfelvcs, the Diocefan

Party carried it, and got the PofTciiion and Rule of

4f ^ the Colledge. May the 8th, the New Parliament and

time aftn Co«z;or/j^;o« fat down, being conftituted of Men fitted

an AH: ^"'^ devoted to the Diocefan Intereft. May the iith,

tafs'il for by Order of Parliament, the National Vow and Cove^

Confir/rJtto- nant was burnt in the Street, by the Hands of the Com-

and Re- mon Hangman*.

fiorin^ of

Minifiers', by which it was €nafied<, That eyery Ecclefiajllcal }'Perfon or
Minijier^ bein^ orda'tiid by any EcctefafiUaL Perjlns^ before the 2')th Day of
December laji f receding^ being of the Age of i\ TearS) and having not re
9tounc''d bis Ordination, vho had been formerly fine e the Tear of our Lord 1^42.
nominated to, or placed in, and in aClual Poffeffon, and taking the Profits of
any Ecclefiafiical Benefice, Rechry, Farfonage, Ficatidge, Church, Chappe/j
Cure, or other Ecclefiafiical Promotion with Cure of Souls, within this Realm
of England, &c. which hath been become void either by Death, voluntary Re-
fignation, or Surrender, or other Avoidance to the Patron, or any other Pcrfon
pretending to have Title to accept of Refignations, fince the faid \fi Day of
January, and before the faid i^th of December lafi preceding, and was on
the faid 2 Sth Day of December, in Pojfeffion, and received the Profits thereof j
being in the Gift, Donation, Prefentation, Collation or T^omination of the
King's Majcfiy, or of his Royal Father, in Right of the Crown, or by Reafon of
Wardfijip or any other Title, or of any Archbifhop, Bifhop, Dean and Chapter^
prebendary, Archdeacon, Body-Politick or Corporate; fhould be, and was
thereby declared, adjudged, and enaCied, to have been, be, continue, the real
and lawful. Incumbent, Parfon, Re^or, Vicar, and Pojfejfor of the faid Ec-
clefiasiical Benefices, Livings and Promotions refpeElively, to all Intentf and
Purpofei whatfoever, as if he or they had been nominated, prefented, collated,
admitted, infiituted and induced thereunto, or plac'd therein in due Form of
Law, and h.td read and fubfcrib'd the Articles according to the Statute in
that Cafe made and provided ; and notwithfianding any other Matter or Thing
by him or them done, or omitted to be done.

Sometime after, the fame Tear an Afi alfo pafi, for the well Governing
and Re"-ulating Corporations, in which among other Things it was enaSled^
That none P}ould be in Office in any Corp',ration, that fhould not within a Tear
before hi s Ele(}ionjhave taken the Sacrament according to the Rites of the Church
of England.

A Petition was by the Common Confent of the Mi-
niCters drawn up, to be prefented to the Bifhops at the
fame Time with the Reformed Liturgy -, which were
both prefented accordingly. In this Petition they,
with great Humility and Earneftnefs, begg'd their A--

bntin?^

Chap. Vllf. Mr. R^ichard Baxter. i6i

hating their Impofitions in Order to the Peace of the^»- i^^**!
Church ; and very pathetically urg'd many moving Ar-
y^uments to induce them to a Compliance ; and in the
End "they addrefs themfelves to them in thefe Words.
' Grant us but the Freedom which Chrift and his Apo-

* ftles left unto the Churches : Ufe necefTary Things as

* neceflary, and unnecefTary Things as unnecefTary ;
' and" charitably bear with the Infirmities of the Weak,

* and the Tolerable while they live peaceably, and then

* you will know when you have done, and for the In-
' tolerable, we beg not your Toleration, &c.

The Bilhops after fome Delay, fent them a Paper of
Reafonings againft their Exceptions, without anyA-
batemencs or Alterations at all, that are worth the nam-
ing. An Anfwerto which was alfo drawn up.

AtJaft, the Commifflon being near upon expiring,and
there being but ten Days left, the MiniAers fent to the
Bifliops to deflre fomc Perfonal Conference upon the
Subjecft Matter of the Papers ; which was yielded to :
And at the Meeting the Anfwer to their laft Paper was
deliver'd them. And the MiniAers earneftly prefs'd them
to fpend the little Time that was remaining, infuch pa-
cifying Conference as tended to the Ends mentioned in
the King's Declaration and. Commiffion : And told
them, That fuch Difputes as they by their Treatment
had engag'd them in, were not the Thing defir'd, or
what moft conduc'd to thofe Ends. There is fome Rea-*
fon to think, that the Generality of the Bilhops and
Dodtors who were prefent at thefe Meetings, did not
read the ^•formsd L'twgy^ or, The [{eplyof the Mln'ifteri -
to their R^nfons flgninji the Excoptions they had given in.
For they were haftily put up, and carried away without
particular PeruGl, unlefs in private ; which may be
doubted of as to moft of them, (except their parti-
cular Anfv/erers) becaufe that when in the laft Difpu-
lation, Ml'- Baxter drew out the lliort Preface to their
Reply, (which was written by Mr. CaUmy^ to enume-
rate in the Beginning before their Eyes, many of the:
grolTeft Corruptions which they ftifly defended, and
refus'd to reform) the Company feem'd aihamVl and
was (ilcnt, by which he perceived they had not read it;
Nay, the Chief of them confefs'd, when they bid him
read that Preface, that they knew of no fuch Thing.
So that it feems, before they knew what was in them^

M they

i62 The LIFE of Chap. VIII.

-In. i.6i. tbey refolv'dto rcjed thcPapcrsof the Minifters, right
or wrong, and to deliver them up to their Contradidtors.
When they came to Debates, the Minifters dcfir'd the
Bilhops to give their Animadverfions on the Additions
and Alterations of the Liturgy. And that they would
declare what they allow'd or difallow*d in them, that
they might have the Ufe of thecn, according to the
Words in the King's Declaration and Commiflion. But
they would not by any Importunity be prevailM witfl
to debate that Matter, or give their Opinions about
thofe Papers. Being re je£^ed there, it was mov'd. That
tbey would go over xhc Particulars excepted againft^
ani-declare hoxv much they could abate, and what Al-
terations they could yield to. But they declar'd. They
had nothing to fay upon that Head, Vill a NecefTity of
an Alteration in the General was prov'd, which it had
not as yet been: They would yield to all that was
prov'd Neceflary, but look'd upon none as Neceffary.
The Minifters urg'd them again and again with the
Words of the King^s Declaration and Commiffion.
They told them the Ends exprefs'd were, ' For the Re-
- moval of all Exceptions, and Occafions of Excep-
f tions, and Differences from among our good Sub jedls;
*' and for giving SatisfacSlion to tender Gonfciences, and

* the reftoring and continuance of Peace and Unity in

* the Churches : y^nd that the Means xvere. To make fuch
. * reafonable and neceftary Alterations and Amendments,

* as (hall be agreed upon to be Needful and Expedient

* for the giving Satitifad^ion to tender Gonfciences, 8cc.'
Which fnppofeth that fome Alterations muft be made.
The Bifhops infifted on two Words, Nccejfary Altera-
//dwj,and fuch /is/houldhe agreed on. The Minifters told
them,The Word Necejfary referred to the Ends exprefs'd;
tbefntisfying tetiderConfcienccs, 8cc. and was join'd with
Expedient : And that it was ftrange, that when the
King had fo long and publickly detcrmin'd of the End,
and call'd them to Confult of the Means they (hould at
laft prcfume to Contradi(5l him, and determine the End
it felt unneccffary, and confequently no Means necef^
fary ; And that therefore all their Meetings had been
but trifling. And that when they were cail'd to Agree
on fucli neccflary Means, if they would take Advan-
tage of the Word, to agree on nothing, that fo all En-
deavours might be fruftrated for want of their Agree-
ment;

Chap. Vni. Mr. Richard Baxter. 16:5

mem, God and the World woilld judge between them, ^. i65i»
who it was thatfruftrated the King'$Cotnmi{rion,and the
Hopes of a divided Bleeding Church. They reply 'd,
they muft prove Alterations necpjfary : The Minifters an-
fwered, they were necejfary to Peace Ind Unity, which
without them would not be actain'd. Which they
would by no Means yield.

This was to draw on a Difpute, before the End of
which, the Time of the Codimiflion was like to ex-
pire ', they told the Biftiops, that that Method could
hot poflibly tiEhd to any Accommodatioh ; and that to
keep off from Perfonal Coriference, till within a fevv
pays of the Expiration of the CommiiTion, and then
to refolve to do nothing but wrangle but the Time in a
Difpute, as if they were between Jeft and Earneft in
the Schools, was too Vilibly in the Sight of all the
World, to defeat the King's Commiflion, and the Ex-
i)ed:atioiis of many Thoufands, v(^ho long'd for Unity .
and Peace. But nothing elfe would be yielded to, and , ^/"^^
fo a Diifpute was agreed on, to arcue the Neceflitv, oi ^ ^j ,
no Necefiity of altering the Liturgy. ^j^^^ ^.^

After this was agreed on, many Hours were fpenr Sanderroa
in fettling the Order of the Difputaiion. The Minifters ^/;o ^^s
Offered to oppofe one half of the Time, if they would /rrcyiwt at
do it the other half of the Time^ that fo the Difputa- tins Debate ^
tion might be on equal Terms : They refus'd it ; and an- y7^W^ not
ifwer'd, that it belong'd to them only to Argue, who were ^^^^ ^^""^
the Accufers, and not at all to them who were on the Opportunit;;^
Defence. The Minifters reply'd, that they vverc i\\ef^'' ^learani
Pefenders againft their Impofitions : For thus was the y»^^^^^^
Cafe ; They commanded them to do fuch arid fuch ^/^^ ^«f"^-
Things, or elfe they (hould be excommunicated, filenc'd,^y^^^^ ^'^
imprifon'd and undone: Againft this they defended ,^^^J^^ ^
themfelves, by calling upon them to Ihew their Autho- f^j^^^y^^-,
rity from God, for fuch Impofitions. They call'd up- cal. it
on them therefore, to ptQve that God had authorized may he thi
them to any fiich Thing ; and told them, Hh^t if they rather
refuid they gave Up their Cnufe*, At laft, ( after two rvonderd

caufein his warm Preface before his $ermons, which nvas written in i6^ji
(hut five Tears before this Conference) he thus fums up the Controverfy^ between
the Impofers and theRefufersof Ceremonies. This, fays he'y is the plain Cafe
in fliorc. The Bifliops require Obedience to the Laws EaClefiaftical : Thefc
M^ri refufe to give it, fo began the Qiiarrel at firft ^ ahd upon the lame

M % (aftct

1 64 The LIFE of Chap. VIII-

Teims it Days Debate about the Matter) Dr. Pier/on alone un-
continued. dertook that he would difpute on their Side, when the
Ifth^tO- Minifters had difcharged the Opponents Province;
bedicnce which was accepted. Three of a Party were chofen
challenged, on each Side to manage the Difpute. The BiHiops
were in- chofe. Dr. Pierfon, Dr. Gunnings and Dv,Sp.irroxv ; the
deed due Minifters chofe. Dr. Bates, Dr. Jacomh, and Mr. Bax^
^L , 'er • And ihcy n:\et to difpute accordingly. But there
aws, t en ^^j.^ (-^ ni^ny Speakers, and fo many Interruptions, and
did our r I- I r 1 o » ^i • r^

Brethren ^^ "^^"7 htcje perfonal orangles, that it was to very ht-

fays he, ' ^le Purpofe.
both begin

the Quarrel and hold it on ; if it were not, then mafb the whole Blame
lie upon thofe that Ciaimed it unjiiftly, and not upon them : So that upon
the winding up of the Bifinefs, the whole Con troverfy will devolve upon
this Point, whethei- to the Laws Ecclefiaftical, Obedience is due or not ?
Uhat ]?ity 'f i^as, that this fingle Toint was not no%9 cawvafs'd^ when there
was fo faif »<« Opportunity ! Let any Man judge where the Blame lies^ when
the Mini fie^^ t^ere fo forward^ and the Biffi^ps fo backward.

At length Bi[hop Cofins produces a Paper as from a
Confiderabie Perfon, containing a Method to end the
t^infulTm- ControverTie. The main Thing in this Paper, was,
po/ttifins in <* Motion to put the CompUiners upon Difiin!^ui[hing between
the Church, thff Things they chargd as fjnful, and thofe which they op-
posed as Inexpedient only. The three Difputants on the
• Minifters Side, were defir'd to draw up an Anfwer to
it againft the next Morning ; and they did fo, and de-
liver'd it, but it was in their own Names only. Eight
Things they in this their Reply charg'd as flatly Sinful,
and contrary to the Word of God, That no Minifler
be admitted to bapti:!^e without the prefcribed Vfe of the
tranjji-nt Inmge cf the Crcfs : That no Minifler be permit^
ted to B^ad or Pray^ or Excrcife the other Parts of bis
office, that dare not wear a Surplice. That none be ad'
fnitted to Comrntmion in the Lord'^s Supper, that dare not
receive it Kneeling ; and that all Minifters be enjoined to
deny it to fuch. That Minifters be forcd to Pronounce all
bctpti'^d Infants Regenerate by the Holy Ghoft, whether
Children of Chrifiians or not. That Minifiers be forc'd ta
deliver the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Chrift^ Uti^ .
to the Vnfit both in Health and Sickjiefs, and that with
Perfonal Application^ putting it into their Hands i And
that fuch are forc'd to receive it^ tbo" againft their own

mils.

Chap. VIIL Mr. Richard Baxter. 165

Wills, in the Confcience of their Impenitency : That JMini*
flers he forc'd to abfolve the 'Unfit, nnd that in r.hfolute
ExpreJJicns: That they are forc'd to ^iveThnnkj for all
vthom they Bury^ as Brethren whom God hath deliver'd
and taken to himrelf : And thnt none m^ty he a Pre/jcher^
that dare not fubfcribe, Tl.at therc^ is nothing in the Com-
mon-Prayet Bool^, the Book of Ordination, and the Nine
and Thirty Articles, that is contrary to the Word of God, * Our
And they undertook to prove as much.* After a great ^f^^ Hifio.
deal of wandering Difcourfe, they came at length to ^**'*» '" '^'^
the Difpute, which was manag'd in Writing : The fole pj??"^^^^^
Argument handled was, The Sinfulnefs of enjoyning Mi- n ^^^^
niflers to deny the Communion to aS that dire not l\neel i 11 p° :
and it was drawn out to a coniiderable Length. . p. 22$ fays

it feems
very rtrange tliat thefc Men fhould undertake to mention Eight unlawful
Things in the Liturgy, when they could not affirm any one of thofeThings
tobf; in it felf unlawrul, but argu'd altogether upon the unlawful Impoli-
tion of them, which they might as well have done by the fame Argu-
ment in Eight Hundred of ather indifferent and moft innocent Matters :
And he adds, it muft be confefs'd to be ftranger fljll, that of the Eight
/jnful Things which they here enumerate, Two of them, the Fifth and the
Sixth, are pofitiveiy falfe in the Suppofition of them ; For by the Li-
turgy the Minifter was not forc'd eitiicr to adminifter the Sacrament, or
the Abfolution to unfit Pcrfons. Had this Gentleman confderd that the
unKv arrant ablenefs of kecking fuch Impoftiuns in the Church wai the

Thing that Mr. B and his Brethren ofered to proye, in oppoftion to

th'yfe vfho ja?ere zealous fur retaining them, and how little in this Cafe di-
pends upon the fimp/e unlarvfulnef of the Things imposd ( abJlvaCling from
ail Cir cum fiances in a Metaphy/ical Senfe) the Jirangenefs of their Troceed-
inr v?ouid have difappeard. for tho tije fame Argument would haye done
in Ei:ht Hundred indiferent Things (had there been fo many fo imposed,)
yet it does not folLw but that it would he good and valid in tl}e Eight Things
mentioned, in which they tho' t they p)ould be bound up by the LccUfaflical Con-
fitution, (if they really muft have been fo conjindj while they could not dif-
€orer their Compliance to be lawful. And thn this Author declares that the
Ufth and Sixth Things mention d were pofitively falfe in the Suppofition
of them, yet he muft allow it to appear flrangs to othcn, he fhould mtntion
this with fo much Ajfurance, when he hirr. felf cannot be infenfible that there
has ail along been a Party in the Church, that hare reprefented Minivers
as under an Obligation to adtninifier the Sacrament, and Abfolution, to all
that defire either, without ViftinClion, and that this Farty has not wanted
Tower to run down thnfc^ whofe Afprehenfom haye herein been different
from theirs. •

Ma 'J'he

i66

The LIB t. of Chap. VII I.

* See the Argument for Tor-
hearance in "Rulers to intpofe
Thinrs ujinecejfary, (irenuoujly
ur^ed from tJyis I i\th to tlte Ro-
mans, in the Proteftant Recon-
ciler, JBart I . chap. 4.

^H. i66i- The moft remarkable Things in this Difpute were
thefe Two.

The Difpw Firft, The warm Debate there was among them as rq
tation at the Senfe of that noted Text, l^m. 14. i, 2, 3. Him
the Savoy, that is weak, in the Paiib receive you, hut not to doubtful
Difputntions, For One helieveth, that he may eat all
Things: Another^ who is iVeak.^ eatethHerbs, Let not him
that eateth^ dej^ife him that eateth not ; And let not him
which eateth not^ jf^^g^ ^'^ ^^^^^ ^^f'
eth^ for God hath receiv'd him*. The
Debate about this Text was thu$
ocafion'd : The Presbyterian Difpu^
tants had argu'd againft the enjoyn-
ing Minifters to deny the Commu-
nion to all that dare not receive it
Kneeling as a finful Irapofition, in
that it was an cnjoyning them to deny the Com-
munion to fuch as the Holy Ghcft had required them
to receive to it : He having required rhem to re-
ceive to it fuch as were weak, in the Faith, who are
charg'd with no greater Fault than erronecujly refufir.g
Things Lawful ds unlawful. And for this they urg'd this
Text. The Bifhops Difputants replied, * There was
a Difference between Things fo Lawful as that they
may be done, and Things Lawful that are requir'd by
a Lawful Power, for both may be call'd fuch. The
others fiill urgd that Text ; pleading. That tho* the
the ApoftJe fpake there of Things Lawful, and not
commanded, yet being himfelf a Church Governour
he commanded them not; nay, requir'd even Church
Governours, as well as others, to receive the Diffen-
ters and forbear ihem, and not make fuch Things
the Matter of their Cenfure or Contempt. Thry an^
fwerd. That that Text was not to the Purpofe, both
becaufe it fpeaks of Things Lawful and not Com-
manded, whereas the Debate was about Things Law-
ful and alfc Commanded; and, withal, becaufe the
receiving them there mentioned, is not to be undcr-
ftood of immediately receiving them to the Holy
Communion. The Presbyterian Difputants anf«>er''d^
That tho' it was true the Text fpake about Things
Lawful and not Commanded, yet when they were
debating the Lawfulnefs of a particular Command,

* viz.

r^

Chap. VIIL Mr. Richard Bixter. 167

(viz. The enjoyning Minijiers to deny the Communion to An. \66i,
fuch as durst ?iot receive it Kneeling) it was very pro-
perly urg'd ; becaufe the Text forbids any fuch Com-
mands of Things Lawful, as are not confiftent with
receivi7tg and forbearing. And they added. That that
Text muft necefiarily take in receiving Perfons to the
Holy Communion, becaufe it requires the receiving
Men to that Church Communion in the generaJ, and
without exception,of which the Communion in theHo-
ly Sacrament is a moft eminent Parr. Nay^ they farther
ur^d the Point clofely thus. The Text fpeaks indeed of
Things Lawful, as fuch, abftradting from Commands
But of Things which materially were partly not Com-
mandedy and partly Commanded, h was not Com-
mnnded to Eat or not Eat the Meats in Queftion, to
keep the Days or not keep them : In thefe they virent
againft no Law. But to be Weak^ in the Faith^ and
erroneoully to take Things Lawful to be VnUwful^
and Things Indifferent to be Neceffary, and to offend
a Brother by the Ufe of Liberty on the other Side,
were againft the Commands of God. But as for the
Things about which there was to be a Forbearance,
the Text intimates, that they ought not to be com-
manded by any under a Penalty that is not confiftent
with that Forbearance; for that no Governourshave any
Warrant to rejedt fuch as are only weak in the Faith :
they ought to receive them, and to farther their Re-
ception ; and cannot do any Thing towards their Re-
jcdlion upon the Account of any fuch Weaknefs with-
out flat Sin, without breaking the Laws of God,
who hath required that fuch Perfons, lliould not be
rejetSted on the Account of Things in themfelves In-
different. For the Things fpoken of by the Apoftle,
were not only not Commanded, but forbidden to be
Commanded, any farther than may ftand with the
Reception and Indulgence mentioned.' And they
bro't the Matter clofe to the Cafe before them thus.
They of whom St. Paul fpeaks were to be receiv'd and
forborn, altho' they finn'd in their Weaknefs, in refu-
ting that as (infui which was not fo. So tho' it Ihould
be own'd that it were unwarrantable to refufe Kneel-
ing as flatly finful, yet were the Scrupulous to be re-
ceived and forborn. And that the rather, becaufe they
that refufe Kneeling, at worft, break but the Com-
" M 4 mand

i68 The LIFE of Chap. VIII.

An. \66\' mand of Man ; whereas they of whom Sc. Paul fpeaks
broke the Commands of God, and yet were to be
forborn : And then, That the Text was to be under-
Itood of Church Commit nion, they prov'd from the
Circiimftances of the Words, from Parallel Texts,
and from the Teitimony of the moil celebrated Expo-
licors, Hammond and Grotius,

Sccondlv, In the other Part of the Difpute, when
the Epifcopal Divines were the Opponents, they bro'c
an Argument of which this was the Major Propolition :
"Jhiit CQinmnnd, which commit ndeth only an Act in it feif
Lawful, is not Sinful. This Mr. Baxter denied. The
Opponents back'd it wi;h another Syllogifm, of which
this was the Major : That Command, w/Jch commandeth
An Ac} in ic feif Lnveful^ and no other Ad or Cicumjlance
Z'nlnvpful, is net Si>ful. This alfo Mr. jB^jcf^r denied ;
giving this double Reafon : Both becaufe that may be
accidentally a Sin which is not fo in it feif, and may be
unlawfuHy commanded, the' that Accident be not
in the Command: And alio becaufe it may be com-
nianded under an unjuft Penalty, the Opponents there-
fore urg'd farther thus : * That Command which com-
' mandech an Adt in it felf Lawful, and no other Acl:
^ whereby any unjLift Penalty's enjoyn'd, nor any Cir-
' cumltance whence direcflly, or per Accidens^ any Sin is
- Confequent, which the Commander ought to provide
' againlt is not Sinful.* MT.Bitxrcr itiil pfrlilted in his
Denial, and gave this Reafon : Beraufe the iirft Adi
commanded may be accidentally Unlawful, and be
commanded by an nnjuft Penaltv, tho' nooiherAdl
or Circumitance be luch. The Oj>pnnents therefore
pnce more advanc'd this Propofition: ' That Command

* which commandeth an Adt in it felf Lawful, and no

* other Adi: whereby any unjuft Peniky is enioin'd,
' nor any Circumitancc whence djredtlv, or f^er Acci-
*■ dens, any Sin is Cofifequenc, which the Commander
f ouphr to provide againlt, haih in ic all things requi-

- lire to the Lawfuinefs of aComm.md, and particularly

* cannot be guilty of commanding an Act per Acci'

- ^.v/j unlawful, nor of C('mmini!ing an A£lunder an
^ unini)" Penalty.' Which Proportion alio he denied
for the foregoing Reafons : Litimating that fuc]! a Com-
piajid hath not iiecelfariJy ail Things in it tequifite to

the

Chap. VIII. Mr. Richard Baxter. 1 6^

the Lawfulnefs of a Command j becaufe tho* no other j^B An. i^^f
be commanded whereby an unjuft Penalty is enjoyn'd,
yet ftill tjie firft AB may be commanded, under an unjuft
Penalty : And the* no other Ad or Circumftance be .
commanded, that is a Sin fer AccUens, yet the firft if
felf commanded may be a Sin fer Accidens. h may be
finful privativei'y, by omiflion of fomething neceffary,
fome Mode or Circumftance. It may finfuJIy reftraitj,
tho' it finfully command not. It may be finful in Mo-r
dis ; commanding that univerfally^ or indefinitely, parti-
cularly, or fingularly, that fhould be otherwife y tho' in
the Circumftances (properly fo cali'd) of the A(ft, no-
thing were commanded that is linful. It may thro* cul-
pable Ignorance be apply 'd to undue Suhjetli^ who are
not Circumftances. As if a People that have the Plague
be commanded to keep Publick AlTembJies for Worihip,
the Lawgiver being culpably ignorant that they had
the Plague, ^c. This repeated Denial put them fo
hard to it, that they could proceed no farther. And
being ftop'd in Arguing, they have fince made it up
in unhandfome Refle£tions. Biftiop Morley particularly
in Print aiferted, That this Aflertion of Mr. Baxter's
was not only Falfe, but Deftruftive of all Authority,
Humane and Divine, as not only denying all Power
to the Church of making Canons Eccleliaftical for the
better Ordering and Governing the Church, but alfo
taking away all Legillative Power from the King and
parliament, and even from God himfelf. For that
no A£l can be fo good of it felf, but it may prove by
accident a Sin : And if to Command fuch an A(5l may
be a Sin, then every Command muft b? a Sin. And if
to Command be a Sin, then God can command no-
thing, becaufe he cannot Sin : And Kings, Parliaments
and Churches ought not to command any Thing, be-
caufe they ought not to Sin.

Upon this the whole Nation almoft was fiU'd with
Tragical Exclamations againft the abominable Affertion
of one of the Difputants at the Savoy*. As if, be-
caufe

■^ He that vpould fee a dt^inCi Account of this Matter, may read Mr. Bax-
Xtx's Letter to his Belored "People of Kederminfter, of the Caufes of his beinr
forbidden by the Biffjop of WorcefJer to Preach within his Diocefs ; with the
Bifhofs Letter in Anfvffer to it ; and fome fbort Animadverfons upon the
Bifhop's letter. Printed in 1662.

I70 The LIFE of Chap. VriL

An. i65i.caufe 'twas aflerced that Things not evil of themfelves,

may have Accidents fo evil as may make it a Sin to him

that (ball command them, it (hould therefore follow

that nothing may be commanded for fear of thofe evil

Accidents, in Cafes where the Commander cannot be

chargeable with any Hand in them. Whereas 'tis a

* Owr/<rf« Truth eafily defenfible; That whenfoever the CommMnd"

hi (tori an i^g or Forbidding of a Thing Indifferent is like to occafion

(in the more hurt than good, and this may be forefeeny the Com"

Complete manding or Forbidding it is a Sin*,

Hiftory of

England, FoL 3. p.l'i$) might if he had pleas d have conjider^d thiiy before
he grac'd his Margin with the Dif-ingenuity of Mr. Baxter. He /hould
have tryd to difprove this, leafi his Readers (hould be tempted to retort the
iharze.

He wants Eye-fight that cannot difcern that there
may be feverai Accidents, that may make the Impofi-
tion even of a Lawful Thing Sinful. For to take on-
ly the Inftance that was under the Confideration of
thefe Difputants : Suppofe it ever fo Lawful of it felf
to Kneel in Receiving the Lord's Supper, if it be im-
posed by a Penalty that is incomparably beyond the Pro-
portion of the Offence, that Penalty is an Accident
of the Command, and maketh it by Accident Sinful in
the Commander.

^ Our late' And thus ended the Difpute ztth^Savoy^, and all
hiforian Endeavours for Reconciliation upon the Warrant of
(See Com- the King's Commiflion. But it may not be amifs to
plete Hi- ^^j^j (-Qj^g Remarks upon the Temper and Carriage of

^'""'y «J theCommiflloners.

tngland,

p. 2^6.) when he mentions the F.nd of thin frwtlefs Conference, fays, That
Che Presbyterian Divines depended too much on the Encouragement rhey
had rcceiv'd from the King, and his Chief Miniflcrs ; and on the Af-
furances given them by fome of the leading Members of Parliament ^ in
which he is yery likely to be in the Right : But when he adds^ they were
miftaken in the Merits of their Caufe, he triumphs before a yiflory ; un-
iefs he had made a fuitahle Reply to their Petition for Peace, which was the
inly Caufe they efpousd or pleaded for*

Bilhop

Chap. Vlll. Mr. Richard Baxter. i^i

_ ^ 1—

Bifliop Sheldon* o£ London, (afterwards Arch-Biftiop -^. 1661,
of Canterbury) did not appear often, and engagd not at
all in the Difputation, and yet was well known to have ^'«^^ h
a Principal Hand in difpofing of all fuch Affairs. He '^^y ^Z^'^'*-

died .^«. 1677. ]feElif

Avch'Biihop Frewen of Torl{ was a peaceable Man, ^,V ^T*^
came not often to the Meeting among them, *nd ^ •z;-^^^^^'^"
fpake only at the firft opening of the Commiffion, and
then declared openly his unacquaintednefs with what
was defign'djand therefore referr'd himfelf to Bi[hopSheU
ilcvy as fully inftrucfted by the King. He died /^w. 1664.
Bi(hop Morley -f of P^orcefter^ afterwards of PVinche^

fter.

* Twa Tajfagei concerning him defene a Remark. The firfi is related By
T)r. Bates in his Funeral Sermon for Mr. Baxter ; ^ti$ this : When the Lord
Chamberlain Manchefter told the King, while the ACh of Uniformity was un-
der debate. That he was afraid the Terms of it were fo rigid chat many
of the Minifters would not comply with it 5 he ref>lyd, I am afraid they
will. Nay, ^tis credibly reported he fijould fay, Now we know their Minds,
we'll make them all Knaves if they Conform. Whether his Temper was af-
terwards any Thing cooler, let others judge. Jt looks a little that Way, that
when his Nephew, Sir Jofeph Sheldon, whowas Lord- Mayor of London in 1676,
dejired his Advice about his ConduCl in the Tear of his Mayoralty-, he fl)oul<£
make him no other Anfwer than this : Confider, Coufin, that as I am
Arch-Bifliop of Canterbury, fo you are Lord-Mayor of London.

t The Spirit of this Prelate maybe eafily judg'^d of by any one that will Be
at tl)e Pains to read his Warm and Faffionate InyeUiye again/l A/r.Baxter, and
his Account to his People of Kedcrminfter, of the Caufe of his EjeHrment :
In which Invefiive, among many other Things, he with the utmofi Warmth
aferts, That Monarchy cannot confift without Epifcopacy : That he, at
Blfhop of Worcefler, was file and immediate Pafior of all the People in his
Diocefs : And that he who tho"* lawfully ordain d jhnuld preach to any Con-
gregation without the Blff)ops Llcenfe, came not in by the Door, and
therefore was a Thief and a Robber, ^c. But that he might afterwards^
upon feeing the fmall Succefs of the Eigours usd, grow fnmewhat more tem-
perate, I have fome Reafon to believe, from a particular Pajfage convey d
to me in fifch a Way, as that I have no doubt of the Truth of it • which was
this : Being confulted by the Mayor of a Country Corporation, whofe Zeal was
far beyond either his Wifdom or his Charity, what Method he ftiould take, ef-
feftualiy to root out the Fanaticks in the Year of his Mayoralty -, the Bi-
fhop now grswn old, firft preached Friendlinefs to liim, by ordering him a
Glafs of Canary, as oft as he ftarced his Queftion in Company ; and next
admoniflyd him when alone^ To let thofe People live quicciy, in many of
whom he was fatisfy'd there was the true fear of God j and who wei'C
not likely to be gain'd by Rigoui* and Severity,

172 The LI F E of Chap.VIIL

— ft 1 !L_

An. i66i.Jler^ was a frequent Attendant and the chief Speaker
of all the Bilhops, always delivering bis Mind with
great Earneftnefs and Zeal, and often interrupt-
ing; thofe of the other Side in their Difcourfe. He was
a Prime Manager of the whole Affair ; and unwilling
to yield to any Thing that might Jook like Modera-
tion. He was the longeft Liver of any. He died
j4n. 16S4.

Bilhop Cofmsof Durham metconftantly among them,

and was for Two Things very remarkable.

"^Dr.Bues ^^^^' ^°^ ^^^ being lb excellently vers'd in the C4*

i'« hilvum- ^''"■'' Councils and Fathers, which he appear* d to re-

ra/ Sermon rnemb?r Very readily, when there was Occafion for Ci-

/or^/r.Bax- tations. And

ter rrffrtf, Secondly for his Opennefs. For as he was of a Ru-
7 hat in the ftick Wir and Carriage, fo he would endure more Free-
Conference dom of Difconrfe, and was more Affable ajid familiar
at Wovze. than the reft of (he feiO^opi.*.
fter-Hoiife V

^^'wM/lc Kinor's Declaration, when the Mimfters deftred that the Bijhops
fhouUexerctie their ihunh Torrer with the Counfel and Confent of Fresby
^^ MI yt" ^'-^^^'^ ^^^^"^ prefent/y rcply'd, If Youv Majefty grant this, You
will Unbiniop Your Bi[l\op5,^But' remarkable is a Fafage in his Uft Hill
and Teflamtnr, primed b'^^th tn Enjjlifh and Latin vfith his Funeral Sermon
and Life. It defen-es tyuii/cribin<; from pa<r. I 26. I take it to be my Duty,
and of all my Brechrtti, tfpecially the Bilhops and Miniftersof theCliurch
of God, to da our iitmolt Endeavours, according to the Meaturc of
Grace which. is given to every one of us, that at U\\ an End may be pu:
ro the Differences of Religion, or ar leall ihey may be lelTen'd, &c.

Bifir.)p Jiir.chman^ then of Salisbury, afterwards of
LnNdon. had alfo a good Iniight into Fathers and Coun^
cils : Ht fpake calmly and flowly, and not very of-
ten, but was as high in his Principles and Refolutious
as any of them : And he with Bilhop Sheldon and Bilhop
t Mr. Morley^ manag'd all Things.
Pierce, in Bp Snndnfon f oiLincoln was there now and then, but
hii frj} fpake not often.His great Learning andWorth aj e known

-P/erf,/'. ^$.

faysy That he was feyere, and troubled long with a ff)arp Difeafe, which

might exafpcrate his Mind : And that he had a Roll of Minijiers under hii

Jlngrj Eye, defignd for Difipline ^ but when he drew nigh to hii latter

End, he commanded that Roll to be burnt, and faid he would die in

Feace.

hi

Chap. VIII. Mr. Richard Baxter. 1 7^

by hisLabours:K;^.His PreUHiones deOhligatione Confcieti- An. i66i
'/^,and De 'Juramento ; and his Sermons. He was very
Old at the Time of this Snvoy Conference,and partly thro'
Age,and partly thro* the remainingExafperation on the ac-
count of his Su{lerings,was a Jittle Peevilh. Afterwards ac
hisDeath,he made it bis Requeft, That the Ejeded Mi-
nifters might be us'd again : But his Requeft wasreje£led
by them that had outwitted him, as being too late. Bi-
Ihop Gauden was never abfent, and often fided with the
Minifters, and tho' he had a bitter Pen, he was the only
Moderator of all the Bilhops, except Bifiiop F{eignolds,
He meddled not in any Difpute or Point of Learning,
but had a calm, fluent, rhetorical Tongue, and if all had
been of his Mind, there had been an Accommodation ef-
fet^ed. But when by many Days Conference in the Be-
ginning, the Minifters had got fome moderating Concef-
fions from him, ( and from Bilhcp Cofms by his Means )
the reft came in the End, and broke them all. Bifliop
Lucy of St. David's, fpake once or twice a few Words
calmly, and fo did Bifliop Nicbolfon of Gloucefter^ and Bi-
(hop Griffythsoi St. ^japh, tho* no Commiflioners. Bilhop
King of Chichefter did not appear ; nor Bilhop I4^arner of
J^chefier^ except once or twice, and that without fpeak-
ing. Bilhop Laney* 0^ Pff^^^^o/o//^/^ was fometimes there,
but did not fpeak much. Once, however, he fpake too
much. For Mr. B^jcfcr charging the Epifcopal Impofitions
as Sinful, was accus'd of uncharitabJenefs and BolJnefs,
in that he thereby charg'd all theChurches of Chrift with
Sin. Mr. Baxter aiferted, That there were many reform-
ed Churches free from fuch Inipcfitions : but if there
were not, he tho't it no Arrogance or UncharitabJe-
nefs ro charge all the Church and World with Sin.
For that in many Things we offend all : And Freedom
from Sin, is the Priviledge of the Church Triumphant.
Biiliop Laney hereupon cry'd cut, ThrJ jultify'd Perjons

havs

* Mr, Piei'ce, In his firfi F/ea^ par. ^ 5. fay<^ Tliat tins Blfhop Laney
was very Moderate in his Government. In his Prime Fijitation before Bir-
tholomew-Day, he in his Chamber told of fome hi^Cler^ what he came about 5
and as thfp he could tPipe his Hands^ f'^'d, t^'x. iyvu.KXA\ijut.(^, Not I, but the
Law. And he could ( to ufe his ov?n Thrafe to a Scrupulous Terfon) look
thro' his Tinkers-, and f ufe r a worthy Nonconformill to Preach fublkkly -very
jfeat htm, for Jo me Tear:; together, after his Remore to another Bifhoprick.

174 The LIFE of Chap. VIII.

— -_. I -^ - - 11 ■-■ ■ 1 I- — ■ - -- - -I .11 —

An, l66i' haveno Sin^ nnd are no Sinners ^ hecaufejuftificationta-
keth it avpay. The Arguing of which, left him in no
fmall Confuflon.

Bifhop irulton ofCheJier^ (the Publiflier of the Pol;^
glot Bible) was there now and then, but fpake but fel-
dom. Bifhop Stern oiCarliJIe^ afterwaj-ds Arch-Bilhop
of Torky was of a moft fober, honeft, mortify'd Afpe^k,
but wanted Charity. For when Mr. Baxter was en-
treating the Bifhops not to caft out fo many in the Na-
tion^ as fcrupled a Ceremony which they confefs'd In-
different, he turn'd to the reft, and noted him for fayr
ing in the Nation: He will not fay in the Kingdom, faitli
he, leFf be own a Kjng» Mr. Baher made him no other
Reply but this: That half the Charity which became
fo Grave a Bi(hop, might have fuffic d to have help'd
him to a better Expofition of the word Kation^ fp
commonly us'd by Monarchical "Writers. , And that
their Cafe was fad, if after the taking the Oaths, and
being Honour'd by the King with fuch Teftimonies
as they had had, they muft when treating for Accom-
modation ftand expos'd to fuch invidious Refiec^ionl
as Traytors, without the leaft Ground. So that he
declares he was never more deceiv'd by a Man's Face in
his Life.

Bp. ^ignolds * fpakc much the firft Day, for bring-
: ing the reft to Abatements and Moderation; and af-
jj^^^^^J^ terwards he fate with the reft of the Bifhops, and fpake
Tl a par "^^ ^^^ ^^^" ^ qualifying and foftning Word. He
__ 'y^f^' was a confiderable Man, and of great Integrity ; but
That Bp! ^^^^^ Mildnefs, and excefs of timerous Reverence to
jLeigwlds great Men, altogether unfit to contend with them. He
carry 'd Dy'd An, l6y6.
the woundf

of the church in his Heart and Bowels to his Grave with him j as is well
known to many that knew him.

* Mr. Dri Earle *, who was afterwards Bifhop of Salis"
Pierce l,ury, Mt> Baxter remembers not to have feed
fbid.glyei there.
him this

Chara^er: That lie was a Man could do Good againft Evil, Forgive
much, and of a Charitable Heart ; and who Dy'd to the no great Sorrow
of them, who rcckon'd his Death was Juft, for Labouring With all his
Wight againft the Oxfari 5 jMile Aft, quicldy after it^

Mr;

Chap. VIII. Mr. Richard Baxter. 1 75

Mr. Thorndike fpake once a few Paflionate Words, -4«. 1661.
confuting the Opinion which ihe Minlfters had received
of him from his firft W'ritings, and con&iming that
which his fecond and laft Writings had given them of
him. Dr. HejHn and Dr. Barwkk^ did not appear.
Dr. Hacket (afterwards Bilhop of Coventry and Lich-
field) faid little. Neither did Dr, Sparrovp (afterwards
Biftiop of Norwich) fay much •' But what he did fpeak
was with Spirit enough for the Impofing and Dividing
Caufe,

Dr. Pierfon f afterwards Bifhop of C^e^erJ difputcd
accurately, foberly, and calmly, and procur d himfelf
a great deal of Refpec^: from the Minifters; and a Per-
fwafion, That if he had been Independent he would '

have been for Peace: And that if all had been in his
Power, it would have gone well. He was the Strength
and Honour of the Bifhops Caufe; but Mr. Baxter tho't
it dubious, whether he heartily maintain d it.

Dr, Gunning (afterwards Bi(bop of £/r) was their for-
wardeft and greateft Speaker. He f^uck at nothing.
When Dr. Bates urg'd it upon him, that on the fame
Reafons as they imposM the Crofs and Surplice, they
might bring in Holy Water, and Lights, and abun-
dance of fuch Ceremonies of i^fl??;c, which we havecaft
out : He anfwer'd Tes ; and fo I think we ought to have
more and not fewer, if we do well. He feem'd a Man
of greater Study and Induftry than any of them ; was
well read in Fathers and Councils, and of a ready
Tongue: But fo vehement for high impofing Principles,
and Church Pomp, and fo very eager and fervent in
his Difcourfe, that he often over-run himfelf. As for
the Commiffioners on the other fide, their Charader
may be feen in the other Volume.

At the Clofe of the laft Day it was agreed between
them, that nothing fhould be given in on either Side
to the King, as charg'd on the other fide, but what
fiiould be deliver'd in Writing : And that the Account
they (hould on each fide give Ihould be this; that they
were all agreed upon the Ends, the Churches Welfare,
Unity and Peace, and his Majefty*s Happinefs and
Contentment ; but after all their Debates were difa-
ereed of the Means 5 and this was the End of the Aflem-
&y and Commii^on,

Jhe

176

7he L IFE of Chap. VIII.

An. 1 55 1. The Difpute being ended, all the Minifl-eys that were

. . . CommifTioners met by themfclves, and rcfolv*d to draw

/?'^ '"/> "P ^ri Account of their Endeavours, and Prefentit to

on the Ktnr ^'^ Majefty, with a Petition for his promised help for

after

the
Conference.

thofe Alterations and Abatements, which they could
not procure of the Biftiops. They 6rft applyM them-
felves to the [Lord Chancellor, and crav'd his Favour
to procure the King's Declaration yet to be pafs'd into
an Adt, and his Advice how they fhould proceed. He
confented to their giving his Majefty an Account of
their Proceedings in an Addrefs, and when they had
drawn it up, Perus'd it ; and after fome Alterations it
was Prefented to his Majefty, by Bp. I{eignolds, Dr.
Bares, Dr. Manton, and Mr. Baxter, Mr. Calamy being
at this time indifpos d. In this Addrefs, after a Par-
ticular Account of their Proceedings, they thus ex-
prefs'd ihemfelves. — — • ' And tho* we feem to have la-
bour'd in Vain, we fhall yet lay this "Work of Recon-
ciliation and Peace at the Feet of your Majefty, Bc-
feeching you to Profecute fuch a Blelfed Refolution
till it attain Succefs. We muft needs Believe that
when your Majefty took our Confent to a Liturgy, to
be a Foundation that would infer our Concord, you
meant not that we fhould have no Concord but by Con-
fenting to this Liturgy, without any condderable Al-
teration. And when you Comforted us with your
Refolution to draw us together, by yielding on both
' Sides what we could, you meant not that we fhould
be the Boat, and they the Bank that muft not ftir.
And when your Majefty Commanded us by Letters
Patents to Treat about the needful Alterations, we reft
alTured that it was not your Senfe, ihat tender Con-
fcicnces were to be forc'd to Pradtice all which they
judg'd Unlawful, aini not have fo much as a Cere-
mony abated them : Or that our Treaty was only
to Convert cither Part to the Opinion of the others;
and that all our Hopes of Concord or Liberty conlifted
only in Difputing the Bilhops into Nonconformity,

or coming in every Ceremony to their Minds. As

your Majefty under God, is the Protection whereto
your People fly, and as the fame Neceflities ftill re-
main, which drew forth your Gracious Declaration,
we moft humbly and earneftly Befeech your Majefty,
that the Benefits of the faid Declaration may be con-

ciou'd

Chap. VIll. Mr. Richard Baxter. 177

* tinu'd to your People, and in Particular, that the^«. i^^i^

* Additions may be made to the Liturgy, that are

* therein Exprefled. We fha]l wait in Hope, that fo

* great a Calamity of your People, as would follow the

* lofs of fo many Able Faithful Minifters as rigorous

* Impofitions would caft out, fliall never be Recorded

* in the' Hiftory of your Reign : But that thefe Impedi-

* menrs of Concord being forborn. Your Kingdoms

* may F our ih in Piety and Peace, c^r.

But ail their entreaties avaiPd nothing to ward off
one of the grateft Calamities fom a (inful land and
Pe' p e. The\ fou^ihr Peace with the utnioft Earneft-
nefs, but were generally ente?tain'd with Reproach.
They were all Branded as ^igid Prabyte iavs^ tho'they
ne <r par up one Petition for Presbytery, but pl','aded
for Prim tive Epifcopacv. Tbc\ wert' reprefented in
the Comm n Talk of thofe who tho't it their Intereft
to be their Adverfa^ies, as the moft: fe -itious People in
the World, unworthy to be '-s'd like Men, or to enjoy
any Liberty. They coald not eo Abroad, b t they
met with daily Reproaches and falfcSt ries rais'd upon
them. 'Twas the conftant Cr- rha^ they were Plot-
ting, or fetrmg the People apainft the Governrrent.
For there were a MuUirude of Students at that time
who gap'd for Preferment, and many Gentlemen that
aim'd at tifing in the World, who quickly found out
what was moft pleafing to thole whofe Favonr they
muft rife by, and fo fet themfelves Induftrioufly to Re-
viling, Calummating, and Cruelty againft all thofe
who n the perceived to be Odious. And he that can
but Convince a World y Geherarion of any Thin^ that
is the readv w^v to their Prefermer^t, fliall be fure to
have it clofely follow'd, and thro'iy done with all their
mipht !

Many Worthy Minifters, and fo!^er Gentlemen and Vhe)'.
others, were imprifon'd in Divers Coanties throughout p^m P/ofi.
the Land, under a pretence of Plotting, in the latter •'^ He that
part of this Year *. In November^ one Mr. Ambrofe would pafs

• a Right

Judgment concerning the AlI of Uniformity^ ought fedately to conlider,
both the Scandalous Arts that were iis'd for obtaining it, and the bitter
Fruits and Confequences which i.producd. Of the latter, we fhall hear
eno' in the fequel of this Hiftory : But the former are not commonly,
known or minded. And therefore VI! add fome few Hints that are welt

173 The LI tE of Chap. VllL

ji». i66t' sparry (a Sober Learned Minifter that had never own'd
J, . the Parliaments Caufe or Wars, and was in his Judg-
C int:iin ^^^^ ^^^ Moderate Epifcopacy) had a wicked Neigh-
TaninrtoH ^^^^ whom he reprov'd for Adultery, who bearing hita
(a Man of ^ ^^rudge, tho'c he had now a time to be reveng'd. He
an ef!a- (or his Confederates for him) framed a Letter, as from
blilh'd Ke- a Namelefs Perlon, directed to Mr. Sparry^ Toat he and
piitatianj Captain Y SLinngton floould he ready with Mo)icy and Arms
did in

i68r, publifh a full Difcovery of the firft Presbyterian Sham Plot: In
which Difcovery he declares he related nothing but what he could prove
by Lct:erR, and many living WitntlTes^ and his Account was never pub-

lickiy contradiacd He lays, That many, both of the Cleigy and

Laity, difliking the King's Declaration concsmtng Eqckfiaftical Affairs,
rtfolv'd to run Thincrs to the utmoft hti^hc: And that ibmeof the Lead-
ing Church-iVlen were heard to lay. They would have an AEh fo framda-
vccuU reach every Furitan in the Kingdo?n: And that if they thot any o:
them rvould fo stretch their Confciences tvi to be eomprcheKded by it^ they
. ffftuld infert yH other Conditions and Subfcriptions^ Jo as that they fbould
have no Benefit by it. To pave the way for it, they contrive a Presbyterian
Flot^ which was laid in about 56 feveral Counties. As to Worcejierfhire^
he gives a like Account with Mr. Baxter, only with the Addition of ma-
ny l^jrticulars. He fays, Several Letters were drawn up and delivcr'd by

Sir yohn 2 10 one Rich. Ti his Neiglibour, to convey them to

One Cole of Martley, who with one Churn^ brings them again to Sir John

•P ■ from wliom they came, making Affidavit, That he found the Tackec

left by a Scotch Pedlar under a Hedge. In this Packet, when itwasopcn'd,
there were .found feveral Letters, difcovering a Confpiracy to raiiea Re-
bellion. There were feveral Letters to the Captain; one from Mr. Baxter
ot hidermin/hr^ iniimatjjig, That he had provid.d a confiderable Body of
Men Well arm'd, wliich fhould be ready againft the time appointed And
another from Mr. Sparry, indmating, He had order'd him 500/ lodg'd in
a Fritnd's hand, &c. Upon this, the Miliiia of the County was rais'd
immediately, and the City of Worccfier fill'd witJi them the very Night
after tlie P.icket was open'd. The next Morning the Captain was feiz'd
by a Troop of Hoife, and bro't Prifoncr to Worcefler; and fo alfo were
Mr Sparry^ Mr OJland, Mr. Afoor, and Mr. Brian, Minifters, together with ibme
Scoito of others They were allkept cloie Priionersfor 10 Days; by which
time the Tiainfd Binds being weary, moft of them were diftharg'd paying
their Fees But the Captain, Mr. Sparry, and the two OJlands, were ftill
kept c'o e Prifoners in the Geor^e-lnn, tlie Dignitaries of the Cathedral
taking care, when the Trained B-inds retired, to raife 60 Foot Soldiers
(wlv» liad double Pay, and were cnlled the Clergy-Band) to fccure thefe
Criminals. And belides the Sendnels upon each of die Prifoners, they
had A Court of Guard at the Town-Hall of WorceTler. There tiiey ptr-
form'd one remarkable Adt of Chivalry : A I'oor Man coming dut of the

4i

Chap. V[I[. Mr. Richard Baxitr. ^ 179

at the Time appoint. ■:'d^ avd that they fhould acquaint Country

iV/ . Olbnd and Air. Baxter with. it. This Letter fo enquire

he pretended a Man lefc behind hin-i under a Hedge, s^^i' th-

■vvho far down and puIFd out many Letters, and put ^"^^if-ie

all up again except this, and went awiy. He carried ^^ ^'-^'■^<^^'

the Letter to Sir Jnhi Prjc'-jngton (who was one p ^^f

that hotly foilow'd luch Work) Wno fciit Mr. S/^^tn^ |||^^.^^'^''*

Mr, OJIand. and Captain Tr.rnn^ton to Priion. Mr. Of- r,^'\ ^"
* •» ■' JUcaKing

CO one

of the So'dier.s, hi told him tiiai Mr. Ofland v;z? a Trayror and a Re-
bel, ^c. The Poor Man flood up for his Miniikr, and vindicated him ;
whereupon he was with great Zeql carried to the Court of Guard. He
that then pvefided there, ( who was no meanrr Man tlian an Appari-
tor ) commanded the Old Man to be ty'd Neck and Heels, cliaig'd
him with having a Hand in the Presbvterian Plot, and threatiied him
with feveie Ufage if he would not confefs. The Old Man bore hi?,
Wrath with great Patience, and gave liim not a Word in AniV/er : Upoa
which the Man in Authority was fo enrag'd, that he put lighted Mitci^ts
between his Fingers, and burnt them to the very Bone, to make V'lm
confefs. The Man was alive .when the Captain wro.e his Narrative, hv
Names him, and fays, T/j^f Multitudes rpere Witneffes nf the R^<f?, to
ipphom he appsatd. At length Mrs. Tarrington dilcovering tiie Sham
Intrigue, by the Acknowledgment which the Perfon employed by Sir jf.P.
to carry the Packet to Ode of Martley^ made to his Brother, flie gives
Notice of it ro her Husband in his Confinement, who immtdiattly tn tr3
Aftions againll thofe that imprifon'd him. Being at iaft difcharg'd, lie
comes up to London^ and prevaiPd wi-h the Lord of triftol fn acquaint
the King, how his Minifters irapos'd upon him Uich S iam Plot-?, ^c.
Upon this tlie Deputy-Lieutenants v/erc ordered to appear at the Councii-
Board. They endeavoured to clear rhemfelves, and delir'd to confult ihofe
in the Country. But afterwards Sir /. W. ( who was one of them )
Arrerts the Captain for High-Treafon, He was again releas'd upon the
Earl of Bri/iol'^ procuring the King's Privy-Seal : And going dawn inro
the Country lie profecutes his Profecutors. ^az within Six Months, Per-
fons were fuborn'd to Swear againft lum, That he had ffohen Trenfona-
hle Words aga'mfi the Kih^ and Gorefnment. For this he was try'd at the
Allizes at WoTcejicr before Judge Trvifden^ and upon a full Heaing was
prefendy Acquitted by the jury. And one of the WitnciTes (whom he
names) afterwards cdnfefs'd he had 5/. given him for being an Evi-
dence,

This feigned Plot was on foot in Oxfordp^lrc^ at the fame Time. A
Stranger came one Evening to Mr. Matthevr Martin^ the Town-Clerk,
with a Letter, and when he liad deliver'd it withdrevr. As foon as he
had open'd and confider'd it, he prefently carried it to the Mayor. The
ietLSr ran thus. Mf. Martin I pray you warn alt thcje Men to be in their

K i land

i8o The LIFE of Chap. VIII.

Arms on Innd was fuppofed therefore to have been bro'c in, bc-
Wednef- caufe he had offended Sir t{alph Clare, in being a-
diy ntxt gainft his Eledion as Burgefs in Parliament for the
tn the Town of Bexvdlci^ where, he liv'd. Many upon this
^^|^'^.>'^Occafion, cfpecially Mv. Spnrry^ Jay long in Prifon:
mj a ' ^j^^j when the Forgerv and Injury was detedled,
J^*^^ -^^^^ !f ^ they had much Difficulty in obtaining a Releafe.
mcH. There'^^^^ ^^* ^'^^^^^ "^vas nam' J there, yet he was then

TOPI I I ome

to Oxford Two Hundred Men all in their Arfns ; you hmvf who doth Cont'
mand them. Dr. Greenwood hath fent to Mr. Combs the Barber^ to get his
Tarty of Scholars nady that TiJijht. And I hare fent to Mr. Hickman t»
get his Men ready at the fame Time, And Dr C:3win has fent to Mr. Cor-
nifh to i^et hi< Men ready at the fame Time. And I have fent toDr. Cori-
nanghi to <^et his Men ready. And all the Sch'ilars are to meet In Dr. Ro-
gers'* Garden, 1 pray fend the B /under bujffs thither., for I intend to be there
vnyfelf. And I pray ^ire the Bearer hereof $ 1, out of the Stock .• And I pray
remomher me to the Six Men unnam'd. Fire Counties are to rife that Night
vithout fail I need rprite no more to you. The Word is^ God is the
Word, and pray teil them all fo. In this Letter there was a great Lift
o'l Nimts includtd. The Mayor of Oxford prefently difpatch d a Mef-
fcn^er with a Letter to the Lord Vaulkland liien Lord Lieutenant of the
County : And fent another Letter with the like Accoimt to the Recorder
of Oxford , one of their Members in Parliament, Crc. The next Day
two of the Deputy-Lieutcnr-nts ftnt for Mr. Martin, and threatned at firft
to commit him : But upvin ftcond Thoughts difmilTed him. And that
very Night many of the Mili ia came into the Town, and kept Guard
for two Days in the City. So that had not Mr. Martin taken fo prudent
a Method, had he tarried a Nighr, the Letter might have been found a-
boiit him, and Oxford had quickly been as full or fuller of Plotters and
Piifoners than Uocefier. At the fame Time Mr. Andrerv Parfons

wns us'd witii great Severity, and Try'd for preaching Treafon in Shrcp'
/Z»«>f, and bro't in Guilty : But by lb violent a wrtfting of Words, that
all the World crif d out Shame ; and the Lord NetPpvrt interpofing, pro-
cured the King-s Pardon for him. See Conformifls Fourth Plea for the Nm-
conf. pag. -^c. &c. There was fomething of a. like Sham Plot in Lei ce/let'
[hire and Tori/hire, Ibid. pa^. 59, 40. The Great Defign aim'd at by all
thcfc Me. hods, was to pofTefs the Parliament, that it was abiolutcly ne-
celTary to make a ^evere A(fV againft fucb a reftlcfs Sort of Men, who nor
contented with the King's Pardon, were always Plotting to difturb the
Government. And they reached their End. Thcfe Plots and Stirs in fe-
vf.ral Couniies of the Land, were in Ofhbcr and Korember i66t. And
on the 20th of November the King appearing in the Houfe after an Ad- ,
journment, made a Speech wherein are thcfe Words. — — —I am forry
fo find that_ the General Temper and Afeflion of tin: Nation are: not fo well

m

Chap. IX. Mr. Richard Baxter. i8i

in London, and had been fo for foir.e Time, by which cnmpDs\i as
he efcap'd ; And yet where Men were taken up and ^ '•"'/' "^ ^^>9
imprifon'd in diftant Counties, ic was fiid to be for ^^uUlbaye

B.I ATf^/'s Plot. heenyt^ter

jo ft nal
BlejfiHgs of
Cod Almighty upon m all, and after fo great Indulgence and Condcfcer.tiom
from me forwards all Interefis ; there are many wicked Injlruments flill ns
ulCliye' as e\er^ who labour Night and Day to aifturb tie Fubllck Teace,
and to make People jealous of each other : It may be worthy your Care and
Vigilance to provide proper Remedies for Dijeafes of that Kind : And if you
find new Difeafes^ yf'U mufi find new Remedies, die When the Houie of
Commons after this Speech came to their Debates, tip flands Sir /. P.
one of the Knights for Wone/terfhire^ and with open Mou:h informs them
of a Dangerous Presbyterian Plot on foot ; and that many of the Chief
■ Confpirators were now in Prifon at W'orcejierjhire- 1 he like- Informaiioa
was given by fome Members who ferv'd for Oxfordjhire, Herefordjhire^
Staford/hire^ and other Places. Nay this was the General Cry ; this all
the Pamphlets printed at that Time ran upon. And 'twas in this very
Seffions that this Bill of Uniformity pafs'd the Houfe. And that the Gene-
ral Cry occafion'd by thefe Sham Plots much promoted ir, will eafily be
be judg'd by any one, that will but be at the Pains to perufe Tarringtons
Narrative, to which the Reader is referr'd for Satisfattion.

C H A P. IX.

The rM of Vniformiiy ^ and Re&Miouf tw- ."^[-^''^^

A if C- '-^- i 1/ . ^ .fpcakinr of

. Ohf It : ^nf!cl the njccting dn;i :nkncj?7g oj this DecU-
many won by P erf 0/2 s by It. *"'*^"'« ''»

" hli Sermo^

^ "^ Ocwithftanding alkheirDifcouragements Mr. Cc- \^^^^'j: ^^"
j^^ /^is-^jy and fooie other Minilters, ftiJl made ufe ^^Z Z*"^'
^ of what Interelt they had 10 Men of Note and jl\t /j,'

Figure, co get the Paiiiainenc to pafs the Kings DscU- ,^ranted
r.^tlon into a Law; aiid lometimes the Lord C ha n- y^f /; 4 frcc-
ceJloar and ethers ga' e them fome Hope : But when dom to Con-
ic came to the Tryal chey were difappointed ; it was fdentious
rejecfted *. And fo the Declaration did nbc only die Minifiers

that were
unfatisfyd with the Old Conformity^ that if it had been obfcry'd, ;> had pre-
rented the doleful Vlvifon ihut fucceedccl afterward. But when there was a
Motion made in the Houfe of Commons that it might pafsintoan Ail, it wa^
oppos'd by one of the Secretartes of S^tate^ which was reckon'd a fvffcimt Indi-
Ciition of the Kjng''s Ay^rfenffs to ii,

N 3 before

i82 li,e Llbh of Chap. IX.

before It came to Hxecution, but ail Attempts for U-

nion and Peace "were at an End. Nay, a rigorous

A(5l was bro't in for Uniformiiy, clogg'd on Dcfign

to make the Weighi of Conif'rmicy heavier than e-

ver. Reafoning, Petitions and Hntreaties back'd with

ever {o many weighty Confidcrations, were dilVegard-

ed as vain Things. It fecmM to be accounted the

One Thing Neceflai^' by thofe who had gotten the

Reins in their Hands ; a Thing fo necelfary that no

Realon muft be heard againft it, that thofe call'd

Piesbyrciir.ns *muft be forc'd to do

^* A JXpthary of the Church that which they accounted pub-

^j/^.n.^ud, a Man of Note and ji^-jj Perjury, or be caft out of

^ure ^hen a jUcr Gcntlc:r.a.n Xrufl and Office, boib in Church

fh.^dfo-^.'Re^^rn that the l>oor and Common-wealth. While this

vai '^n ffratt-, tlMt many cber a o , j- ^\, xt- -n

Af'iifjfforc ^. u ^.. ' .. a'!i t -^^l was depending, the Minifters
/f-tni/ters eouia not pave Admih n li • r t i i y-v

/"^ repUed, It was no Pity at ^'^^ mterpufing as they had Op-
aH; if we had tho'c fo mnnv pommity, bad peremptory Pro-
^''th<»ni uroald have ConfomVd "^^^^^ guen them by feme in great
w? vyould have made ic ilia;ter. Piaccs, that the King would grant:

that by Way of Indulgence, which

had been denied them in the Way they moft delir'd it ;

and that Care ihould be taken before the Acl: pafs'd,

that the King Ih^uld have Power referv'd to him, to

difpenfe with it as to fjch as deferv'd well of him at

his Reftoration, or whom he pleas'd. But at length the

AQi pafs'd the Houfe t> and ali

i It's generally /aid it n^as car- their great Friends left them in the

*ifd but byyery fevfFotes : And Lurch. And when afterwards

t'nat fome yvhovPere a;:atnj} Itvere they, upon the Utmofl EncOUrage-

ii'p^^from the Hoiifc by Stratagem, incnc from Men in Power, had

drawn up a Petition to prefent to
his Majefty for Indulgence, they were grievnufly
thrcaten'd with incurring a Pra:mnnire by fo bold an
Aftempr, tho' they had worked their Pcririon fo Caiire-
louily that it extended not to the Papifts. This Rigo-
rous Adl X^ when it paffed, gave
.i Dr. Bates in his Sermon at ail the Minifteis, who could not
^jr. B;ixcer'j FiA^era/, fpeakin'rof conform, no longer TitTie than 'till
thi4 4^1 f:y<^ That theo/dc/er.'y J^^yti^oloymrv D/rr, Augufi the 24th
jromHrahandK..en::e andthe j ^^ ^^en they Were all Caft
ViUn'T Gentry rom their Jtrvi/e \i 1 u r\ « •> u •

Co.np)ia.,er.iththeiounjre.ery ^"^- ^/^^^ V' ^ ' ' c''' '

^cliy.t'^i^rryon^ndcomt^U.uit. "^"^^ Gladnefs to fomc, and Sor-
'^ ' row to others, and occauon d many,

»p4

Chap. IX. Mr. Richard Baxter. i8^

and thofe very different Refledlions. Among the reft, ^«. i<55i.
there was a Remark made by a Man of Note, which I
cannot pafs by : Had nil the Miniftcrs (faid he) Con-
form d^ People would have thot there was nothing in I{e^
ligion ; dnd that it was only a Thing to he tailed of in the
Pulpit^ and fervs a State Defign ; while the Minifters
turnd and Chang'd any H^ay with the State : But th»fe
Js/len ghing up their Livings^ and expofing themfelvcs
and Familiei' to outward Evils, rather than they would
conform to Things imposed ^ not agreeable (as they apprehend-
ed ) to the Go/pel "they preach"* dy have convinci Men^
there k a Ideality in I^ligion^ and given a Check, to Atheifm.
This Acl of Vniforniity which made fuch an Altera-
tion in all Parts of the Land, by ejedting fo many va-
luable and afefulPerfons, (of whom a more particular
and diftin(5l Account is now given in a feparate Vo-
lume) was paft in an Heat, but its EffecSls have been
lading. Perfonal Piques too mu h influenced feverai ^c ^],^
of the moft zealous Promoters of it: But ^o{\ti\iy,con:pilerof
when Pafiion and Prejudice come once to be worn out, the -^dJol.
will rue the Confequence. Some have applauded it as of the
Heroical : But it was a Prologue to a Tragedy, that Complete
has not yet reach'd its final Period. Others have a^- Hiftory of
tempted to vindicate it*: But it would be hard to do England,

^ 236.

freaking of the Aft for Uniformity, fays^ it was found neceflavy for the

Peace and Safety of the State, as well as for the Good and Glory of

the Church. As for the Peace and Safety of the Stale, Hok? did thefe Mi-

nijien indanger it ? Many of them had fujfer'd for the King^ and ontxibuicd

all that in them lay to his Refauration : They <renerally received him vrnh

great Joy-, and center d in him ^ and rcanted hut Lib' rty of Confcicnce,

to make them^ and all that they could influence as chearful and dutiful Sub-

\eth as any in the Land. Had it not been for fufb fhame Tlot>^ a^ tJ/ut of

Captain Y2.rnngton. mentioned before.^ there had been no tho^t of Danger^ to

the Pubiick Peace or Safety; fuch an Awe and Reftraint ai he fpenhs of,

could not hare appeared upon any Account Expedient. J^ut its hard when

Men fet their Wits on Work to make Necejjities^ that they may hare fomething

of an Excufe to bear hard on others whom they bear lll-tvill unto, to anjrver

thofe NeceJJities. And as for the Church »f t/^/i w^J for its Good,! knovf not

what would have been to its Damage : if this were for its Glory, It would

he hard to fay what would ha-ve been a Vi [grace to it. To his Judgment^

til oppofe that of Mr. Pierce (which is not the lefs to be rez^arded for his not

hein'r a Dignitary) who fays, I think that common Chriftiani:y hath fuf-

fer'd much",by their Silencing and Difparagemenc. Preface to theConformiJi's

J^lea for the Nonconformi/is^ Part i,

N 4 it

184 The LI Ft of Chap. IX.

it upon Scripcural Principles. Having Reafon ro reckon
my lelf a Confiderablc SufFtre^ by it, tho* not ihen
to'"n, I hope 1 may without Offence, drop a Tear,
upon the Remembrance of the Funerals of fo many
VVo:ihics in nur I/faei\ who were buried at once in a
common Grave.

Tbc'v wrrc not a poor inconfiderable Handful, a few
Scores only of ac eprable and ufcful Minifters, who
wcjc by this Adt caft ou: of the Church, but many
Hundreds. They did not throw themfelvesout of Scr-
^ vice, but were forcibly ejc^l-'d. They begg'd for Con-
tiniiancc with all imaginable Earneftneis, and urg'd
uranfwerable Ar^u;nents m their Petition for Peace, but
were repuls'd. They were not caft out becaufe not
needed ro carry on the Work of the Gofpel in the
Land : For there were, and ftill are among us many
defolaie Quartets, that are over-run with Ignorance
and Pri fanenefs : And there was more to be done in
Order to general Inftrudtion, Excitation and Reforma-
tion, than all their joint Labours would have fully fuf-
fic'd for ; and yet they were eje£led. This was an
A6lion without a Precedent ; the like to which the Re-
formed Church, nay the Chriftian World ne\er fa\y
before.

In the Ancient Adrian Perfccutions many Scores of
faidifiii Orthodox Publifhers of the S^erlafting Gof-
pel wer« Slain atid Baniflrd : In this Cafe Two Thou-
ifand at once had their Mouths ftopp'd even whilft they
were alive, and were doonvd to Silence in their own
Na'i e Country, and thar by, their Brethren, tho'
thrir Labours were call'd for, and earnelHy defir'd.
*Twas heretofore rcckon'd a moft horrid Thing, and
drew Tragical Exclarnations from fucceeding Hifto-
rians, rhar between Three and Four Score Bilhops
(h uld be fent at once into the Ifle of S^ndinia by the
/ifiicnn V<^njnli : And fo it really was, becaufe they
wne hereby banifli'd from their Flocks, which was an
alTed:ing ^ hin^, notwithftan<ling thev had the Liberty
of their Tongnts and Pens ftill hfr them : But in this
CiCc Thirty Times as many were feparated from their
JovinR and beloved Flocks, and that by thofe with
whom ihpy join'd in Profellinej the fame Orthodo:^:
Fi th ; and tho' they were fnffer'd to remain in the
Land where they w^re born and bred, they were yet

turned

Chap. IX. Mr Richard Baxter. / 185

turnM into fo many Mutes, and laid afide as ufeL-fs
Perfons. I have read of Two Hundred Minifters who
j^nm 1549, were ban Ih'd by Ferdinand King of Bo-..
hernia ; and of gnat Havock made am ng the Mini-
fters of Germany a few Years afrer bv the Imperial In-
terim: But both pur together fej- far fliort of this Cele-
brated Ad:, not onl\ as to the Number of Perfons con-
cern'd, but alf" as to the fucceeding Hard (hips which the
Minilters fell under. For in both thefe Cafes they had
Liberty to preach ihe G fpel elfewhere. But here was
one Clog added to another, that the Embanafmenc
might be rhe greater : So f hat rhe filencM Mini'^.ers had
no room left for any Sort of Uf fulnefs any where, but
were buried alive. There was a Gap made in this our
Land, upon the Settlement of the Pr Jteftanr Religion,
in the room of the Papal Superftition : But it was no-
thing comparable to that which was made among us
upon the refettling of Diocefan Epifcopacy. Formerly
tnere were Eighty Rectors of Churches, Fift y Preben-
daries, Fifteen Matters of Colledges, Twelve Arch-
Deacons, Twelve Deans, and Six Abbots and Abbefles
ejedted Bur how much better were they fpar'd, than
Two Thoufand preaching Minifters, who were un-
wearied in their Endeavours to fpread Knowledge,
Faith and Holinefs? The Tendernefs us'd towards
thofe of the former Sort, to remove all Grounds of Scru-
ple or Difguft, that they might be tempted into the Na-
tional Eflabliniment, is evident and obvious : But I
need not ask whether the poor Nonconformifts met
with the like Treatment. Upon the obftinate Refufal
of the Former to comply, they were ejedied, and the
Safety of the State required it, becaufe they own'd a
Foreign Head. But the latter were cart out by Men of
the fame Faith, meerly becaufe they differed in Things
own d to be Extra-elTentiaJ, and deftitute of any In-
trinfick Goodnefs. After all, the former were treated
with great Lenity and Mildnefs, as long as they liv'd
quietly, and aim*d no higher than the Private Liberty
of their Sentiment and Way ; But were the Noncon-
fornaifts worthy of any fuch Favour ? or rather were
they not opprefs'd to the utmoft, on Purpofe that they
might be driven to make an Intereft for fuch a Tolera-
tion, as fcould open a Door to the common Enemy ?

1 86 Ihe LILE of Chap. IX.

I know it has been pleaded that the PuricanicaJ Party
fet the Partem, by bearing fo hard on the Seqiieftrei
MiniOers in the Parliament Times. But whatever that
Patern was, we muft go father backward for the Ori-
ginal ; and yet neither would I thence pretend to jufti-
^ he any rigorous Methods, which Chriftianity does nei-

^ ,'^. tlier require nor al'ow. But certainly they who fo
' ^ 0 he "^"^^ exclaimed againft them, llioujd better have knovon
is taken ^^'^ Hat of a Stranger^ than to have imitated, much
from the '^^^ ^^^ doDQ them, in Ej^ding a Number fo very
Ordinance ^^^ Superiour ; without any Allowance towards their
of Farlia- Support out of the Lfvings whence rhey were eje-
jwcKto/Au-c!iled, when as the Pashamen: allotred a FifthPart to
gaft 2g. rhofe who were fequeftred, whatever were the Caufe ;
J645. /oj-Yea, tho' it were Infufficiency or Scandal. Many
ffcewioreef-Xhings were done in the Parliament-Times, which
/ft-?»4//'Mt-j.jjQjg ^Yio were Agents in them, liv'd afterwards long
tin^ '"^^'^'eno' to fee Reafon to wifh undone : but yet when Mat-
ly •'^ft '^ ^^^^ v^erc at the utrnoft Heigbth, many Epifcopai Pej-
forPullick ^'^"^ ^^P^ ''^^^^'^ Places ; Things in their own Nature in-
iitrfhip dirfcrent, and acknowledged to be fuch, were not
&c the* Grounds of iilencing and driving into Corners ; nor
Tuifortof were the ftifFeft of the high Church Party ^ ( Gunning
j>tPrt5,tW and others of his ftamp) denied their Liberty, provided
jW»/4«>they gave the Publick, Security of their good Beha-
Terfon or viour * '. The fame Treatment as they had given to q-

Trrforts

vhatjheyer^ fhould at any Time or Times aftpvwards^ iifc the Book of Com-
jnon prayer, or caufc it to be usd^ in any Churchy Chappel^ or Fublick Tlace
of a orffjtp^ or in any priratc jP/ace or Van:ily -^ that eyery Ferfon fo of endings
fljould for the firf Of ence forfeit and pay the Sum of 5 1. of Lav^ful Englifh
Money ^ for hU fecond Offence the Sum 0/ I o 1 ; and for the Third Offence fljou/d
fifff'er me j^ho/eTcara Imprifonmcnt, without Bail or Mainprife. Er^fy Mini-
fcr that did not ufc the Dir^rtoiy, n-a^ for erery Time that he did offend, to
forfeit the Sum of 40 S. ^nd any that fljould Preach, Write, ox Print, or
caufe to be Uritten or Printed, any Thing in the Derogation or Vepraying of the
tU fuid Book, fhould forfeit for eyery fuch Offence, fuch a Sum of liloney,
as p)ould at the Time of his Conyifli"n be t})Ou;rht fit to be imposed up-
OP him, by thoje before whom he was tryd ;, Proyidcd it WM not lefs than J I.
and mt excefdinr^ the Sum of «;o I. And all fuch Tines were ordered to go to
the Ufc ^f the Poor. Ti/is Ordinance is 1 confefs an Eyidence, of what is too
plain to be denied, that all Parties when they have been uppermojl, hayc been
too apt to bear hard on thofe tUat haye been under them. But it deferyes a
V'-marl^ that <■>•?>? by thii Qrdintnce as ferere as it was, no Encouragement

thefs

Chap. IX. Mr. Richard Baxter. 187

others, would by many who liv'd in thofe Times have was giyen
been reckon'd highly favourable, if compared with ^^ werce-
what they actually met with . And whereas fome have ^/^O ^"'
urg d the Treatment of the Epifcopal Party in Scotland, ^'""^^" •* ,
after King ff^illiani's happy Afcent to the Throne, in a f^ ^'^^
Way of Vindication of their Carriage to thofe of the^-p^'^"
oppofite Stamp after Kine C/;/:?7ej"s Reft an ration, it b j \.r! ^^'%
Jett t(i any rerlons to judge, whether there be any accordinr
Thing Parallel in the Two Cafes, if it be but confiderM to this Or-
that notwithftanding Presbytery is thi^ Government efta- dinance
blilh'd by Law in kotlnnd^ as much as Epijcnpncy is in were yery
EngUnd, yet upon their late Settlement, the Epifcopal /^w' •• I
Minifters there ( excepting fuch as were notorioufly wip) /
Scandalous, or had Livings from which Presbyteriar. Mi ^^i^^d fay
nifters who were then Living had been ejedted) were .^'^^^
allow'd the Enjoyment of their Places during Life, up *"^^'»'''y?'^
on no harder a Condition than that of taking the Oaths J ^f ."^
to the Civil Government. And many fuch are conti- ^-^ "^-[j^'
nu'd in their Livings there without Moleltarion, to t^is Fiye\ni/e
very Day; Aa,' and

the ACl a-
^aifift Coftvettticles, which were pafsd againfi the Nonconformijis after tlic
Keftauration.

But to Return; had thefe ejedled Minifters, who
were fo hardly dealt with, been either univerfally or
generally. Enemies of all Order and Regularity, it had
been much more tolerable : "When as there was fo far
from any juft Ground for fuch an Infinuation, that
a Regular Difcipline was what they pleaded for, and
moderate Epifcopacy was what moft of them would
have freely fubmitted to. Whofoever have charged
them as fond of Anarchy and Confufion, knew not the
Men or their Communication, Arch-Bifhop V/her's
Platform (befoi'e exhibited, Pag, 145.) they would have
rejolc'd in ; with a due Indulgence to thofe of their Bre-
thren, whofe Latitude was not fo great as theirs. Had
they however been loofe in their Morals, or fcandalous
in their Lives, their Treatment it mufl: be own'd might
have been fairly juftify'd : But fo far were they from that,
that they were as Exemplary for ftridnefs as any in the
Land. Had they been meanly qualify'd for the Minifte-
lial Work, the Church might have much the better
fpaj:*d them : But inftead of that, we may fafely de-

iie

'i88 ' The L I F E of Chap. IX.

iie their grcateft Enemies to produce in any Age or
Country, Two Tbouiand Men barter quaiif .'d for
Publick Minifterial Work, and more oiligent and
laborious in it, more accepted anci n. re ufefuj, than
thefe very Perfons who were Cloarh'd w h fo much
Contempt. Few Ages has tr^iluc't^ moie Eminent,
Ufefuj, Succefsful, Preachers, than Mr. 8^.xt:.r pf l^e*
derminftcr^ lAv.Bjvohs oiToli, Mr. a.ivcjw? of Vfin-
chffilsr^ tAr. I{syner of Lincoln, Mr. EtkandJj ll'nlcs^ Mr.
Hleron of Brsadftl^ Mr. An^ier of Derttnr,^ Mr. H.ghtS
of Plymouth^ Mr. Ben of Dn^cheslc^ Dr. Mtnton of
London^yix. All?n o^Tnuntov^ with rtiany ^ ihcrs. Bvii;
perhaps ihey were intolerably Humourfome. This
i know hath been faid by fi me. But <vhy flioulu it be
imagin'd, that for Humourfake they (hojld Sacrifice
their all, part with their Livelvhood, and expofe
themfelves and their Families to Wane and Beggary?
Was not a comfortable I ife as de(ir;.abje to them
as to others? Can it be fuppos'd, thcv were fo Blind
as not to be able to fee where their own Intereft lay^
whi h is too powerful a Charm for th** moft to be able
to make Reliftance? Were they no- as capable of Pre-
ferments as their Neighbours ? AnJ why rhen (hould
they baulk them, and rather embrace ' o-erty and Dif-
grace, and expofe themfelves to Hardlhips and Severi-
ties, Things that could not m themft-lves appear Eligi-
ble ro any Man? Can any Account be given of this, if
C^nfcience did n )t fway them? And lliojld they not
then have been confider'd ?

Or fuppofe, that fome in fo great a Number were
weak, and of buc mean Endowments, there yet were
others of conliderable Parts and Learning; Witnefs
Dr. Bntes^ Dr. Qwew, Mr. Corbet^ Mr. PVoodbridge^
ls\v. Charmck^y Mr. FnifaXy lAx- Pool, Mr. CAjr/^pw,
Mr. Trutmr:^ and many others. If fop:^e had been too
rigorous and fevere in former Times, ihere were others
who had all along managed themfelves with great Tem-
per and lenity; as Dr. G/';?/w, Dr. Gr^ip, Mr. fa;?-
clough. Father and Sons, Mr. lVa>ren, Mr. Ventrk of
Canterbury, Mr. Philip Henry^ and many others. And
tho' fome it muft be own*d, were againft the Royal
Family, there yet were others who fuifcr'd for adhering
to it ; as the Lancafhire Minifters who wetc many of
them Ejedtd for refufing tnd writing agai^ift the En^

gngmcnt^

Chsp, IX. Mr. Richard Baxter. 189

gagcwenty even when many of the Epifcopal Party
took it; and Mr. CojA., Mr. Kjrbyy and Mr.Ha-.rifov^
8cc. who hazarded their Lives in Order to the bring-
ing in King Charles II. And yet this Ad: made no
Difference. It fpar'd neiiher Age nor Parts, nor con-
(iderM any Service done, but levell'd all that lay in its
way; and fpake no other Language than either bow
or break. Had it ain\'d at hindring the doing Mif-
chief only, it might have been Vindicated: But under
pretence of that, ithindred the doing Good, and that
to many ; to Hundreds and Thoufands of Souls; by
Men whofe Hearts were earneftly bent that way, and
defir'd not to live for any lower Purpofe. Mult we not
think that Piety was little fet by, when grave and ex-
pericnc'd Guides muft be forc'd to quit the Churches,
to make way for Raw unfurniOi'd Novices ; when Men
full of Love to God, and the Souls of their People,
muft yield to fuch as minded Preferment more than
real Religion ? God forbid, this (hould have been tht*
Cafe generally : But that it was fo in many Particular
Inftances is too notorious to be deny'd. Muft we nor
fay, that Mercy forfook the Earth, when fo many of
Liberal Education, were put to Dig, orBep, or Starve?
Were cafl out of their Freeholds to Fence againft Fu-
ture Crimes.^ Were turn'd inio the wide World with-
out any Vifiblc Way of Subfiftcnce? Any Thing that
might have tended to their Relief or Ea'fe was rejected
as unfufferable. They were not only excluded Prefer-
tnems, but cut off from all hope of a Lively-hood, as
far as the InduOry and Craft of iheir Adverfaries could
reach. Not fo much as a Poor Vicarid^e, not a Blind
Chapel, not a Schod was left them : Nay, tho' they
offer'd (as feme of them did) to Preach for nothing,
it muft not be allowed them. They only beg'd I iberiy
of Confcience, to Preach and Woifliip God, according
to the Primitive Rule and Simplicity, and that they
m.ight not be Ejeded and Excommunicared, and forced
to beg their Bread, becaufe they could not confcnt to
what they could not Believe, nor Vow againft their
Duty. But they they were caft off with Difdain.
And what was all this for, but to promote Vniformiry ^
A charming PVord! ^ For the Thing itfelf is yet to be
fo'c for, even among themfelves, by any one that know?
the Difference between Cathedrals and Parilh Churches)

A

1 90 The Lift of Chap, i X.

A iVord tliar muft necelTariJy ha' e a peculiar Force,
when it coulJ have fo ftrange an Infiuence ! Bur ccr--
tainly, 'cis an odd Meihod to ^o about to make all of
one Mina, and Mode, and Way, by rending, divi-
ding, md tearing Mmiftefsand Peoplel Its but an Ov d
foTX.0^ Vniform.ty^ that hinders 'L'/i;Vy, by turning the
Church into a Party 1 , What was the Aim of all, bnc
to fettle l'?ip(fitlons r Which in all Ages have been gree-
dily fwallow'd by Mea of loofer Principles, while they
have been fnares to the moft Confcicntioiis; wlio will
look carefully about them, and arc not for wr ggling
themfelves either in or out by Diftindlions and Evali-
ons, (which yet they were as able to have fraoa'd as their
Neighbours) but would do all in Siniplicity and Godly
Sincerity, without Equivocations or Referves There-
by endeavouring to maintain and fpread a Principle of'
Honefty in the World.

The Publick Settlement not being closed with, a
general Clamour was rals'd againft thefe good Men,
■whole Defire itwastoferve God faithfully, and Live
quietly by their Neighbours, as if they were hoc to be
fuffer'd to live upon the Earth. What was their Crime?
Surely nothing that God had declared to be Sin ; no-
thing but what was made a Crime by the Law of the
State; and would therefore ceafe to be fuch at auy
Time, when that Law was rcmo.M: Nothing but
what might have been fafely tolerated, without Da-
mage or Danger to Church or Commonwealth, as ap-
pears by the Event lince a Legal Indulgence hath been
granted them. But if refuting to Conform to ^jch Im-
pofirions as d'd not appear to be within the Compafs of
rhe Commilfion of the Impofers was really Criminal,
it could not be fo in a very high Degree .- And where-
fore then was the Punifhment lo great ? Would it be
Wifdom in the Government to threaten all thole that
would not eat Rye-bread, all that would not Ccnfonn
lo any Common Falhion, with being Impiifond or Ba-
nifhedJ Should Mens Brains be knock'd out to kill a
Flie on their Fore- head ? Is this agreeable to the Rules
of Proportion? h it equitable, that for fuch Th'ngs as
however Faulty they may be, may yet leave a Man a
good Chriftian, and one of the belt of Su^jedls, he
fliO''ld be treated as if he had forfeited the Priviledges
of his Birth, aqd his Imerefl in the Rights of Chriftiani-.

Chap. [K. A/r. K chara Bixc r.

>'

ty, nay, and H manity too? But inftead of yielding
their Practice to be at all Crimnal, it appear'd to rhem
CO be their Duty. They thought witnelling againft Hu-
mane Ufurpations in Divine Things was a piece of nc-
ceirary Fidelity to God. They apprehended the Law
of God obiig'd them to prcfervc the Purity of Cfariftian
"Worfhip. Suppofe they were miftaken in the Particu-
lar Application of this General Principle, did they there-
upon deferve to be puniflVd, as if they had raz'd and
deny'd the moft Fundamental Articles of Faith ? Was
Poverty and Contempt, Confifcation and Impnfonment,
Kipour and Severity, the fitteft, or likelieit Means for
cheu- Conviction, or not rather a Snare to betray them
to A (ft againft their Confcience? Did the Chriftian
Doctrine obtain in the World by thofe Ways and Me-
thods which were pitcht on for the fixing and feeling of
Vniformity r* Was it agreeable to Chriftian Charity to
make the Terms ftrait on Purpofe that they might be
fcrupled, and then blame Men for their Non compliance?
Or to cafl them out of the Church, and then Excom-
municate them for their Abfence ? Was it good Policy
in a New Settlement after Confuiion, to difoblige and
exafperate a Body of as fober Perfons as any in the Land,
who are really its Strength, in order to the gratifying
the loofer Sort, whofe Principles and Practices weaken
the Bands of Government, and open a gap for Confu-
iion ? Or was it the moft likely Way to keep ov;t Po-
peiy^ to weaken the Hands of a Number of its hearty
confcientious Adverfaries, and Sacrifice them to the Kage
of the Emiflaries of ^mc^ who therefore fet themfehes
moft againft them, becaiife they had no hopes of ever
inducing them to any Thing that Ihould look like an
Advance towards the I{omnn See, or a Revolt to a Fo-
reign Jurifdidion ; to which fome of their Brethren ap-
pear'd much more inclineable ? Again; did the Adors
in this Affair do as they would be done by ? Did they
not bitterly complain in the Time of the Interregnum
of the Severity of their Treatment; and that when
they could not but be confcious to themfelves of much
greater Severity on their Part towards their Brethren
formerly, in the High Commiffion Court, C?c. when
they bad the Power in their Hands ? h is but Uks for
/%, was a Plea in the Mouth of all forward Peifons?
But was not the Score paid before-hand by the Rigor of

192 The LIFE of Chap. IX.

King Charles the Firft's Reign (to look no farther back)
in Ecclefiaftical Matters? And is it a becoming Thing,
to have fo many ufeful Perfons avowedly facrific'd to
Re enge r Is this Paflion fo riveted, as to be become He-
red itary ? Does it run in the Blood, and defcend with
the Patrimony, as a necelTary Attendant of that clear
And uninterrupted Ecclefiafiical S uccjfion, thzt is, by feme fo
much Celebrated ? It cannot indeed be deny'd, but that
all Parties among us when they have had the Afcendanc^
have born too hard upon tbofe who lay at their Mer-
cy : And it is much to be lamenteJ. But is fuch Here-
ditary Revenge as H-'innibal's, who was fworn at the
Altar never to be Reconcil'd. a Thing agreeable to Chri-
ftian Principles, or becoming any Embafladors of the
Prince of Ptace?

But I cannot yet leave thefe Confejjors, I move it to
the Reader to view the Lift of them, obferving what
manner of Men they were, who were the Triumphs and
Spoils cf Vniformity. They were Men that would have
been highly efteem'd and honour'd in the Primitive
Church, for which they who bore fo hard upon them
profefs fo great a Veneration. They were Men of great
Faith and Truft in God, and by their Integrity (ilenc'd
many that apprehended Religion a Fancy. They re-
joic'd in theUfefolnefs of their Brethren, while they
themfelves were Difcountenanc'd. They Prayed hear-
. tily for their Civil Governours, and all in Authori'^^y,
while treated as Seditious Perfons, and unworthy of any
Favour. They were own'd of God in all their Trou-
ble*, carry'd rhrough a great many Difficulties, gained
upon many of. heir Enemies by their Patience and Quiet-
nefs, and at laft were taken under the Prote(^ion of the
Government.

The Generality of them were Ejected in the moft
nfefnl Part ( f their Lives, when they were fitteft for
Service; betweenrhe Age of Thirty and Fifty. In their
Private Mmirtration*; they did good to the Sonls of ma-
ny ; this (Blrlfed be God) is too evident to be deny'd :
How much good then might they have done, if they
had but been kept within the Publick National Efta-
blilhment? And to whom muft the Land afcnbethe Jofs .
of their valuable Labours, but to the eager Efpoufers
,of Rites and Ceremonies? What was the IlTue of the
heat ot tliele Zealots? Did they gam their Point, and

Chap. iK. Mr Kichard Baxter. 195

fix Uniformity ? Or did they not rather run Things to
that heighthj that Prophancnefs had at length over-run
us, and All that was dear and val able to us was in
Danger, when bare-fac'd l-'opery afc^-nded the Throne^
trampling at once on our Religion c^nd Liberties ?" And
was ic not then freely own'd.. that Papifts in Difguifc
harl all along blow'd the Gals, and done he hotteft
Part of the Service? Can rhisever be forgot?' Who
can bragg or boaft of their Gain in the Strife for Uni-
formity ? Were the b'-^fie Informer shtlovdi and advanced?
Or were they not generally infamous . And did not
many of them come to a Tragical End ? Or will it be
found that thev who were herceft when in Commiflion
of the Peace, in profecuting the Poor Dijjeniers, have
profper'd moft in their Families and Eftaces? Or is the
Mf-mory of thofe Statefmen who wee moft Adtive in
this Service, moft grateful to true hearted Bngh'/hmen?
Doth the Providence of God in this RefpecSfc deferve no
Remarks ?

Did God difown thefe. Worthies, when the great
Ones caft them off? Let any Perfons obferve and judge.
They and their Families were fupply'd, by an invifible
Hand. A noted Man among them, (who himfelf had
a good Eftate) reckon'd up as many who were Ejected
within a few Miles round him, as with their Wives
and Children made up above a Hundred, who were
all turn d out to the wide World, and Liv'd upon Pro-
vidence : Concerning whom he oblerv'd, that though
they were oft in ftraits, yet they were not forfaken*
Nay the fame Perfon (when he had been Youn^, and
then was Old) obferv'd, that tho* many of the Ejedted
Minifters were brought very Low, had many Children^
were greatly harrafs'd by Perfecution, and their Friends
generally Poor, and unable to Support them, yet in all
his Acquaintance he never knew, nor could remember
to have heard of any Nonconform} ft Minifter that was
in Prifon for Debt. Providence was inftead of Livings
to thofe, who left their Livings for the fake of their
Confciences. They were driven firft out of their Free-
holds, and afterwards from all Corporations, on Pur-
pofe that they might befeparated from their kind Neigh-
bours. Cautions were emred againft them, in all ways
of Lively -hood they were capable off; and yet they
Liv'd comfortably , and maintained iheirFamilics credibly 3

O many

-a|h^

1 94 The LI tB of Chap. IX .

many of them bred up their Sons to the Miniftry, in
which they arc now ufetul ; ami the , Dy'd at laft in
Peace, and were laid in their Graves with Honour,

Did Kjticonformity Die with them ? Would to God it
had, provided the Caafes of it had been remov'd, by a
Cordial Comprehertfiiyn: Would to God it had, if there
Were nothing in it but Humour and Fancy, and Preju-
dice, as lome will have it. But as lon^ as \z ts bottom 'd
upon fuch Stable Principles, as the fucce<?ding Chapter
will give an Account of; as long as fuch sl Model it'
mains among us, as makes more necefTary to enter into'
the Church, than is requifite to come within the Gates
of Heaven, it muft be expedled that Nonconformity will
continue. And if there be fome who through Diflatif-
faction, cannot fall in with the National Eftabliihment^
and will continue Nonconform ifts, they muft have fome
ro Minifter to them in Holy Things. And if they have
not fonne to Officiate as Minifters among them that have
a Learned Education, and take Pains to Acquire the
Tieceflary Qualifications in order to ity they will be
likely to choofe fome that arc not fo well qualified,
from among themfelves for that Purpofe. And if thofe
among the DiiTenters whom God bath inclin'd to tbte
IVliniftry, and qualified for it, Ihould have turn'd to
other Employments, the Diflenters wOuld have been
worfe provided, and the Common Intereft of Religion
would have fu&r'd in the I flue. And tho* We, who
tome after thofe who were Ejected in the Miniltry,
iiave our Call and Authority cali'd into Qucftion by
fome, yet if we can approve ourfelves to God, we need
not be uneafie. If we, who rife up in the Room of
thofe who in fo noble a Manner adhered to that Old Pu-
ritannicnl Principle ( which was indeed that of the firft
Reformers) of the NeceJJity of a farther ^Reformation in
the Churchy in order to the more General Mttd EffeHual
reaching of the great Ends of Christianity j if we (I fay^
xvho rife up in the room of thofe who ventur'd All
that was dear to thfem in bearing their Teftimony to
this Principle, rather than they would do violence to
their Confcicnces ; do but imitate their Faith and Pa-
tience, Piety and Purity ; do but partake of the fame
Divme Spirit whereby they were Aded; and have but
the fume Prelcnrc "f G( d with us, to Guide and Ailift
us; to Profper and Succeed us, and to Comfo« and Sup-
port

Chap, X. Mr. Flichard Baxter. lo*-

porcus^ wemay befearlefs of thelflTue; wenetdnpt
envy any their Preferments, we may be fatisfied ,of
the Goocfnefs of our Caufe ; we need nor fear ojr bc-
ipg able to approve ourfelves to God, Our Sovereign,
our , Parliament, the Chriftun World, and our own
Confciencesj and to all Impartial Judges.

C H A P. X.

The Grounds of the NONCONFORMITY

of the Minjjlers who were Ejeffed. Their
Vindication of themfelves^ and fuch as
adherd to them.

IT is not to be fuppos'd that Two Tboufand Mcn^
pick tfiem where you will, fliould be all of a Mind.
Aniong the excluded Minifters there was a diverlity
of Sentiments. Sorpe, could have gone much farther
than others in Compliance with Authority : But a*^
the Terms of Cow/orwji>7 were fettled, they durft not
yield, fome upon one Account, others upon another,
and feveral ^pon many fleafons at once, fearing they,
ihould thereby have offended GocJ. Many Eyes were
upon them; their Refufal was Publick ; the Gap made
by their Ejection wide and great ; and the.Conlequen-
ces very confider^bje. , The Cenfures which were after-
wards pafs'd upon them were harJli and fevere; and at
length it became Modilh to run them all down, as a
Pack of unreafonable and humourfome Complainants,
jfofterity muft an^, will Judge in.th^ Cafe,, when Plain-
tiffs aiid Defendants are all in their Graves. For their
Help and Affiftance, I have here drawn up the Plea,
pf thofe who were the Sufferers, which compar'd wiih

gie Arguments and Replies of the Aggreffours, may
elp in parting an impartial Judgment, 1 defire only it
may be obferv'd, that the following Abftra£l, contains
the Reafon^ p^ thpfe who were the moft Moderate,
and leaft fond of Separation. . ,

I The Things impos'd upon them, if^ they would
Aeeb theit livingis oi tedurefhips, or any Poft of Ser-

0 2, Vied

196 The LIFE of Chap. X.

vice in the EftablifliM Church were thefe Five. They
muft be I{e-ordaind^ if not Epifcopally Ordain'd before.
They muft declare ihcir unfeignd /iffcnt and Confent to
all, flnd every Thing contain d and prefcrib'd in /ind by the
Boof^ of Common Prayer^ and Adminiftration of the Sacra-'
mentSy and other I{ites and Ceremonies of the Church of
England ; together xvitb the Pfaher^ and the Form or
Manner of Makings Ordaining and Cofifecrating (f Bifhops,
Priejis, and Deacons, &c. to which was fuperadded an
equivalent Subfcription. They muft take the Oath of
Canonical Obedience^ and fwear Subjedtion to their Ordi-
nary^ according to the Canons of the Church. They muft
Abjure the foiemn League and Covenant, And they muft
alfo Abjure the takjng Arms upon tiny Pretence whatfoever^
a^ainlf th£ K}ng, or any Commiffionated by Him. Thefe
Things were all flraitly enjoin'd, without any Thing to
qualifie or foften them, or room for a Difpenfation. So
that if any Man fcrupled but one Point, and could
have complv'd in all the reft, he was as certainly Ejed-
cd, as if he had fcrupled all. And all of them were indeed
fcrupled by many, who weighing them maturely, could
4c ifljouid ^^^ regard them (as Circumftances ftood) as Things in-
haye that different, or barely inconvenient; but refus'd them as
thai my flatly finful, according tothebeft Light they could gain
hare r hear- by their utmoft Enquiries. I'll view them diftindly, in
fing theRea- the Order in which 1 have roeniion'd them*.

fons that

had betn ghen by others^ had been no fign of my Approbation of all that IFc
hearfe ^ notwithflanding that I am one of thofe who dare not Conform : But
it feems it has been taken otherwlfe by thofe that haye Written againji this
Chapter. And how jufily^ let the World Judge,

I. They muft be ^e-ordaind^ if not Epifcopally On
dain'd before. This was plain in the AFi of Vniformity^
by which it was Enadled ; * That from and after the
Feaft of St. Bartholomew i66i, no Incumbent, in Pol-
feflion of any Parfonage, Vicarage, or Benefice, that
was not in Holy Orders by Epifcopal Ordination,
Ihould enjoy the fame, but be tpfo faHo, depriv'd j his
Ecclefiaftical Promotions being void as if he were na-
turally Dead, G^c' Room indeed was lefc for re-
ceiving Epifcopal Orders (if till then wanting) be-
tween the Time in which the A<St pafs'd, and Bartho-

hmex9

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 197

lomevo Day, AuguH the 14th. But tho* there could
have been a Compliance in all other Refpgds, if Epif-
copal Ordination were then found wanting, they were
by the A(^, iffo faSio Ejeded. This afFeded the fat
greateft Part of thofe who came into the Miniftry, af-
ter that Diocefam were put down ia England by the
Power of the Parliament. For they 5yere Ordain'd by
an Aflembly of Senior Paftors, who \yere then in Pof-
feilion of that Power : And tho* after due Examination
as t i their Qualifications, they were folemnly fet apart
to the Sacred Miniftry by Fading, and Prayer, and Im^
pofition of Hands, and had the Blelling of Heaven for
many Years attending their facred Miniftrations,5 they
muft yet now be doom'd to Silence, unlefs B^-ordaind by
Diocefans,

This was what they could not fubmit to, becaufe
it would in their Apprehenfion, be a nullifying theic
pafs'd Ordination. This feem'd not to them alight
Matter, but very Momentous: In as much asthePeacq
of their own Confciences, the Credit of the Reform-
ed Churches Abroad, and the good and welfare of
the People among whom they had laboured, were all
very nearly concern d in it. Their Confciences would
not allow them to play with Holy Things ; in pretend-
ing to be movd by the Holy Ghoit^ to take upon them the
Office of a Deacon, when they knew themfelves already
iix'd fufficientiy in the higher Office of Presbyters. It
appeared to them a taking Gods Name in Vain, folemn-
ly to Pray to him for what they were affur'd they had
already ; and to feem to be firft invefted with a facred
Authority, which they had receivM long before.
Neither durft they pour fuch Conrempc upon the Re-
form'd Churches Abroad, as their SubmiHion in this
Particular would in their efl-ecm have carry'd in it:
By difowning them and their Minifters, who had no
other Ordination, than fuch as that which they had
before receiv'd. And withal they durft not invalidate
their own paft Miniftrations, to the raifing of endlefs
Scruples in fuch as had been under their Miniftry. It
was indeed urg'd by Heme for their Satisfadion, that
the requir'd Epifcopal Ordination was not intended
to invalidate their paft Miniftrations, but to qualifie
them for Service in .the National, EftabliOi'd BngU/h
Church s That the Ordinances they had before admi-
. , - ^ ^ niftred

198 -- The LIFE of Chap. X.

fiiftrcd were allowed to ftand Good ; for that they 10
whom they had apply'd the Seal of the Covenant in
Baptifm, were not requir'd to be RebaptizM." And
that the prefcribed Ceremony, by Irnpofuion of Epif-
topal Hands, might be regatded rather as a Recogni-
tion of their Minifteriai Authority, and Inveftiture in
it under the National Ei^abhfhment, than a Re-ordi-
nation. To which they ealily anfwer'd j that as for the
forbearing to Rcbaptize fuch as they had Baptized be-
fore, it was no more than they would have done, where
Children had in Extremity been Baptiz'd by meer Lay-
mep, nay, by any Dreaming Midwife, and there-
fore this was far from any Security with Reference
to the Validity of their foregoing A6lions as Mini-
sters, which refeir'd to other Ordinances as well as
that of Baptifm. And as to the other Infmuation,
that their Subraiflion in this Particular might rather be
regarded as a Recognition of their Minifterial Au-
thority than a Re-ordination, they anfwer'd it look'd
like double Dealing: Inafmuch as the iignifying f6
nnuch in exprefs Words was fo perempcorily refus'd j
the fame F^rm muft be us'd in their Cafe, as if they
were then to be firft entred into the Miniftry, with-
out the leaft Variation; and their being then Ordain'd
in the fame Manner, as if to be firft entred into the
Winlfterial Office, was requird by thofe, who upon
all Occafions decJarM the being twice Ordain d flatly
unwarrantable. Whereupon they pref^^d them with
this Argument: Either they were tru6 Minifters be-
fore in their Efteem or not. If not, how could they
venture upon a Recognition ? And acknowledge their
Antecedent Kight, by conftrqiing it with an additional
Formalit-, ? If they did own them for Minifters be-
fore, V hy fhould ihey be for Ordaining them in the
fame Manner as they would have done if they had beea
no Minifters, and fo contradidt their own profcfs'd
Principle of the unwarrantablenefs of a double Ordi-
nation Biit in forhe Cafes, to put the Matter beyond
a'l Dilpure, an exprefs Renunciation of the forego-
ing Ordirtarion by P'esbyters was requir'd, before
Erilc!opal Ordination couJd be had. To make it ap-
pear, this is no groundlefs Affertion, I have annexed
A formal Renunciation, that was requir'd in the
Diocefs of Chciier^ before Epifcopal Orders could be

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 199

obtain'd''? And 'tis reafonable to

believe that this one Bifliop had not * E^o A. B pretenfa-s weas Or-

a different Senfe from the reft, tho* dinationU Literal a (ju'hufdam

he adled more openly, while others Presbyteris dim obtentas, jam.

were more upon the referve. Be- /'««'f«* renuncio, f^ dimlttn pro

ine therefore Convinc'd that the '>'^»^'--> Hi*^'^'[erSupplicans^un-

• ■ ^i„ ^ u t: T 11 tenus Rev. in Chrifio Pater rirDo'

jequmne them to be Epilcopally . ^^ V • -n

r\y .J ui_jr - rj minus, Dommw GeorPius Tcr-

Ordain d who had been m a reg-a. ^^^^^ ^^^.^^ (^^,^,. ^ ,^^ ^^

lar way Ordain d by Presbyters be- ^^ 5^,,^^ vUconatus oUlnem

fore, tended (and indeed was by j^xta Motem & rUu4 Ecdefis^

the generality DeflgnM) to nullifie Angllcanx^ dignaretur admiitersi.

their pafs*ci Orders, and invalidate

their Conf^q'^ent Miniftrations, and at the fame Time

to re(ic& on Foreign Churches, who have no Epifcopal i ^^ qi

Orders, as deftitute of vaLd Gofpel Miniftrations, the) lyffe, «,/,/

durft nor fabmit to it f. frj} ' wrote

againfi this
Tenth Chapter, vm at prft for laying ajtde the Con/tderation of thU Re-ordi-
nation : Def. of Min. Conf p. 4. Bwf upon Second Thots added an Appen-
dix to prore it Lawful, f/om Scripture PraBice, and the Reafonof the Thinr.
Which Fojifcript lanfwef'd, Def. of Mod.Nonc. Tart i.f. 56. Mr. Hoadlv
alfo declares for Re-ordination, Reafon of Conf. p. 6. &c. He gi-^es thlt
Grand Keafon I becaufe Epifcopal Ordination is the Regular, Orderly Ordina-
tion in the Church ofCbrifi-j and the departing from it tends to the Overthror^
of all Order. And he AJferts that Perfons dre wholly unqualified to Aff as
Minifiers without it, &c. In return to him, I in Def. o/Mod. None. Part r.
f. $4. &c. Plead that he takes that for granted in this Cafe which is the
main Thin^ in Queflion: And declare that his Way of Reafoning the le/s af-
feShsus, becaufe' tis Hike the Reafoning of thePapifts againfl the Proteftancsi it
refleHs on many of the Suffering Witneffes of Chrifi, vho hare /food up in
Defence of the Truth and Purity of the Gofpel, and on moft of the Reformed
Churches now in being ; it lays more flrefs upon a Hicety than on the main Sub-
fiance ', and is fuch that it woi^ld not be born with, if retorted^. After tphichy
I from Scripture and Reafon, ju/lifie Presbyterian QrdinatloM, and f^jew the
Infujficiency of what is ufuaUy alledg'd from the Fathers, to invalidate it, c»«
wake Re-ordination needful. Mr. Hoadly on the other Side, in Ij/s Defence:
«/ Epifcopal Ordination, argues thus. He fays that JBilhops liave the Solts
Power: They have had it in PofTeflion for i $50 Years, tiiey iiavc all the
Right that Prefcription can give. But it does not follow^ they hayc a Scrip-
tural Right to any fuch Exclufiye Power: And meer Pajfeffton tho' rf never
fo long a Continuance, gives noRight properly fo calld. He adds. That therc*s
ho Inftance in the New Teflament of Ordination performed by Pref«bycers j or
i^ithout fome Church Officers Superiour to. them : But though there K?«rc in
the beginning -t wlien Ordination was managed by the JPresbytery, fome Church
Oncers concernd who were Superiour to Presbyters^ yet is there m hint in the

O 4 flVw

200 The L I F t of Chap, X,

J\^e%P Tefl anient of the rtecefftty of the Continuance of fttch Svperiour Officers in
the church. He further adds. That all Sc. P^m/'s Raics for Ordination
are dired>ed to Superiour Church Officers. But it no more follows from
thence^ that in after A^es none hut Superiour Officers mi ht Lr.v^^uUy Ordain^
than it does, that none but fuch, migh! Lawfully Admini[t<r the Lords Sup'
fer, or perform any other Part of the Minijicrial Off.ce, becau,e the Minifie'
rial CotnmilJion was giyen to fuch direff-fy. He goes on, and fays. That the
Apoftlis fueled Bifliops in the Churches of Chrift, and lett the Power of
Oidiiniiig Pi tsbyters in their Hand's, which is proVd by the Teftimony
of Writers in that and the following Ages, which Te{!imony is as Uni-
verfal and Unanimous as can reafonably be expefted or defir'd. AH
that can be clearly prov'd, is. That the Apojtles and their Affiftants fetled Con-
^rcgational Bifhops. This is Okwix by the Learned Blondel at large: And
tr.ore lately by the Ingenious Author of tiJe Con"il:itution and Difcipline of
%ht Primitive Church ^ Chap. 2, iir ^. And if they did not fettle fuch as
cur Modern Bijhops, they could not leave the Power of the Ordination in fuch
Hands, txt the Exclufon of others. And the I aft Link in his Chain is this^
That this Evidence ought the rather to be accounted fufficient upon the
Head of Epifcopacy, becaufe 'tis generally own d fuch, upon the Head of
the Scriptures of the New Teftament, which cannot be prov'd to have
been extant from the Days of the Apoftles, and to have been Written by
the Apoftles, or by Perfons approved of by them, by any other Evidence.
J "Reply., That the Teftimony giren by the Ancients with Reference to fuch
Epifcpacy as our Debate runs upon, and with Reference to the \\ ritings of
the New Teftament, is very different, as to Earlinefs, and Unanimity, and
Uniyerfality, and Collateral Eyidence. The Teftimony they give to the Scrip-
tures is a bare Matter of Tafh, the credibil ty of which depends upon their
Integrity : But the Teftimony any of them gire to the Apoftolical Inftitut'ton of
Epifcopacy, relates to a matter of Tafh with their Judgment, the Credibility
cf which depends on the Proof they produce, ,7'hey generally refohe their
Proof into Scripture i, but as lon<r ns we cant ftnd it there, we are rather to
follow our '>wn fudgment than theirs, and that efpecinily when feme among
them plainly rcprefeut it as a meer prudential Inftitution, defignd to prevent
Divi ons and Schifms. Whereas, if we refufe to credit t))eir Report as to
the Writits of the ]\'ew Teftament, we refufe the bcft Evidence of the Kind,
that the -.'attcr will bear. . — Mr. Hoadly afterwads tales a great deal of
fains to Stren':then and Support the Teftimony from the lathers upoi: this
H(ad, in Oppofition to my ObjeCiions:, And I have a particular Reply by me^
Vfhich had long fince feen the Light, but that J was unwilling to divert
him from his better Imphymcnt. Bw^ having wcigHd all that he ha< faid,
J am fiill 10 feek for Proof, that Diocefan Epifcopacy, or the Cfjnpnement of
Ordination to Superiour Biftxips, to the Jlxclufiun of Presbyters, was of Apo-
ftolical Inflitution And if not, then PresbytciS may warrantably Qrdain, at
well as Preach and Ad mini ft er Sacraments •, and qualified Perfons Ordain* d
by fuch have no Occafion to be Re ■ ordain d.

IL Tbcy

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 201

-rr

II. ' They were re^uird to Declare their Unfeigned Af- ^Uutherii

* fent and Confcnt to all,and every Thing contain d and ( »• e.

* prefcrib'd in and by the Book, Inticled, The Book ^ickman-

* of Common Prayer, and Adminiftration of the Sa- "* ) ^;"'-

* craments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the ^°^"* f ''^

* Church, together with the Pfalter or Pfalms of David -^f^'^^'':

* and the Form or Manner of making, or ordaining, '^^^^^^^^

* and confecrating of Bifhops, Priefts and Deacons, f^jj^.^^^

* And they tnuft alfo (and ttjat ex Animo) ■ Suhfcribe Pa<re ia

* thefe l^'ords : That the Book of Common Prayer, 1 jf gax-

* and of ordaining Bilhops, Priefts and Deacons, con- terV vUa,

* taineth in it nothing contrary to the Word of God ;for Peace,

* and that it may lawfully be us'd : And that they Page 207.

* themfei\ es would ; fe the Form in the faid Books pre- ^'^ Eng-

* fciib'd in Publick Prayer, and Adminiftration of the^^Non-

* Sacraments, and no other. conformi-

ty Stated
and At-
gul Page 13. Ulnd Troughton's Apology for the Nonc»nfoimifts.

The kiSt of Uniformity requir'd that this Decla-
ration fho' Id be publxkly made by Word of Mouth
by all that would keep their Places, on fome Lords
Day before Auguji the 14th i66i. And by all that
afterwards were prefented to any Eccl^^fiaftical Bene-
fice, within Two Months after they were in Adlual
PofTellion of it. And the Subfcription was as peremp-
torily requir'd, as the Declaration. But they could not
herein concur for Two Grand Reafons.

I. Becaufe very few of them could fee the Book,
to all Things in which they were to declare their At
fent and Confent, before the Time limited by the
A6t was expir'd. For the Common Prayer Book with
the Alterations and Amendments, (forfo they arecall'd
how defervcdly I inquire not) made by the Convoca-
tion, did not come out of the Prefs till a few Days be-
fore the 24th of Augvfi. So that of the Seven Thou-
fand Minifters in England who kept their Livings, few
except thofe who were in or near London, could
poflibly have a (ight of the Book with its Alterations,
till after they bad dsclar'd their AiTcnt and Confent to

^ i£*v

'202 The LIFE of Chan. X.

*Afr.01-^^*' This was what honeft Mr. Steely and many orhet
lifFe f« /jM of the Nonconfoitn fls warmly complained of in theit
Def. of parting Sermons, when they took their Farewcl of theit
Min. Conf. People at the T me of their Ejecfjion. And whatever
f- 5i ^' it might fceni then, when Perfons were lo a manife(^
faji^ That Hear, at a Diftance it appears foch a Hardihip, a that
he and his j^ jg rather to be wonHered, that fo many coulH Ac^ in
brethren art^^ weighty a Ma ter, upon an implicite Faith, than that
TUJT^ fuch a Number fljouid in fuch Gircumftancea ftand out.

thU,Buttho^^^h
they are

awr, *tfffM a Hard/hip ntofi certainly^ vhereyer thU was the Cafe. To take
it cffyhe reports from an a^ed Mlnifter.in their Parts^ that he and hit Nei'^hboun
fent to London, and had the Amendments and Alterations co ted out .* And
4iddsy that it is to he hoped, thai the Chdrgehere brought is groundlefs acainjl
fa many Thoufand Miniflers^ &c. To this^ my "Return Def of Mod. Non-
conf.Ptfrt 2.f. loo, loi, is this, that perhaps that might Be a peculiar Va-
your, becaufe I ha'pe it under the Hand of another worthy eje^ied Minifitr
(vffho is fince dead) that this rvas true Vn Ta^ ; ana that fever at Minivers
erven in London, r.eyer read it before they gave their affent and Confent -^ and
that in Middlefex, few JParifhe: had ttx Book, till a Weeh^ Fortnight ^ Three
ii'eehor a Month after. But as for wrfttin Copies of the Amendments, they
vferefo liable toAhufe and Mi/iakes, that 'tis dubious how far they might' be
fafely depended on. And being he is fo willing to fuppofe there might be a
Alifahe, til give him him. one of his own Church for a Confirming Witnefs •
viz. the wortlyy ALuthor of the Confoimifts Plea for the Nonconformifts,
who, Plea 2. p- 55. fays, that a Divine of Tears and Learning in the Diocefs
of Lincoln, 'gave this for one Reafon in his farewel Sermon^ that he was to
le flenc'd by Law, for not fubfcribing and aJfentinT to, a Book which he had
Tict feen : And he adds, that it was the Cafe of many more in that Diocefs :■
And that Mr. B. of W. in the County of L. wot e)elhd by Sir EdWardi
Lake, altho he gave that Reafon, that the Booh was not brought him before
the 2^th of Augufl, tm before he was d,ecUr'd depriy'd by the Lommtffaty^

4. When they had Opportunity to perufe the Book,'
they met with feveral Things there, which after the
ftri6lcft fearch they could make, appear'd to them not
agreeable to the Word of God : For them under this
Apprehenfion (which it was not in their Power to alter)
to have gone to declare their Satisfadiion that there was
nothing contrary to the Word of God, and nothing
but what they could both Affent to (as true) and Con-
fent to, Tas good and to be us'd) and to have fubfcrib'd
this with their Hands, had been doing Violence to theic
Confciences, and acLcmpting at once 10 impofe upoa
God ind Man. They,'

Chap. X* Mr. Richard Baxter. 203

They could not but obferve the Comprehenlivenefs

of the required Declaration : There muft be not only

€cnfcnt h\M^]fent too ; and that not only to nU in General ;

but to e'very Thing in l^ articular contain d in and prefer ib*d

hy the Book of Common Prayer, Words could fcarce be

devis*d by the Wit of Man, more full ; and more fig-

nificantf, whereby they might teftifie their highcft ]u- i A Letter

ftification and Commendation of every Point and SyUf^omaMi-

lable, every Rite and Ceremony, every Matter and "'V^^'' ^^ <»

Thing contain'd in the whole Book, and in every ^^'Z^'? <!f

Page and Line of it. A Man might almoft be tempt- ■> . CTt

fed to imagine that the Framersof this impos'd Decla-^^*^'^

ration and Subfcnption, had had this B^ok of ^^^^^J^fo^s^forV'

Prayer dropping down among them immediately from Noncon-

Heaven, and that they lookM upon it as nothing elfe formity. ^

but a continued Oracle from Firft to Laft : And that /oofe sheet.

they were of the Mind of the famous Dr. Swadlin^]^2gQ i.

who fpeaking of the Publick. Service' very roundly Af-

ferts *, That there xvas not a Tittle of it, but it vpas by

the Diaate of the Holy Ghoji ±. That Gentleman was ^ f " 5**
' Anniverfa"

9y Sermons on the ^oth of January ; Particularly that An. 16 $6'

J Mr. OllyfTe Def. o/Min. Conf p. ig, 14, feems not a little difpleas'd

at my here mentioning Dr. Swadlin, w/i*, he fays, it reprefented by Mr. Wood

rf^ in a Manner diftraCled : And feems to vfonder that J fhould fpeak of Per-

fons Idolizing the Common Prayer Book. Mr. Hoadly alfo exprejfes himfelf

-itffith fome Heat, he owns it in fo many Words, Reafon.of Conf. p. ^^, that

I (hould cite this PaJJage of the Common Prayer Book's being diliated by the

Holy Ghoft : And both of them alfo touch upon it afterwards. If it may

therefore be to their Satisfaihion^ I have found better Authority to the fame

Purpofe. For when the liturgy was firfi framed in the Days of Edward Vf.

it was by the King fent to the Lords and Commons ajfcmbled in Parliament^

who upon Perufal of the Book, declared in their Afh of Thanks, that it was

donejhy Aid of the Holy Ghoft. An. 2. Edw. VI. i. And as much as thefe

Gentlemen contemn poor Dr. Swadlin, ^et I hope they'll ownBi/hbp Sanderfon

to have been a great Man. Now Biffjop Walton in the Account of his Life^

that is prefixed to his Sermons, with a great dealt of Gravity ajfures us, that

he told him that the Holy Ghoft feenned to afBft the Compofers of the

Common Prayisr. There was owe Abbot, who wrote of Church forfakers, who

iryd up the Liturgy of the Church of Engfand to that heighth, as mt to be

afham'd to fay that the Wit of Men and Angels could mt mend it, and that

it is a fuffcient Difcharge of the Minjjiers Duty but to read it. And

Afy.Pierce (Conformifts firft Plea for the Nonconformifts, p* 20.) fays. That

he has known fome that tho*t no Worflnp Divine, without the Common Vrayer.

Hr m^ San 2 famot help counfiif^ thii an idolizing o/f/» Cow wff» Prayer.

not

2 04 rhe LIFE of Chap. X.

not only plras'd to alTert this, but he tho't fit to prove
it too. His argument is fo admirable for its Peculiari-
ty, that I cannot forbear tranfcribing it. Of all Offices
in that Book, he faftens on that of Matrimony , and par*
ticularly on the tirlt Prayer in that Office ; which be-
feeches Almighty God to blc-fs the Coapk co be mar-
ried, as Jfaac and ^bxca. Whence he thi^a Argues,

* This Prayer was diitated by the Holy Ghoft to the
Compolers ot the Common Prayers, or maoe by

* thole Coinpofers Wiiboiu the Uicitare of the Hv^ly
' Ghcft : Bi.t not by them withov-t his Didlaie ; there-

* fore by his Didaie ro them, if by^them, witho'it

* him, rhen they would have made it according to Hu-

* mane Reafon, and fo have faid, Blei's them^ O Lord,

* as thou did it blefs Ahrahayn and Sarah^ or as chcc. didft
' blefs Jtfct;/; and ^%ehel ; and they had humane Reafon

* for it. For Abraham was God's firft Friend, "^jficoh was
' God's great Favourite But fays rhe h-oly Ghoft, not
' fo, nor fo : But let it be, b'.efs their* as Ifaac and B^bec-

* c/T. And there is no Humane Reafon for this, but a

* Divine Reafon there is, and that is thisj Abraham
' had his Hngar in Sarab*s Time, and his I^eturahzket'-
' wards. Jacob had his Leah^ his T^ilpah, and his Bil-

* hah ; But Ifaac had none but his Hebecca. And ther^

* fore fays the Holy Ghoft, let it not be, blefs them as

* Abraham and Sarah^ blefs them as Jacob and l{achel z
' * For then People may be apt to think they may have

' many Wives at once, if not fome Concubines: But
' But let it be, blefs them as thou did blefs Tfa/ic and

* Bi^ebeccn. Let them know, one Mao (hould have but
' one Wife, efpecially at one Time. A little after, he

* adds, certainly therefore, blelfed are they which die

* in maintaining that Service- Book, which can without
' Contradi61ion, Father the Ceremonies of it upon the

* Holy Ghoft.' This it muft be own'd is plain Deahng,
But the poor Nonconforynifts had not that Spirit of dif-
cerning, which fach clear lighted Gentlemen were fa-
voured with. If they muft have Forms of Prayer, they
defir'd they might be according to Humane Reafon, and
liOt fatber'd upon the Holy Ghoft without better Pre-
tence to Infpiration. Their feeing fome make a plain
Idol of the Common Prayer Book, rendrcd them the lefs
fond of it. Such a Declaration as was required of them

•, con-

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 205

•concerning it, was in their Apprehenfion as much as could
be defir'd or don , concerning the Book of God, the
Bible it felf. Yea they qneltion d, Whether many a
fober Man might not have fcrupled to declare fo nnuch
concerning any Copy of the Bible now Extant in the
World, there being hardly any one to be found, ^^'■;^^''
but what may have fch Faults and Slips, as "^aynlf'of
make an unfeigned AiT^nt and Confent to every Tittle, ^^^ ^^^^-^
a Matter of rational Scruple*. But as for the Book of j, ^o. &c.*

Jays, rh^t
Affent and Confent are Law Terms, and may be tahn either ahfoluteiy nt
comparatively ^ and intimates that it is enough, if being perfwaded of the
Lawfulnefs of the Things enjoined^ they unfeigredly Ajfem and Confent
thereunto, and judge it ttuch better and more eligible to ^fe it,, than by Re-
fufal to lofethe Legal OpportunUy of exercifng their Minijiry. He fay>, the
Aflent and Conient U only to be undevflood of all Things enjclnd to be i*>'d
und fraClisd. Mr Hoadly alfo fays mmh the fame ^ Reafon. of Cont:
|>. g6. &c. declaring that AflTtnt and Conient is to be cnnfind to the Ufe of
what U contained and prefcrib'd in the Bool:, and f. 59, he fays, that it is ab'
folutely determined by the very Farliament tJ^at made the Afl, that it iff as
meant fo. And the Nature, Manner, and Torm of all Lav? Deeds and Fuh-
lick Declarations, he fays, rehire this Way of Interpretation, and condemn
the other : Whereas on the Contrary, I hare giycn as good Eridence as need to
be defired in 2d Def. of Mod. None p. 119, that the legijlators have gi-ven
their Senfe to the fame Fwpofe veith the ejcded Minifiers in this Cafe. The
Lords and Commons agreed that to under/land the Declaration of AfTent ar.d
Confent only as to the Ufe of vphat was prefcrib'd, was not enough to mh-
fwer the Law. Tor from the -very Journal of the Lords, I hare gheif 4
true Accout of the State cf the Cafe thus:

On July the \^th, 166^. A Bill was fent up from the Commons to thi
Lords, intituled. An Aft for Relief of fuch Perfons as by Sicknefs or
other Irapedimenr, are difabled from fubfcvibing the Dechvation in th6
Aft of Uniformity, and Explanation of Part ol the faid Ait. At the
Second Reading in the Houieof Lords it was committed. Some Altera-
tions and Amendments were made by the Committee, and a Ciaufeaddt-d
of this Tenor : And be it enafted and declared by the Authority afoae-
faid, That the Declaration and Subfcription of Aff:nt and Confent in the
faid Aft mentioned, fliall be underftood only as to the Piaftice and Obe-
dience to the faid Aft, and not otherwife, Tliis Additional ClaiUe \va3
agreed to by a Majority : But Twelve Lords protcftcd againft it, as de-
ftruftive to the Church of England as now eltablifli'd. When the Bill
was fent back to the Commons, they defir'd a Conference, which ^vas
yielded to by the Lords. The Commons vehemently declared againft the
Amendments and Alterations of the Lords and t\^':^ Additional Caufe 5
^nd it was openly dcclav'd by one of the Managers on tiie Part of tlie

Common

2o6 The LIFE of Chap, X.

Commons, Common Prayer, ^e. They found fuch Marks of.

that what Humane Infirmity, in the Frame and Contexture, andi

was fent x\^^ particular Offices of it, that they durft not make

down to jfjg Subfcriprion and Declaration requir'd, iiJl they,

them^ could receive Satisfaction, with Reference to fundry,

toucmng gx(-eptiQns they had to brine in, which appeared to them

this Bill, c xiTr.- d^ J n r

Jiad nfi- of gr^^t Weight and Conlequcnce.

ther Ju- * .

6ice nor Prudence in ft. W|ien the Conference was ovei:, the Lords
voted an Agreement with the Commons, and dropp'd the Adiilional
Claufp before recited. ;

nothing treed he defifd more plainly and fully ^o gire the Senfe of t1}e Zf-
t'ljlaton in the Cafe^ than this of which Mr. Baxter had giyen an Hint before.
This I tho*t might hare been allots d to determine this "Bart of the Controverfy.
iut Mr. Ollyffe id Def. of Win. Conf. p. io6. will fuppofe that I had it
from fame Ancient Gentleman, And that it mdies not fo much to my Fut-
fofe as I reprefent : And Mr. Hoadly in Def. 0/ f/^ Reafon. of Conf. p. j.
faysy he has heard the Truth of my Aciount much conteffed. Itf the mean
Time I quoted the journal of the Lords for my Vouchers, and referred theift
4ind others thither for Satisfafilon : And it is no difficult Thing for any Gen:
tleman to get a Sight of it. if any one will be at the Pains to take a Vieiif
«if that^ and flill remdins dubious as to the Senfe and Intention of the Legi'
haters, I P^all wonder at it, and defpair that drgulng will anfwer any En4»
The Lords aim^d at declaring, that a bare Ufe was intended, that a Num.-
her might be that V^ay easd ', and tlte Matter had been clear on that Side had
the Commons concurr'd : But they refufing to allow of bare Ufe as fufficient^
and dratPing oyer a Majority of the Lords, in Eff'efh determined, that they
jpho put that Senfe upon the Declaration of Aflent and Confent, that it was
to the bare Ufe and no more, leading Perfons (iill room for difapproring any
Thing contain d or prefcrib^d in the Common Prayer Book^ wretchedly mif-in-
terfret it-, and ajjume to themfelres a Powet of interpreting contrary to the
tegijlators themfehes,

I. The Subfcription and Declaration requir'd, they
found would take in the Do£lrine of F{eal Baptifmal [{e-
generation, and certain Salvation^ Confequciit thereupon.
And that whether the Perfons baptiz'd, were qua-
lify'd Subjedls of Baptifm, yea or not. Ic would!
be an Approbation ot the Rubrick at the End of the
Publick Office for Baptifm, where 'tis faid^ It k certain
hy Goefs UP^ordy that Children which are hnpti:(dy dying h"
fore thry commit a^ual Sin, are undoubtedly fav*d, Ic
would have been well if they had quoted the Place;
for the Diffenting Minifters freely confefs'd their Jgnp-
^a'nce^ that ibey knew of no fuch Word in Scripture^

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 207

h would alfo be an Agreement, to ufe conftantly iiftor
E^aptifm that Tbankfgiung 5 I4^e yield thee hearty
Thanks^ moft merciful Father^ that it hath fleaid thee
to [Regenerate thit I.fant vfith thy Holy Spirit. Now
when they fhould be obliged to baptize all Comers,
without a Liberty of refufing the Children of InfideJs,
or the moft Scandalous Sinners, (provided they had
but Sponfours) to blcfs God prefently as foon as the
Office was over, for Regenerating them by his Spirit;
and lav it down as undoubtedly certain that they were
fav'd iF thry died, this was what their Light would
not fuflice for j and therefore till then 'twas their un-
doubted Duty to avoid Concurrence. For who can fo
much as queftion whether or no it would have been 2
Sin in them, to blefs God with Confidence for what
they did not believe was real ; and to lay that down as
undoubtedly certain from Scripture, of which they faw
not there the leaft Foundation* They found the Chil-
dren of the wickedeft Parents (of Whores and Adul-
terers living openly in all notorious Sin. and wholly
withcnt God in the World) baptized without Scruple ;
and many of them died foon after Baptifm : Now how
Could tbev pretend to be Cure by the Word of God, and
paft all doubt that all fuch went to Heaven, when God
fo pofitively deckr'd in the Second Commandmcnc^
that he VQould punifh the Iniquities of the Fathers upon the
Children, unto the Third and Fourth Generation *? This at
leaft might make the Matter dubious to them. Sup- ^
^ofe a Chriftian King fhould conquer a Country of „ .^^ .
Pagans, or Mahumetans, or Jews, or compel ^^^(;^^at^^^

if I pro-
due' d thit Text fot the Damnation of Infants ', Reafon. ofConf. p. 46. and
eften harps upon it afterwards : Whereas I really had it not in my Tho'tSy
and I helieve the fame as to the ejefled Mtnljier from tphom I took it. For
my Part Im Hot for pofitively damnin^^ without good warrant \ and leaft of
all fhould I he for being fey ere towards Infants: But yet fending all Infants
undoubtedly to Heaten that are bapti&'d ii certainly too lax. God's "vifitin^
ihe Sins of the Fathers upon the Children-, is not here produc'd as an Argument
that he dooms Infants to Hell for the Sins of their Parents •, but as a Proofs
that it becomei us to be more wary than to talk of undoubted Salvation, in
the Cafe of all baptiikd 5 for that where God yifits for Sin, (tho he'll take
Care to do it confiftently with his Juftice) there may not be that Eridence of
^aly4tm^ as can in an^ tolerable Senfe be called undoubted^

their

2o8 The LIFE of Chap. X.

their Infants forthwith to be Baptiz'd, and fome of
them immediately expire, at leaft before the Commif-
(ion of a(^uaj Sin, is the Salvation of all fuch fure, and
paft all doubr, and this to be made out, and cleared by
the Word of God ? Is it in the Power of Man to make
Infants fure and certain of Salvation ? It is in the Pow-
er of Man to kill t poor Infant, and to choofe his time
for doing it. Many Whores murder their Babes before
Baptifm, and they might as well do it immediately af-
ter, and fo affuredly (upon this Hypothelis) fend thena
to Heaven, whither they (hall never come themfejves,
without bitter and forrowful Repentance. And fo might
the aforefaid King and Conqueror, (after he by Baptifm
had given them their fure and unqueftionaHle Paffport
for raradifej even in Charity and Kindnefs immedi-
ately cut the poor Infants off, and fo without any far-
ther hazard, give them Poffeflion of eternal Blifs. But
our Minifters could not tell how to apprehend that
any Mortals had fuch Power over Souls, as this would
amount to. ,
¥ 7/,e It hath been pleaded by fome in this Cafe to mollifie
tl[!)op and the Objedfcion, that the aflcrting of a Baptifmal B^genc
Vhineiwho ration, was what was mainly intended ; * and that

met in the

Jerufakm Chamber^ tn 164.1^ vpere for leaying out the Words undoubtedly
fav'd, out of the lafi Kubrick of the Office for Confirmation^ from whence it
tffas remrrv'd into the Office for Baptifm in the ISew Common Trayer Book.
Jlnd Mr. Baxter tells w, (fee his Life in Vol. p. ^1%.) that when in the
Tublick Debate with the Bifh9ps, he infiancd in one of hii Varijhoners that
wai a Vrofefid Infdel^ and yet faid he would come and mahe the Common
frnfejjion for his Child for Cuftom fake-^ even Dr. Sanderfoh Bipjop of Lin-
coln, rtn/werf/ ^4«^ none of the Bifhops contradicted) that if there were
Godfathers it had a fufficient Title, and Bi/hop Motley and others confirm'd
it. Now thefe Godfathers (fays Mf. Baxtcrj being not Adopters, nor Owners,
4re cannot fee it certain in Gods Word, that all thofe are fay^d whom they
prefcnt to Ba\)tifm ^ no, nnr whom Ungodly and Hypocritical Chrijiians prefent.
for how can the Covenant fave the Chiid^ as the Child of a Believer, which fa-
veth not the Tarent as a Believer himfelf^ And fw era I Gentlemen even in
th: Houfe of Commons., who were of the Church Tarty, declared that they could
not have fubfcrib'd this Kubrick, as to the certain and undoubted Salvation of
Baptized Infant^; and Sir 'Uincclox. LikG, Knight of thr Shire for Middle-
fcx, Son to one of the Secretaries of King Charles the Vlrji-, wJ/o had bad Bi*
fhop Andrews and Bijhop Lake for his Godfathers was one of them. But
Mr. Oilyffc, fay^, ("Def. of Min. Conf. p. i5. drc.) that this Kubrick is no
Part nf -nhat is prefcrib'd for Ufe j and yet thinks to molUfi the Matter by

here-

Chap. X. Mr, Richard Baxter. 209

herein they bad the Concurrence of many of the moft r.jfeytin<^ a,
celebrated, Refdrmed Divines, and of many even o^BapufmaL
our owfi moft admired Writers; to which they had^f^e^ter^.
this obvious reply: That the Thankfgiving afer Bap-^^""- Mr.
tifm, mentions ^geveratingvoith the Holy Spirit ; which "oadly ^Z-
carries the Matter farther than the Sign, and feems to^^^^^fon.
dehote the Th'ng fignify'd, as adtually given to each^^ ^^h ^
baptized Perfon. Befides the Senfe of the Church in this v^.j'^'^^J"
toint is fi^fiiciently clear'd by the Ofiice for Q^-'^fi''^^^- this ref^rl
tion^ m which the Bifliop who officiates, in his firft Ad- ^^t to ths
drefs to God, exprefies himfelf thus. Almighty and e- Uicnjfentcd.
verliving God; who hafl vouchjafed to, Regenerate thefe thy andconfent*
Servants by i^Vnter, n7id the Holy Ghofi^ and haji giv:riedto: But
unto them Forgivenefs of all their Sins, ^C. This (diidpleads that
with Reference to all Comers, (as to which 'tis well Baptlfm
known there is very Hrtle Care) gives ground to all^^'*^''^
concerned to think themfelves fufficiently Regenerated ■^^''/^''^ ''*"
ailready, and to apprehend that the Church doth not ^^.'1'^^'*^^
think their aiming at any farther Regeneration needful,^. .^^''"**
when once they are baptiz'd and confirm'd. This was ^.J^^'^^ V
a Thing that appeared to our Minifters of fuchdarge-^/ ^.^ *-
rbus Confequence, that they durft not concur in it or ^/^/^gj^^;^^^
any Way approve it, for fear of Contributing to the ying done '

dny Thing
to put them out of thisState^ they J?)aE he fayed. And to theObjeillon taken
from the admitting all Comers^ he anftvers, that he kwivs n t thc.t Bdptifm
may not be dented, to the Children of Athei/is, /(?«?<, and Infidels : For the Of-
fice fuppofes a Chriftian Country^ and Chriftian Parents, 6Zc. My l^eium^
Dt(. of Mod. None. Part. 2. f>. 134, &c. is this: That take the Kubrick at
the End of the Office for Baptifm, the Thankf'hin^ In the Office immediately
after Baptifm, and the Office of Confirmation^ as referring, to Baptifm prcieed-
in^, all together^ and they difcover that Laxnefs upon the Head oj Baptifm^ as
a Regenerating Ordinance, as may prore a Temptation to many, to think that
Ordinance a fuffic'.ent Pafport for Hearen ; and that the bare receiving it, is.
an abundant Eyidence that Perfons are the Children of God, as much as
they need defit.e to he fo. And for my Part I mufi confers, I think that the.
eje^ied Minifter<i an to be commended rather than blam'd, for refufing to f«-
courage fuch a That, as if Children are therefore undoubtedly fav'd, becaufe
baptizd, and that the Cafe of all Children is alike, if but baptized : and for,
being deftrous to make a Difference, between the Application of the outward,
Si<in,and the reaching the Bleffings Jignified: And for being afraid of encourage
ing this Notion, that real Regeneration is a needle fs Thing in the Cafe of bap-
ttz^d Perfons. He that would fee more of this Matter, may confult^DtL of
Mod. None. P.2. p. i^'y.ld Def. of Min. Conf p. 129. Def. of t/;e Reafon.
ofConf. p. 34. and Def of Mod. None. P. 3. f. 517, 384, ^<r.

f hardeMng

2IO The LltE of Chap. X-

hardening of a Multitude of vain, loofe, carelefs, fe-
cure Creatures in a fatal Miftake about the Safety of
their State ; neither could they fee how they could An-'
t The Letter fwcr for it to God another Day t.

from a

Minifter to a Tirfon of Quality Jljeyping fame 'Reafnm far his Nonconformity^
fa<re ;, A. Corbsts Remains, />«i,;e 154. Short Suryei^h of the Grand Cafe r>f
the Prefent Mm'ftry^ fage 15. Baxter'i nonconformity Stated and argued;-
paire 4S. His Pica for Peace ^ fage 169. His Defence of the flea for Peace,
fage 1 6 ar.d 1^7, &C. at Large.

^ Mr.Ol' 1, This AfTent, Confent, and Subfcription, was a-
lyffe, Def. mong other Things to the Ufe of Godfathers and God'
of Min. mothers in Baptifn), to the Exclufion of Parents*.
Conff.g^.

&c. denies that Parents are excluded or yuflled eut by thelJfe of Godfathers-,
and fays. That their Ri^ht is fecured, and their Benefit (onfulted thro' the
Uho/e. Artd tho he ovpns the too common Carelefnefs of Godfathers, yet wont
allow that the Ajfent and Confent "couired, at ail encourages it. And he ap*
f lands the Care taken hy fome to pre'vent Abufcs^ of. K>hich he declares his own
Abhorrence. Afr.Hoadly,Reafon. ofConf. f, ^1, ^z. fays. That Parents are
to pro-vide the Sponfors, and that the devoting their Children by them to God, is
a^ much their o:z^n AO: and Deed, as if they had no Sponfors <? and hat tf?e
^r^Jfe/l Abufe of an Inflitution, is not a fuff.cicnt Argument againfl that Jn^
(titution It felf. He cant fee how the Method of the Church tends to the pro-
plfaning this Ordinance. And tho' he bewails the little Regard many (god-
fathers have to the ferious Part of their Office, he yet hopes there are fome f»
fenfible of their Obligations, that they omit no Opportunity of doing their Du'y^
6iQ. In rdturn, I fay, Def. of Mod. None Part 2. p. i 50, &c. That the
Grievance here is, 7hat Godfathers and Godmothers according to the Meth'id of
the church, are taken in as Parties in the T<ederal Stipulittion between God and
the Baj'tizd, which Parents mufi not be admitted to, ihu it is their proper
Uork. If Parents may not be allowed this (which U noioriotts) then they are
excluded. And where the Right to devote or bind lies in the Parent, he cannot
tran<fer it. And when Subfiitutes are pitched on to bind the Children of others
to be the lords, tho' t])cy have no Rig})t to bind them, and they Covenant for
them, and the- Children as they grow up are taugljt that they are bound by their
Tromife ; and this Promife and Vow of theirs in their Jiame, is in the Office
reprrjented, as that on which t};eir Intere/i in the Blefjings of the Covenant ii
fufpendcd, I can't fee that this Affair /lands upon a right Bottom. A Divine
In/it tutif>ni< not to be fet afide when abufed ; but its otherwife an to a purely
Humane Infiitution, efpeci.illy when it is in it felf liable to jufi Obje^lions^
as this is, t^hich has been ju/ily complain d of by many (both in the Church and
out of it) as a great Occ a/ton of the general Prophanation of this Ordi-^
nance. And therefore while thefc Gentlemen bewail the little Regard many'
Godfathers lave to tlje ferioTts Part df their Office, (which as far as it goes is
Well) I beg leave (in ConjunClion with the felled Minifiers) to bewail tJje

This

Chip. X. Mr, Richard Baxfer. 2H

This they eftt emM finful, not only becaufe it }\}{\]ed;;rofi Cor-
out the Parents Right to devote iheir Children to God^'^P'ion
in Paptifin, which is the Thing vpon which the Admini- ^^''<^ff *i
ftracion of rhaiOrdinancetolMfar.cs was primarily Found-'''** ^^'^y
edjbuc alfo becaufe it r.pen'd a wideDoor to thcProfaning'^!''^/'' '/* '"
of one of the moft awful Solemnities of our Holy ^eii- Jj^'^£'^^^'^..
gion. In as much as G>^dfa'Hers and Godmothers are nei- n^^i^iT^*^
ther requir'dto be chofen with due Care and Caurion • ^lidac^
(and in the Cafe of many Perfons, *tis really impoffiblccor^.w t9
to procure any ferious Undertakers :; nor are they tied the Ecclc
CO bring the Children of Chriitians o:dy, nor only (uch /laflicalCott'
as they take for their own, but without any Difference /?'>«'^"j»,
may bring the Children of any Atheifts or Seducers, '^^''«'/'?f>*^
Jews or Infidels, at Pleafure, without taking any fur- '^'^'^ ^^ ^'^'^^
therTho't or Care about them. Withal thefe God-'"*"^''"'*^
fathers and Godmothers pcrfonate the Child, as be-?'"^.'^*^
lieving in Chrift, and renouncing Sin ; and that with-'^/f/f'*^*^^'
out any Authority for it, either from any Natural Right, "^^J^^^'^j^^ .
or Pofitive Law. And the Ordinance of Baptifm wiiJ^/,^^*^,.^
feem to be put upon that inf'fficient Bottom, by 2Lny fomeGod'
one who fedately cotiipares the Ofiice for that PuTpofe,/rff/,er5 bat
with the Church Catechifm. For the Promife of the mind that
Godfathers and Godmothers, in the Child'sName, is in rvhlch is
both repiefentfd as the Foundation of Baptifmal Dedi- ^'^f'"'' P«fj»
cation, and the Ground of the Claim of the Benefits ^^^c^o^^^^
and Bleffings thence arifing. Now our Minifters fenfi- ^""y ,^f,
bly found that this would not bear Sc§nning. In the '*'*^^" ^^'
Church Way this Ordinance is fo managM, as if thej!!^ '/y'*'^*
Godfathers Faith were Beneficial to the Child, ^^^ (^f^/theve'i
not the Parents: When as God requires no Faith or Re- //^^/^ ^^^^
pentance of Infants, but only that they be the Seed o^ ^^ ;)^^tters
Penitent Believers, and devoted to him as Rch, thisal- fland^ that
fo was an Offence to many. And then they found, that it vfiU he o-
Godfathers and Godmothers were generally bro't to thn-wife )

that it
won't be rery likely they (hould much credit the Inflitution. The Queftions al-
fo in the Bapifmal Office are }i*ftly exceptionable. Murciilus/.i7.<, That the
Cuflom of interrogating Infants is fo abfurd that it canmt be defended. And
the Learned Spanheim fays^ that this mimical Vrofejjinn of the Sponfr.f^
Tfhich is afcribd to the Infant ^vpi II fear ce be found to haretahen Place before
ihe^i^h and Ninth Age ^ when Superjiition prevailed. Thefe Interro<^atoriei
(hould be referred for grown Perfons, who have no Need of Sp nfors, which the
church officioujly provides for them. He that would fee more of this Matter^
may fonfult Mr. OilyfTe'i 2</ Def of Mm. ConLp. 141. Mr. Hoadly'5 Def.
A/f/;e JR,eafon.o/ Conf.f. ^(^. And myDd.ofMod.Nonc. Part. ^.f. 3l8,&: 387,

P 2 the

XI 2 The L 1 Fh of Chap. X.

the Font, 'O avo cb a great Untvuih, and makethem-
felves oHnoxioMS to Lying and Perjury intheFaceof
God and the Church. For Expertenre Iheweth, that
what Appearance (never there is o^ Solemnity at the
Ergaging in fuch a Promife, yet ihcy never (or very
rarely) pviformir. Some of them never fee the Child
more, after the Chrif^ning Day, n t ever enquire more
after it. Yea, tho' they folemnly Engage on the Be-
half of the Infant, yet they hold themfelves realty
bound to nothing, but look up"n a:l as meet Ceremony
and C(.mplement. Suppofe a Parent (hould afterwards
Chalh nge his Goflips, and fay ; yoa promis'd when
you ftood Sureties for my Child at the Fonr, to call up-
on him to mind his Duty, to hear Sermons, &. and
to fee him well inftru(5ted in the Rudiments and Prin-
ciples (f Religion ; but you have not done it, and thro'
your Negledt, he does not hear Sermons, he is not Ca-
techized, he does not renounce the Works of the Devil,
but is in the High-way to Ruin, notwithftanding your
Engagement : What would be the Anfwer of thefe Per-
fons to the Parents, of the Child, but this? Should we
look after him or you? Whole Child is he, yours or
ours ? He is your own proper Charge, notwithftand-
ing our (landing at the Font ; be is committed to your
Truft, and therefore if he do otherwife than well for
lack of your Care, the blame will be yours, and his
Blood will be «pon your Head as the only Criminals.
And indeed hardly any Thing can be more Obvious to
Obfervation than this, that the blame is not laid up-
on Godfathers and Godmothers if Children be not
well Difciplind and Educated, neither do they blame
themfelves, or Ihew any Confcience in this Matter, al-
tho' 'tis evident, that if they perform not their Cove-
n.ints to the utmoft of their Power, they break their
Faith. On which Accounts, they durft not by any
* Bax- Means Confsnt to Encourage fo Corrupt a Cuftom*.
tcr»i Tion-

tonformlty Stated and Argued, pa^e 57. his Plea for Peace^ pa^ei^f. His
Defence of the KonConf<ir miffs Plea for Peace, page i6. The Letter from 4
Minijier to a Perfon of (^/tatity^ P)ewing fome Rcafons for his NoncoTt'
formity. Corbets Remains^ pa^e 1 5^. Baxter'i 2d, True Defente of the meet
ficnconf Ch. 12, pa^e 167.

3. This

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. ii:j

g. This AfTenr, Confent, and Sufcription, v/ould have ^ j^^ q^.
obIig*d the Minifters to have denied the Ordinance of lyffe j^^f
Bapcifm to fuch as had not Sponfors, altho'they had a of Min. '
real Right to that Ordinance, and to be rhertbySoletrn- Conf./)4o.
iy recogniz'd as born Members of the vifible Church- &c. fayi^
Sonie have herein queftion'd the Reality of the Obliga- ^'^ »<?■>'<:»"
tion ; but as far as appears,upon very weak Grounds* For /""ow/i d to

exclude nil
that have not Sjjonfon f, and that there is no fuch Word in the Book which he
has fubjcriU'd to : And asks me^ if I do not know that there is a Vorm in the
Book for Baptifm without Godfathers f. And adds, that this Form is to be us'dy
•when there fhall he any ^reat Caufe and Necefjity-^ and the Minijler is left fole
fudge of this Caufe and Necefjity ^ and that if PerfoMs immoveably fcruple
Godfathers this is a great Caufe or Necejji.y -^ and that he and his JDJeighbours
knew of no Obligation Dr. F. was by Lav? under , to be fo fliff as my Margin
reprefents him. If this will hold, I /Jjould be glad-, but I doubt it won^t, and
haye given my Eeafon^why, Def. of Mod. Nonconf. P. 2. p. rys, 6tf. What
honeji Mr. Raftrick faid to Bifljop M-^hite of Peterborough in his Vijitation^
defences Mr. Ollyffe'i Confideration. 1 have obferved, faid /;^, That when
fuch as your Lordfhip comes. to enquire into thePraftifeof fome of us, you
examine it by the Letter of Conformity, underftood and expounded in the moft
flriftand rigid Senfe that can be: You urge upon us our Promifes and, -
Subfcriptions, and you aggravate the leaft Omiffion to the Heighth : So
that we are infnar'd in this Cafe ; lirft courted in by plaufible Con-
ftru£lions, and then rack'd and fcru'd, and fqueezd at no Rate, ^c.
See his Letter 10 me, at the End of Def. of Mod. Nonconf Part 3. ^.28.
Alay Mr. Ollylfe nerer have Reafon for a like Complaint fay I.

Mr. Ho2dly takes this grf, and the ^th, and ^th Head together -^ and jointly
(onfders the denying Bapiifmto fitch as had not Sponfors, and to fuch as would
net fubmit to ufe the Si'^n oj the Crofs, and denying the Communion to fuch
as would not receive it Kneeling, as Terms of Communion, and Impoftions^
Reafon of Coni p. $6. &c. And he ajjerts, \. That BiJJ)ops have Aut' ority
to prefcribe thefe Things which are fo grieyoufly complain d of The^ ])avetlns
Authority he fays, as they are oblig'd to provide for the Prefervation of Order^
and as it re fulls from the Nature of all Societies, that tJ)e Governors /f)ould
have a Power r,f ordering what feems to them moft fir the Beauty and Ad-
vantage of them. He intimates the cjeffed Miniflers would have join d with
the Bijhops in impojinr and prefcribing fome Things, about Time Place and Li-
turgy ; and fa'^s, that the Bifhops have Authority to prefcribe in the one Cafe
as well as the other , and thence forms an Ar'^ument thathe feems to think un-
,anfwerable. He adds, />• 785 that the Governors of the Clmrch in requiring
fuch Things as thoj'e mentioned, have ordered nothing, but what if all would
ferioufly comply with., is certainly for the good of the Church, and therefore hav(
,done their Duty, and cannot be charged with Sin : And that the dijprop'.rtio'
pablenefs of the Penalty does not make the Command unlawful ', for that then
/the Governours of the Church could injoin nothing at all. And if any fufer
in thefi Qafesy ^pis mp PQ be chared on the Commands which are defgnd 1 0 be

P 3 ' the

214 The LIB t. of Chap.X.

a T^^cf ^, the Cnn:n fubfcrib'd, obliges in exprcfs Words to ufe
^ainp d;/-^^^ Form prefcrib'd, and n ) other: And the [{i,hrick De-
o>W?r, hut clarcs there lliall be tor e- ery Male Child to be Bapdz'd,
vpon the twoG^dfathers and one Godmother • and for every Fe*
\'^4i:n2Ci maie, one Godfather and two Godmothers. Confe-

tf th')fe

Vfly^ don't corrfly. He plead< alfo for the Yetalninz^ fuch Imp'fitions vhen once
fix'd., becaufe the Fujudtcei and Scruples a^ainft them are unreafnnahle and
^mitndlefs^ and f?rike at all EcclefafticaL Authority \ and bccaufe the parting
wifly thefe Things^ if they did not fart alfo K?ith other Things^ v^ould fignify
ytnthln^. 2. He ajferti th.it St. Pnul fays nothing againf} this tn Rom. 14.
pa*' 88, &c. ylnd-^. He alfo ajfcrt< that Mr.hiy:ic\ s praHife^ and thePra-
ff I Ceo f the Independents ha-s been for, and not againft^ fuch Impojittons^ as are
the ToundatloKS sf the hearie/} Char'i^e a^au'ji the Churchy p. 96, &C. But as
for this Tic a cf his for the Epifcopal Power, and the' Iwpoftions proceedinr
ftom itj^ Ihare dlfinttly anftrer'^d it in t/;elncroduftion to the id Part of my
Defence, from V 30. to ij. 40. What he fays upon Rom. 14. is confider'd in
the fame Iiifoduiftion, V 4c, 41, fire. And the FraHife of Mr. Bixtei*
and the Independents, is alfo ccnftder'd, ^ 4^^. AndJntheClofe of that Intro-
duction J make th's fair Ojfer : Let it but be clearly proved from Scripture,
that ojtr Saviour has »^ive)-> a (.owmiffon to any to fx General Re^^^ulations
in his Wor^hipt befdcs necejfary, or at mofl expedient Circumftances : Let the
I>ounds of cf thisCommifJicn be plainly fx'd and limited, fo as that it may be
known when "tis us' d regularly, and tvhen exceeded: Let the Perfns to rt>hotn thii
Conrmifjior. is giren, be defer! b'd in their nccejfary Qualifications : And let it be
fherrn diflinfUy, tvhat thnfe ¥,cclefiaftical Re^^ulaitons are that are to be obeyd,
and vrhat Obfdier.ce is due to them ; a7td let it be proVd t bat fuch Obedience is
a Duty ; and let the Proof of it be direfl rather than Confequential ; or if
an Argument is drawn from the Confeqjienccs of the Refufal of Obedience on
vne Side, let the oppnfte Argument frotn the Confequences of yielding fuch an
Obediencp be weighed alfo on the other Side : And fnce this Obli'^ationifRea/^
ynufi arife from the Will of God :, let that br evidenced in a Degree of Plain-
tiff ^ that may bear fome Proportion to the Dugree of Poftirenefs with which
it if affnted ', Let but fuch Things as ihefe be{ cleared, it will be found we
are open to Con^'iffion. But it could not be accepted: 1 am told, that were all
the Th'n's I Mention capable of a jiriCl Vemonf ration as true ss any in the
Mat hematic I: s, it would be a yery great Abfurdity to put fo important a
Caufe upon this IJfue, bccaufe fo few of thofe whofe Corxern it is, are capa-
bi>' <if underftandin^ fuch a DemonOration of many of thefe Points, Def.
o/* Epilc. Oidinir. p. ^86. Hherea< it was 7tot Mathematical Vcmonjira'
^'0/, thai wa dc fired, hut fuch Proof as tbe Nature of the Things will bear^
-nd fuch Proof a^ may be expcflcd in Matters of this Nature; and fuch as is
>ncnmmod.ftrd to the Cataciiics of thofe concerned : And till this be ^iven, I
for one, mufi be excufei, if my Notions of Ecclefaflical Power and Authori*
tyt run but low. .

quently

Chap. X. Air. Richard Baxter. 2 1 5

qnently all that wouldOflficiate in the EftabJilhM Church,
muft by verbal Declaration and Subfcription, bind
themfelves * to deny Baptifm to all Children of Godly * Some
Parents, that have not Godfathers and Godmothers, it muft be
even tho' the Parent be leady to do his own Part, Pro- owned
fefling his Faith, Dedicating hiS Child to God, and ^^^^^ ^^'^e-
proniiling a Religious Education. *« g'^^n

^ , J _ , themfehes

ahttt'itude^
hut hovr far tltey could ju/^ifie it, would he 4 pfetty clofe Enquiry. J re-
member in Mt- Henry's Life^ there is a Fajfai^ey which deftryes noting i^on
this Oci.afion One of the Parifhiotters of Dr. F. of Whicchuich, de fired h^
to giyeWay that his Child might be baptized by another K^itJynuc ihe Croj)^
and Godfathers^ if he would not do it himfelf He refufed both ^ afid by d
tettet returned this Anfwer For my Part (faith he) I freely profcfs niy
Tho'ti that the ftri£t urging of Indifferent Ceremonic?, liath dane
more Harm than Good ; And pofSbly had all Men been kfr to their Li-
berty therein, there might have been much more Unity, and not much
lefs Uniformity. But what Power have I to difpenfe with mv fe!f, bs;ing
now under the Obligation of a Law and an Oath ? And he CoKc/udes,
I am much grieved at the unhappy Condition of my felf and o:ht,r Mi-
nifters who mud either loofe their Pariihioners Love if they do not com-
ply with them, or elfe break their Solemn Obligations to pleafe them.
This Freedom and O^ennefs upas certainly more honeft tho joined t^ith a fccm-
in^ Stifnefs-i than Ferfom fretettdin^ to difpenfe with themfelres, vfiien under
the moji Solemn Bonds.

Such an Agrcenaent our Minifters apprehended fin-
ful. They durft not caufelefly deprive Souls of vi-
(iblc Chriftianity, much lefs Damn them for want
of an Humane, unneceffary, if not Corrupt Invention.
They durft not make a Covenant to Rob Chrifi: and
the Church of Vifible Members for nothing ; and
confign thofe over to the Un-covenanted Mercy of
God, whom he (they well knew) vvas ready to ac-
cept for his : And fo Concur in fetthig the Will and
Advice of Man againft Chrift, who laid, Forbid thetn
not ; and was angry with thofe, voho forbad them to
come to him. And it feem'd to them very odd that
the fame Perfons (hould be fo forward to deny Bap-
tifm to poor Infants for want of a Formality, when,
yet they apprehended it would give them a certain
AlTurance of Salvation, as hath been hinted before.
One of them thus expreffes himfelf upon this Matter.

P 4 ! Shall

2i6 The LIFE of Chap. X.

-

Shall a Minifter dare to withhold fo mvich good from,
' and enJeavour fo much evil to the Souls of poor In-

* fanes indenting them their Chriftendom, meerly \ip-

* on the Account of fome AccelTories, and f^:rii pled Ac-

* cidents invented and imposed by Man, and not at all
of the EfTence of Baptifm itfelf ? Bcfides the itupiety

* BaxtcvV < and irrcligion of fuch aProcefs, the Minifter (accord-
j;^r.crnjoY- < -^^g ^.Q j^J5 '^^^ Faith) would be moft Cruel and Un-
^■l?J'-^'d "Merciful in fodoing^anddefervM if poifible, robeun-
*^ 6q" * chnftenedhimfelf again, and turn d among Canibals,
HisF/eafoy ' ^^ °"^ "^^^^ deeply dipt and Baptiz'd in their barba-
^eace, par. * ^°"^ inhumanity than any of themfelves : And yet if
jm. He- * jhe be a true Son of the Church, and puncflually obferve
fence of the * his prefcribed Rule, he mull not Baptize any Infant
JBJea for * without Godfathers and Godmothers, whether it be
^^eace, * fav'd Of damad.' This was what our Fathers could
fa^. 50. not Swallow or Digeft*.

4. This AlTent, Confent, and Subfcription, would o-

t The Bi- b^ig^ to fign the Infants in the Adminiftration of Bap»
fhrfi and tilni with the Tranfient fign of rhe Crof, and to deny
Dirmervho Baptifm to the Children of fuch as refufe itf.

met in the

Jcruf^lcm ih amber in \6^\.6hfeWi that in the Ancient Liturgies, no Crofs
tifas frn'd upon the Party Baptiz,'d^ but where Oil atfo was u^'d: And there-
fort cc.ncciv'd :haf Oil bein<^ now omitted, fo may alfo that which was Con-
(onjit 'f'.t with it, the Sign of the Crofs. But Mr. Ollyffe, Def. of Min.
Om*. p i\^.' f0s, that there is another Office of Baptifm in the Lititrgy^
%fhich the Minijier is authorl^'d for great and nccejfary Caufes to ufe, in
which thi< Si'n is wt prrfcnb'd. And as for ihe ufe of the Sign of the Crofs'^
he fnys it is not in^ but af^ter Bap'ifm :, and he vindicates the ufe of it'^' And
tin ong th-- Addendrj, he fays^ that grf'Wn Ferfons may be Baptii,'d withouP
fr mijing to fubmrt to the iffe of it-^ and if when the BaHifm i< finiJJ/d^ the
Bapt'zd Perfon (hall rcfufc th" S/';« of the Crof^ the Min fhr cannot help i(.
A r Hoadi} alf.^ Keatbn of Conf. p. 57, 58. fays., they mufi be yery injudi-
cious Perfor,$ indted, that can imagine that the Church fupfofs any Grace is
wrou'iht fy the Si in rftheCrof nr the ufe of it^ and therefore there's no nee4
of reg.irdin<! them. That Baptifm is fujfcicnt rrithout one Prayer ; and yet
tha- ii no Objeflion a'^^in/i the Ufe of Prayers it} tjiat Solemnity, nor is i(
frugcr a:\ainft the Ufe of the Sign of the Crrfs. And a< for the fgning the
Infant wih it^ he fays, Uis net a Sign of any Spiritual Grace, nr pretended
to be ordain d by ChriTl^ or us'd as a Means whereby we receive any Cracf,
Qr a p edre to ajftre w of it. And he declares that he does not think it a
fufficient Rtafcn fhr th: total fie'ilcfh of this Sign.^ that we may [Vitnefs our
amikc and Detejiation of thtf f^anity of the Papifts herein. To this I hart

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 217

As for the uling the fign of the Crofs in Bapcifm, anfwer'd,
fome were much more againft it than others : But the Det. of
generality of the Silenc d Minifters regarded it as a Sa- Mod.
cramcnt fuperaddcd to that which our Blelled Lord had ^onc. Pan
infticuted. For there is n)i outward vifible Sign ; A Tran- 2- /*• 185,
fienr Image of a Crofs, made by one that a<^eih as a i°4» ^•
Mihifter of Chrift, and receiv'd in the Forehead by the y^^^^ ^^^
Baptized. The Thing Signif/d is both the work of Re- ^jj^ Common
demption purcbafing Grace, and the Grace given as the i^rayerBook
fruit of that Purchafe. Can. 30. Thus ExprelTes i^'-Uayesfo

* The Holy Ghoft by the mouth of the Apoftle did ho- much to the

* nour the name of the Crofs fo far, that under it he com- Ministers

* prehended not only Chrift CrucifyM, but the force, ef- difcretion

' feds, and merits of his Death and Paflion, with all the ^s Mr.Oi-

* Comforts, Fruits, and Promifes which we receive or ex- ^yffe*ro«/({

* pea thereby. The Churchof£»^/rt«^ hath retain dftill ^^^ ^'^^"S
[ the fign of It in Baptifm, following therein the Primitive ^^^J

^ and Apoftolical Churches, and accounting it a lawful J^^J^^^

* outward Ceremony, and honourable Badge, whereby ^^^^ ^.z-_

* the Infant is DEDIC ATED to the Service of J^^^^^ ,;

* him that died on the Crofs, as by the Words j/,^ Matter,

* of the Comipon Prayer Book may appear, ^^hether the
\ Which iVords airfi,,:thefe: We receive this Child S.>» 0/ t/;e
;. into the Congregation of Chrift's Flock, and do fign crofs be

made in or

after Baptifm.^ if it cscclu^es the Children of fuch as are difati>fied. The

Crofs as usd in the Church of, England, /> a Sign of the Merits of ChriU^ a

dedicating Sigtt, intended to incite, and therefore may be jujily fcrupled.^ It

rpas fo by the Ele£led Miniflers, becaufe it encourages fo many to afcribe

Vertiie meerly to the Sign of it attending upon Baptifm : And the more fo,

becaufe they found fo many Men of Learning and Eminence run that Way, as

well as tJK more Vulgar and JnjudicioHf. 'Tis an evident M ealnefs to lay

flrefs upon this Sign, when Learned Men cannot to this 'Day agree in the true

and proper Torm of tU Crofs. And to deny Baptiftn to Infants, becaufe their

Parents fcruple it, is an unjpeakable hard/f)ip, and not to be jujiijied. He

that would fee more about this, may confult Mr. Ollyffe'i Second Det. o/Min.

Conf. /'. 172. Mr. Hoadly'^ Def, «/ the Reafon of Conf. p. 59. and my

Def. of Mod. Cone. Tart. 3. p. 327, & 395- ^f^^^ '*^»/^'* ^y ^^^"^ ^'*^

of Eif/}op Taylor'5 Mind ^ that a fymbolical Kite of Humane Invention, to

ftgnife what it does not effeU, and then introduced into the Solemn Worfhip of

Cod, isfo like thofe\yain Imaginations and Keprefentments forbidden in the

Se:onc[tommandmeni, that the yery Sufpicion is more againft Edification than

their Ufe can pretend to. Duft. Dubit. B. 3. Ch. 4. p. 681.

' him

2i8 The LJi^E of Chap. X.

* him with fign of the Crofs, in token that he (hali noc

* be afham'd to confcfs the Faith of Chrift Crucify 'dj,

* and manfully to fight under his Banner againft Sin, the

* World and the Devil, and to continue Cbrift's faith-

* ful Soldier and Servant to his Lives End, Amen.* So
that the Thing fignify'd, is Chrift Crucify'd, with the
Benefits of his Crofs. And tlie Image of the Qtok is
appointed to work this Grace, by way of exciting Sig-
nification : And it is Exprefly made Man's Covenant-
ing Sign, by which he bindcth hinifelf to Fidelity ; en-
gaging, That he win not he a/batn^ to confefi the Fnith cf
ChrJft Crucified^ &c. AH Covenant Duty that is re-
quir'd on Man's Part is hereby promis'd : And the Ca-
non declares it is a Dedicating Sign. So that it fecmeth
a Sacrament of Mans, added to that of Chrift. And
tho' it be a Bond onfy on Man's part, and have nothing
in it of an Aflurahce on Gods Part, which is what hath
been often rep!y*d ; yet taken fo, it feems no fmall Re-
fiedlion. For it looks as if Baptifm as Chrift had ap-
pointed it, were efteem'd a Bond not fufficiently firm
and ftrong» and therefore needed fome Addition where-
by Men might be tied the f^ifter to him, and bound the
iBore firmly to their Duty. Our Fathers who knew
any Thing of this kind would be refented by an earth-
ly Prince, could not underftand upon what juft
Grounds we might prefume to make more bold with
the great Law- giver in the Chriltian Church. And
tho* in the Form of Words us'd, the Sign of the Crofs
is (aid to be in lok^en he Ihail not be alham'd to confefs
the Faith of Chrift Crucify'd, yet the Generality are
apt to underi^and it, as if it had been faid, that in
Vertue and Foxver of thu Sign, the Perfon Baptiz'd
ihould not be afliam'd to Confefs the Faith of Chrift
Crucify'd, but fliould fight manfully under Chrifts Ban-
ner againft Sin, the World, and the Devil. Now
they durft not concur in giving even an Occafion,
(knowingly) of fuch a Mifunderftanding to the Vulgar
and Injudicious.

The' Chrifiians In the Primitive Times might make
ufeof thtSign of the Crofy yet the very fime Reafon
which might put them upon thatUfe with a Reference
to the Heathens, (Tiould in the Judgment of the Silcnc'd
Miniftcrs, havemov'd us now wholly todifufeit, with
Reference to the Papilh, Profeflbra then Sign'd them-

felvcs

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 210

felves with the Sign of the Crojly to diftinguifh themfelvcs
from the l^ngans, who fcorn* d the Crofs, with every
Sign and Token of it: And with Parity of Reafon
they thought we (hould now forbear fo doing, to di-
ftinguilh our Selves from the Idolatrous P~ipi/is; who
fuperfticioufly Adore the Crofs, foolifhly figDing them-
felves wirh it upon every Occafion, thinking chemfelves
no good CathoHcks without fo doing, and. putdng no
little Hope and Confidence in it to Free and Prorecft
them from all Evil, and to furni(h and invert them with ^
all Good. Now that they might Witnefs their Diflike Baxter*;
and Deteftation of the Vanity of the Pnpiflj herein, ^°"/''^[°l'^j
they could not unfeignedly Aflfent and Confent to the^^^ J^^^^
retaining of this Sign. ^^^ p^ _2

But their Offence at it was much the more heighten'd, -jI hU
in that the \J{c or Negle6l: of it was not icft to the Mi- Flea far
niftcrs Difcretion, but wherefoever it was refus'd, Bap- ^eacey
tifm was to be deny 'do For the Subfcription that was page 1 16,
requir'd, exprefly obliged to uje no other Form (therefore ^'^ Defence
to be fure not in the Office of Baptifm) than that in "/ '''^ ^^^^
the Book. And the Form of Baptifm there inferted,-^''*' ■P''»f^>
could not be us'd by one who omitted the Crofs. They CS^ '9*
could not herein agree, becaufe they found, that fuch a ^ '^ m'*
Promife and Covenant as was reqair'd, always to ufe-^^^.'^^g '^
that Sign in Baptifm, was a confenting to the altering Perfon of
the Terms of Chrifts Covenant, and Sacrament, and a^alhy
to contradidt one of his Fundamental Laws. Baptize, y;;e«>/»^
faith Chrift, all that are made Difciples j all that Re- fome Rea-
pent and Believe. No, faith the Convocation, Baptize/o«i for hit
none that are proposed, tho' they have all that is necef- Nowonfor-
fary to make them Difciples of Chrift, unlefsthey will "''O'* ^o^"
take the Tranfient Image of a Crofs, for their farther ^^*f ^^"
Obligation. Here was amanifeft Encroachment upon '"'"'*^»
the Kingly Power of our Saviour, in making new ff ^^ '^"^^
Terms of Communion, which they durft not concur in : iq^^^I .
A turning the Keys upon thofe whom they knew Chrift io<ryfortli€
was ready to receive : And a pofitive reje(5ting fuch as Noncon-
he required them to* Baptize. And this (as Light aso- foamifts,
thers made of it) was in their Efteem a Sm of an high^^^e 55.
Nature, and fo would their Confenting to it alfo *. Alfop'i

Mifchicf of
Impojitions, page 26. Baxter'^ Second True Defence of the Meer Noncon-
formifts, Chap. lo. p. 153. E/euthem ('». e. Hickmanni) Apologia pro E»
ii^it in Anglia Mimftrif, page 102.

5; They

2 20 The LIFE of Chap.X.

5. This AfTent, Confent and Subscription, would
oblige them to rejedl all fuch from Communion, as
would not receive it Kneeling.
*7f reas a That it would have herein obligM them is plain, in
Rule in the that the Canon forbids Minifters upon Pain of Sufpenfi-
Cnrnmon on to give the Sacramenr to any that do not Kneel,
FrayerBook which Canon explains the meaning of the Kubrick in
fet forth lit f}jg Liturgy, and intimates that, Give it to them Kneel-
A/n^ bi- Ij^^^ J5 equi> alent to, pve it only tn fuch. It was indeed
T'^ ' k Aflerred by the Difpucants on the Church-fide at the Sa^
jr^l. - " '^9'f that the Liturgy only requird it (hould be given i^neel'
tHahin<r- ^'"^ ^^^ ^''^ not forbid the giving it to others: But it was
Kneclhvr generally Contradidled by the other CommifTioners, and
nni other particularly thole who were upon the Secret. And in-
GeftvA'ei^ ^^^(^ this would be to fet the Liturgy, and the Canons
they may at Variance j whereas they are really all of a Piece ^,

be us^d

or /ef't^ tit every Mans Devotion fervcth. But no fuch Liberty could he a.1-
hrffi by the New Common grayer Book. Mr Ollyffe in his Def ofMin.Conf.
p. 54j here very ^ankly leaves the Impfers to (hi ft for themfehes: But de-
fend} the To/iure of Kneeling. He fays, that the Toflure mdby our Saviour
M- ^'^Hefally alter d-^ and demands T roof of hii ufing a Table Poflure : And
intimites that he and hit Brethren never entred into the Secret ofthofe, who were
for heefing away fuch as did not Kneel -^ and that the Canon about thU Mat'
t'cr h nothin'^ to the Veclavati'm and Subfcrifxtion. My Reply, in Def, of Mod.
Nonconf. Tart 2. p. 200. is this: Tltat if I fuhmitted to Impofitions out of
rera'id [to the Authority of Impofers, I fl)ould think myftlf obligd to regard
their Senfe of thofc Impcftions. I give htm Reafons why "'tis probable that
our Lord might ufe a Table Bofure at the Luchariftical Supper ; And add,
that ftncc he and his Brethren are not in the Secre s of High Church, 'tis pity
they Jh^uld fupport them in their Methods, and be their DruJ<^es to defend their
Ca'uf, and that upon Principles nfh.ch they rs>:ll not own. And if it be the Senfe
of the Church that rctjuircs Kneeling, that all /hould Kneel -^ and this Kneeling as
re<]urrd by the Church be one of the Cereinnnies Ajfented andConfcntedto,thenmitfi
the Declaration ajid Subfcription made in compliance with the Afh for Uniformity,
he an Agreement to exclude fuch as refufe Kneelm'^, whxhthe EjeCled Mini/lers
durfi not concur in. He that would fee more of this Matter, may ccnfult
Mr. 0!!yffe'5 2^.Dcf. o/Min. Conf Andmy Def of Mod. Nonc.Part r^.p. 329.
* 7 fhallonly add, that Kneeling at the Communion wasordered by Pope Honorius,
An: 1 1 r 4 Here the Sacrament was made an Idol, fays Bp. Jewel in hisfirfi Book
againff hirdirg. SeeDnrctal L ^ Tit. 1 . Cap gc.Reg. p. 67, Andthti Ithink
well defrvcs more Confideration in the cafe <f any that fcruple Kneeling, than
Mr. Hoadly feems to atlotv for-., who co.npares a Mam fcrupling Kneeling at
the Sacrament, for fear offymboHz.'nr with the Romanifts in their idolatry^ith
his fcrupling to receive the S.acrament at one particular Time rather thcin ano'
Hfer, which is a Thing that never was pretended, nor pleaded^ nor (.anit with,
tic lean p)adow of Rcafon. See his R,.ifon of Conf, p.'Ji. 73 . Thus

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 221 _

Thus to exclude all that Ihould refufe Kneeling at
the Communion, was what they could not Confenc to:
Becaufc it was a making New Terms of Church Com-
munion; a contradifting Chrifts appointed Terms,
which require all Chriftians to receive each other in
Lovt and Concord, and not to doub f 1 Difputations*: ^ Seethe
A -depriving Chrift's Members of their Right; anUfur- -^^^^ument
pation upon Mens Confciences; and a tearing the "^^" '^'■'"
Charch by dividing Engines. Even thofe of them who f"^^^'^ ^'
could not charge Kneeling as finful, and who could 7^'J^°'
themfelves have comply'd wth i% were yet afraid of ]^- J"^
excluding others upon fuch an Account as that, by Rea- ratiye"^^^^'
fon it was far from being a necelTary Matter. And 1^5. ' '
withal, Perfons might have very good Rea (on to be
backward to yield to the altering of that Pofture that
^as us'd by our Saviour in the Adminiftratioii; and to
be (hy of feeming to fymbolize with Idolaters, in ifing
that Pofture which is well known to be usd by the Pa-
pilts with an Intention of Adoration,as to the fclcinentsj
which tho' difclaim'd by the Church of England, is yet
apt to be mifin'erpreted. Suppofe a Man (hould upon
fearching Church-Hiftory, find that the Pofture of Ki eel-
ing at the Communion was never requir'd in the Church,
till the Dodtnne of Tmnfubflantiation was efta'^lifh'd 5
this alone (tho* he (honld have nothing fa- ther to alledge)
might be a valif^ Reafon for his being Ihy of that Po-
fture But for Minifters to enter into an fuch Combi-
nation, as to be oblig'd to tell fuch a Man when offer-
ing himfelf to Communion ; truly Sir, while you are
under this Scruple, tho' I may Pity you for your Weak-
nefs, yet I can't own you for a Chriftian, this they tho't
hard: And the more fo, in that equal Care was not ta-
ken to keep off from the Communon, Piirfojis evidently
unqualifi'd, and unworthy, either thro* Ignorance, or
Immorality; unlefsbyfuch a Method as was hkely to
do more H- rt than Good.

This of being bound to rejed from the Communion
fuch as durft not receive it Kneeling, was the only Point
canvals'd in the Savq) Conference, The Minifters aflert-
ed this to be finful : And they not only aflerted it, but
advanced in Proof of it fuch Reafons as thcfe. Becaufc
it would be an obliging them to deny People the Com-
munion, on the Account of their not daring to go againft
the Pradice of the Apoftles, and the Univerfal Church

for

2Z2 The LI FE of Chap. X,

for many Hundred Years after them; and the Canons

of the moft venerable Councils. Bccaufe it would be

an obliging th« m to deny the Communion, to fuch

as the Holy Ghoft had requir'd them to receive to it.

Becaule it was an impofing on the Church, Things an -

tecedentJy unnecelTary, upon the higheft Penalty 5 vi-:^,

excluding from Communion. Becaule it was a crofling

ibat great Rule of Charity, .1 will have MerQy, and not

Sacrifice. And ,a ufing that Power . to Deliruilion,

t Baxter's ^^^^^ w^s given to be us'd to Edification |. [He thac

Jionconfor- defires to fee thefe Reafons pirluM and drawn out, may

mitj Stated Coniyili Mr. Baxters Life in Fclio^ Page 346, 347. and

4tnd Ar- 360, 361.]

77. His Tied for Teace^ pag. 182. Qorht\.\ 'Remains^ pag. 149. Trough-
ton's Apology for the Nonconformifis, pag. ^7. Rleutheril [J. e. Hickmanni)
Apologia pro ejeHis in Anglia. Minljirii^ pag. <^i^&c.

6. This AfTent, Confent, and Subfcription, would

* Mr. ^^ an Allowance and Approbation of that Aflertion^

Ollyffe, /«that Bijhops, Pn'esls, and Dcicons, are Three Diftin£l:

his Def. of Orders in the Church by Divine Appointment *. For

Min. Conf.

t^ 5^7 5P) ^^' °'^'*^ '^'^f '^^^ ^iTfWfj Confent^ and Subfcription does allots
this^ a^ to the Three ViftinCl Orders ^ But fays^ that the Objection againU it
drvindles into a jirife about Wr^rds: Tor that BilTiop and Presbyter may be the
fame Order in one reJ^eU^ ar.d difcreni Orders in another refpeCh, Mr,
HoaJly in his Reafon 0/ Conf. p. 105. 3ec. fcems to thii^h^ That the AlTenr,
Confent, and Subfcription, does not oblige to a'Z^vee to this-, or if It doesy he
fays, the Objefiions againfl it are Ijard and unrcafonable. Tor that this Af
fertion implies no more than that it is a plain Truth.^ that inhere haye been tiTC
Three Orders in the Churchy from tl)e Time of the Apoftles, which has been
generally acknowledged, and that by Mr. Baxter among others. My Replji
Def o/Mod. None. Pan 2. p. 209. 6tc. is this, that »/ BiQiops and Pref-
byrers A£l by the fame CommJJion in the federal Farts of Mini/iration and
Jurifdi^ion, (of which I think there is good Evidence, and fuch as I neyer
yet could fee difpror d) then they cannot be diftin^l Orders, by Divine Ap-
fo niment, or from the Days of the Apoftles, which with me is all one. And
if P; caching Deacons, (whrch are the Deacons of the Church ©/"England)
were unknown in the Apofiles Vays^ (which admits of eafe Proof ) neither
then can there be Three Vifiinll Orders from their Time And take it at
be ft, lis hard, where the Thing depending is a Matter of Fa^l, to put d
Man upon declarini^ or acknowledging thai that is Evident to all diligent
KcaderSj which has been contefied by as diligent And impartial finrehen into

Cha^. X. Mr. Kichird Baxter. 22:^

in t^e Book of Ordination, which was as much to be Antiquity ^
Affenred and ConlVnted to, as the Common Prayer'*^ '^"y ^''«
Book itfelf , it is aflcrtcd, That h k evident to all Men P^^Ji^etonc
4tl:gentl) B^adiuo the Holy Scriptures and ancient Author s,^!'^^
that fern the Apoftles Time, there have been thcfe OK- ^'''^''f'
DERS, in Chrijfs Church, Bi/hopj, PrieJts.rMd Deacom^'^^ rf"^^
ai hjveral OFFICES. And indeed the whole Book of Baxto- t/70'
Ordination is botioip'd upon that Suppolicion as its /^ ovrm £-
Foundation, p'fcopacy to

be jlncient^
yet I C4nwt find that he. ever, achnowledg'd .'Three DiftinCl Orders from the
AfafiU'> Time But let it once be fairly frorp'dY that liifhops, Priefls, and
Deacons, had from the Time of the Apofiies, thofe dr/l'tnB Pothers whith ate
mw a^gn''d them by the dmrch of "Enghnd^ <ind if any aftertvardi Cavil
about the Term that fhould beglxenthem^andvifhethertheyfhall be caWdT/^ree
Orders, Offices or Degreed, they would be needlejlf Litigiow, See more of this
Matter, in Mr OllyfFe's Second Dti. of Min. Conf. - p. 195. Mr. Hoadly's
Dcf.ofthe Reafon of Conf. p. 66-, and my Def. o/Mod. None. P. 5. /». 532,
& 795. 1 fljall only add a Parage out of Caffander, whofe Judgment and
Sentimenti may in this Cafe deferve fame regard : 'Tis this'^ An Epifcopatua
inter Ordinei ponendus fie, inter Theologos & CanpnlftaSi non convenit:
Convenic autem liter omnes, olim Apodolicorura aetate, inter Epifcopoa
& Presbyteros difcrimen nullum fuifle. Corolla c ;fu tern Sacros Ordines mo-
pviedici diaconacum 5c Presbyteratuii, Sz; quosfolos Piimicivam Ecdeliain
in ufu habuifle legatur. Georgii Cajfandri Confultatio^ Artie, i^.

Now many of the Ejected Minifters were Confcious
to themfelvesi that^ they had diligently read the Hojy
Scriptures, and confulted Ancient .Au'^hbrs, and yet
could not fee Evidence of Three ORDERS and
OFFICES: And therefore to have .yiel4ed to that
Declaration and Subfcription which would have im-
ply'd the contrary, had been grofs Prevarication. They alfo
tho't they had good Reafon to believe, that Calvin^ ^^K^y
and many more of the firft Reformers j and thatfuch Men
as Blonde! y SalmafiUi,I{obert Parker, Gerfom Bucer^ Calder"
wood, Cartvoright, John B^ynolds, Ames,Ainfworth, and many
more fiich eminent ProteHants^ who had quite different
Apprehenlions of this Matter, had diligently read both the
Scriptures and the Ancients, as well as their Neighbours.
Neither could they fee any Reafon to be confident, that
fuch Men oi Selden, StiQingfleet (at that time when he wrote
his Irenicum) Bifhop Edward Reynolds, and many others,
who iho'E the Scripture inftUuted no Particular Forms

of

2 24 T^l^e LIFE of Chap. 5^*

of Governmenr, had been altogether unconverfant ei*
ther with Scriptures or Fathers. Nor did they think it
neceflary to run down fuch a Man as Arch-BiOiop Vflyer
as a Novice in either, tho' he often profefs'd it his
Senfe, that Bifhops, are not a different Order^ but a dif*
fcrent D^^ree in the fame Order.

Nay, they found that even the Church of England
was formerly of another Mind, as may be feen in the
^< t Canons of uElfrick to Biihop I4^ulfinc*y which conclude
nnnni ^^^^ there were but Seven Ecclefiaftical Orders, and
CoKcU. Fol. fh^t the Bifoop and Presbyters 4re not Two, but One.
I. nag. And Bifhop StiSingfleet pfov'd ds they tho't by fufficient
575, 57^- Evidence, that Arch-Bifliop C^/v^w^r, and other Refor-
Septem mers of the Church of England were of that Mind •
Gradusy and held that there was no Difference in Ordo between
confiltutl a Bijhop and Presbyter^ bat only in Degree. Wicfi
funt^ in Ec- ^^^^ Confciencc then could they have yielded to fuch
c/e/tci. ^ Subfcription and Declaration, as would reprefent

'u'a'***' ^^ *^ ^^^^^ Senfe, that Bifhops, Priefis, and Deacons^
Ho laiius, ^^^^ Three Diftindt Orders all along in the
leftor- Church, while they tho't they had good Reafon to
Ten/^tfEx' apprehend the contrary, and good Company in that Ap-
orcifta^ prehenfion.
QuAttm

Acolychus; Quintus Subdiaconcus 5 SextU4 Diaconus; Septimut Pres-
byter. Haud pluris Intereji inter Mijfalem Presbyterum 6r Epilcopum,
quam quod Epifcopus conftituttn ft ad Ordinationes conferendas, ^ dayifi'
tandum feu Hnfpiciendum curandumque ea qu£ ad Veum pertinent, quod m-
mi<t crederetur Multitudini, ft omnis Presbyter hoc idem facerct. Arhbo fiqui-
dcm UNU M tenent E UTJD E M J^E ORDINBM, quamris dtgnior fit
iHupars Ep'ifcopi. Non eft alini ORDO conjiitutm in Ecclefiafticis Mini*

fieri i<, &c.

Baxter'5 Flea for Peace, page 194.

Befidcs thefe, there were other Things, which tho*
by foine poiribly lefs regarded than the former, were
yet fuch as ihey could not Aflent and Confent to,
without having Reafon and Confcience fly in theis
Face.

I. They could not Confent to Pronounce all Sav'd,
that are Bury'd except the Unbaptiz'd, Excommunicate^

^n^

Chap. X. Mr. Evjchard Baxter. 215

and Self-Murtherers *. The Words in that Office for ^Dy.
the Burial of the Oead are thefe ; For as much aiit /j^z/j Still ingfleec
pleased Almighty God of >'K great Mercy^ to t4^ unto him- ''^ ''** ■?»'<?-
y?//, the Sou! of our dear Brother here departed : and afcer-^'*^^ ^° ^''«
wards ; IVe give thee hea) ty Thanks for that it hath pleas'd ^^^'^^^on-
thee to deliver this our Brother out of the Miferies cf thts ^^^^^^^^ °f
finfulJ4^orld. And again; That xve mny reft in H.m, aif^^^^'^^^'
our Hope », thfs ow B other doth. This they could by no^/^ . yowm
Means approve of. For rho' they own'd themfclves Expre/Bns
bound to judge according to the utmoft Bounds ofinthisop.
Charity concerning all. yea, even thffe with whem they ficc for the
tvould not change Souls, not ^e in their Condition after Burial of
Death for Ten Thoufand WorJds, yet pofitively and ^'^^ Dead,
peremptorily without all Limitation or Difcrimination,/'^/'Cy^ tf>e
to fay and avouch conierning every one whom they -^.^'<^f •^''■'»*-
Bury'd, That God in gre^.t Me>cy has tal{en his Soul ; viz/i-^y^ ^'f'
by Death out of the Body ; And t^ken it to hiwfelf; this ^/^J"f' ''"^
was beyond their Faith, and they found nothing Jike^^^/"^*"
it in the Gofpel, which fpeaks altogether in another ^n/^gL ** -
Language to and of in^penitent Sinners. It is p^^i^Mr.OUvff-'
Contradi(5tion, that Thoufan-is are cut off by Death //, /./^ x)^^;
in the midft of their Sins, of Drunkennefs, Whoring, of Min.

Conf./7. 5g.
&C. fays, that the fllenvd Mlytifien vfere not put to that which they tpere fo
afraid of nor rvM he neither. He f leads that this Office may be fafely us'd
at the Gratis offome ^ Out fays that confenting to ufe the Book^ does not
oblige to ufe thit Office at the Graves of all. J^-nd tho' there w a Canon that
threatens Sufpenjton to Mlnifiers who refufe to Bury any but the Excommuni-
cate, yet he intimates, that ti?here a Minifter fcrufles ufing ihisOjjice, he need
but take his Herfe and ride out of Town, and can be in no great danger up-
on that Account : Or elfe he may leave out what is liable to be mifcoftftrued,
die. Mr. Hoadly, Reaibn of Conf. p f 12, 6sc. fays, he wont trouble hi m-
fc If or its with fearchin^ out fome pofjthle found- Senfc, in which fome of the
Pajfages in this Burial Office that are excepted againfi mi^iht be under fi ood :
He frankly owns that in fuch Cafes a6 thofe that are mention d, of Men cut off'
in the midjl of Notoriotu Sins, as Drunkennefs, Adultery, Murder^ &c. this
Office is wholly improper. Only />e pleads for God's taking to himfelf, the Sou/
of a departed Brother, in the Common Way: And ii fill for hoping beyond
what «thers can fee ^eafon for: But afier all, does not think that a Mini-
fier is obliged to ufe thefe Exprejjions excepted again/}, in fuch Cafes a.s thjfe
mentioned'., or is likely to fuffer the leafi inconyenicnce for omitting them.
Uind he afferts, that the omitting of thefe Sentences in fuch Cafes, is not con.'
trary to the defign of the Church in prefcribing this Form, but more agree-
abli to iti than the vfn^ them,

Q Swear*

X26 The L I FE of Chap. X.

Mheti I Swearing, ^c, without any lign of Repentance from
afterguards Firft to Laft, fo Living, and fo.' Dying : Now, how
mentioned a can it be faid, T/M^ God took^ away fuch Perfons out of this
remarkable lyorld by Deatb^ in Mercy^ in great Mercy? In as much
FaHr, rvhich as at the fame Inftant, they were taken away from all
n**Tn' Po^^bility of Future Repentance and Amendment of
Ton & hi ^^^*^' '^^^^ ^^^'^ ^" ^^^^ Cafes it might rather be
cfffmw^i ^ ^^3.1'd, That God took, them awny in Wrath ; provok'd by
a Sermon ^^*^ ^°"g Abufe of his Patience, and rheir own Impeni-
that the ' tency. Yet neverthelefs the Prieft mutt not only fay,
Diffentcn tliat God took away ail fuch Perfons, in Mercy ^ in gretit
hadfome Mercy ^ but aJfo pofitively affirm, that Good took^ them to
pUufible himfelfy \. e. into Heaven. Whereasthe Scripture faith
objections exprelly, that neither Adulterers, nor Fornicators, nor
a^ainji the Drunkards fhall ever go to Heaven : Yet hereby muft
Common j-jj^y j^j^^g oblig'd themfelves, in perfedt Oppofition,
^^VJ\ when they Bury'd any known Adulterer, Fornicator, or
San*^ 1 f ^^ Drunkard ; to declare and avouch that his Soul was ajfw
fertdlno; for ''^^^^ <?^"^ thither. They could not fee how Charity
hint to Ee- would excufe dangerous Eriors and Falftiood. By this
primand Means they faw they (hould be necelTitated to Pronounce
him, he many Savd at the Grave, whom in their Pulpits and

fiood to

Tvhat he had ajferted ; The Archbip)op ask'd him which Farts of the Common
Prayer he meant 5 And he mention d this Burial 0_ffice •, upon which that Ardr-
bi/hof> nwnd to }}im, that he was fo little fat is fed with that Office himfelf^
that for that yery Reafon he had never taken a Cure of Souls •, Mr. OllyfFQ
pajfes it by 'as a Private Story ^ and Mr. Hoadly fays, that he finds the Truth
of it much queft ion d-^ and therefore to give them SatisfaCiion, I Jj^all now
tell them that I have it under the Hand of Mr. Stancliffe, who wrote that
Pajfage (among many other Things of bis own Knowledge) in the Ikargin of
p. 5 J 9. of my Abrid-i^ement, and afterwards was fo kind as to fend me his
Book for my own Ufe. And I fuppofe none that knew him, and knew his
Vrisedom with Dr. Tillotfon, wiE demur upon crediting the Relation. He
that would fee more upon this Objection, may Confult, my Def. of Mod.
None. Part. 2. p. 219. &c. Mr. Ollyife'i Second Dcf. o/Min. Conf. p. 203.
Mr. Hoadly'i Def. of the Reafon of Conf. p. 80. And my Def, of Mod.
None. Part 3 p. ^2^, & p. 40^-

/ fhall only add., that the Bijhops and Divines raho met at the Bifljop of
Lincola's in Weftminfter, in 1^41, about Alterations^ were for changing
the Phrafe in this Office^ in fure and certain Hope of, the Refuneition to
Erernil Life, and putting it thus 5 knowing alTurtdiy that ihc Dead IJiaU
rife ng^in.

Writings

Ghap. X. Mr, Flichard Baxter. 227

Writings they tho't theinfelves oblig'd to Condemn.
They (hould hereby be in danger of fpeaking falfly for
God . mifreprefenting his Word, and hardningthe ungod-
ly and prophane in their Hope of coming off Safe at
Laft, altho' they perSfted in their diffblute and licenti-
ous Courfe. Now they durft not Dannn a known A-
dulterer, Fornicatour, and Drunkard, while he was
Living, and yet fave him when he was Dead. Nor
yet again could they commit his Body to the Ground^ in *
fure nnd certain Hope of the I^efurreB ion unto Rternnl Life,.
Which Words muft neceflariJy be fpoken with Refe-
rence to the Ferfon then Interred, inafmuch as they are
the Continuation of the foregoing Declaration : vi^^,
Gods taking his Soul to him/elf, Befides it follows f which
puts it out of Doubt) in the laft Colled or Prayer, Thaf
when we Poall de-part this Life, voe may rcjl in him^ O'^'l*
Chrift^ lii our Hope is this our Brother doth. Now chey
tho't it were eafie to fore- fee fundry Cafes, in which
they would be fo far from having any Jure nnd certain
Hope of a Happy I^efwreHion, unto Eternal Life and SaU
vation^ that there would rather be a ftirc and certain
fear of a doleful I^JurreHion unto Eternal Death and
Damnation, And withal, it feem'd to them to be
but a wild and fanciful fort of Charity in thefe Men,
that they fliould have fuch hopes as to perfons Dy-
ing under fuch grofs Sins, as Murder or Adultery, Re-
bellion or Blafphemy without Repentance, while yet
many of their Confciences were too tender to allow *ji tetter
the Office to Differ: ters^ becaufe they were hopelefs^ow a Mi*
Schifm^ticks *. ni/ier to a

Ferfon of
Quality -i P}ewing fame Feafons for his Nonconformity. Baxter'^ iVo«fo«/or-
mity Stated and Argu'd^ page 85. His Flea for Feace^ page 187. Cor-
hst's Remains, page 161.

2. They could not Confent to a falfe Rule for find-
ing out Eafier Dayf. In the Common Prayer Book f Mr,

Ollyffe in
his Def. o/Min. Conf. p. 7c, 71. asks why they mayr.'t confent toufe a ^ood
Rule that generally hnlds good^ becaufe in a Reyolut'.on of [cores of Tears
it has been found to hare forne Exceptions? Mr. Ho^dly'f Realbn of Conf.
p. I 2f. jQryj, that fuppofmg this Rule falfc, a Man might with a fafe Con-
fcience^ both dec/are his j^jjent and Omfeni^ and SuLfcrihs: And add<^ that
tlte fuppofed faljity of this Ru/e^ is wholly founded upon a miflake of out

Q^ z there

- 228 The LIFE of Chap. X.

own. Tht- there is a Rule for finding out the moveable Feafts and
B 14 J e neither Holidays. Eafter Day (on which the reft depend) is
contraciich tii^nys the flrft Sunday after the firfi Full Moon, vehtch hap-
the Table m ^.„j ^^^^ ^.yr^^y. ^/,^ Q„p ^nd Twentieth Day of March : And
the Common -j: ^y^ p^j^ ^^^ happens vfon A Sunday, Eafter Day is
llr]h^Com^^^'' Sunday after. The frequent falfity of this Rule,

7»on Al-

tnanacli xohuh agree with the Table. Only we (he fays) judge of the
Mcon h the Common Almanacks^ which are there fet down according
to the Keformation of the Kalendar^ and the Rule jpeals of the Moons m
they are to be found in our own Kalendar, according to the Account in Ufe
before that Keformaticn. Hereupon^ /, in my Def. of Mod. None. Conf.
Tart 2. p. 241, added fame T articular 'Remarks of a Hori})y Friend, who is
rtchon'd to hare a good Matljcmatical Head, by all that knorv him, to P)ew
tijat our Brethren had no fuch great Caufe of Triumfh upon this Head. But
Mr. Hoadly it fcems will hare nothing to do with him, till he learns more
Manners (not to fay 'Religion) than to ridicule and infult the Common Trayer
Book, and more Wit than to meddle \with what he under/lands nothit^

«/. * v

Mr. '\r\o2d\y himfelf (nay eyen as Great a Man as Dr. Wailis,) has jtnce

heen chargd with not rightly understanding this Matter, by one that prof effes

with great Pains to hare fully clear d it. I defrd my Friend once more to

coniidir the Matter, with the help of this new Light., and give me hisTho'ts,

itphlch he hath accordingly done 5 and with his leayt I here offer them to the

hot Id,

'' Tliat-v'e may ilohtly judge whetlier the Rale in the Common Prayer

" Book, ro find out Eafter for ever, is lit to be Ajfented and Confented to,

** a.s what ^viII hold always (or indeed, at all) True, we muft firft know

" what is tcv be underftood by EASTER-VAT. If a Tearly Memorial

" of our Lord's Refurreftioh, which he would have the Chriftian Church

" oblerve in all Ages and Places, we can't but veliemently fufpeft (if not

'* firmly belitve) theie is no fuch Thing te be found by any Rule what-

*' ever, ef^Tecially wlulft we have a li'eelcly Memorial of it by Scrip-

** tural Au':hority, as we are well perfwaded. We do indeed find

" the Word £4y?er, Afts 12. 4, put into the Text by our Tranflators,

" who were too plainly willing to favour the Thing', but eveu tliey have

" own'd in the Mirgin, that according to the Greek (yrdi;^, Pafcha) it

" fiiould have been, the Tajfoyer, and means no doubt, the plain down-

" rigl'.t Jewifl) PafTovcr, which Herod would have elos'd and crown d with'

" the Martyrdom of Teter. We think 'tis but little in Favour of Eafter-

" day and the other Moveable Fcafts depending on it, or the fixt Ones

" which attend tlieni, that St. "Paul hatii faid to the Galatians, (Ch. 4. 9,

" io,ii.) H9W turn ye again to the weak and beggarly Elements, where-

* unto ye def re again to be in Bondage? Te obferve Vays^ and Mornhf^^and

may

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 229

may be feen by confulting the Common Almanacks ; " 7/>/p^,
and by comparing it with the Table that follows after- " '^^drears.
wards in the Common Prayer Book, to find out Ea^er "^ "^^^ ^-
Day for ever. So that here was a Book to be AfTemed "Z*'^'^ °f

^ '\ypu, leji

" / haye
" hep6'a>''d upon you Labour in Fain. Nor can we, yet pofTibly come up
'^ to the AflTurance exprels'd in a Synodal Epiflle of the Firfl: Council
"' of Nice ( Lit. Conflant. Ecclef. &' Epifc. qui Concilio non inter fue-
" runt ; ) that whatever is decreed in the Sacred Councils, of die Bi-
*' fhops is all to be taken for the Mind of God : We want a furer
«' Word for it, than any we have yet met with ; fince, as Protefiant!:.,
." we look on all Men to be fallible; andjwith the Church oi En^hnd hold,
6* that even Councils may Err, and havede err. We yet can't lee that the
f* Canons afcrib'd to the Apoftles are truly Canonical, or indeed Ge-
<^' nuine •, fo that ('according to the Seventh or Eighrh of them) if any
*« Bifhop, or Presbyter, or Deacon keep tlie Sacred Pafchal Day (^Sacr.
«« Pafcba Diem) before the Vernal Equinox, with the j^eivs, ht is to be
«« depos'd. It does not appear tliat the N^cene Council had any fach Ca-
«« non lying before them.

" If it befaid (as it feemsto be agreed by all who defend the Rule
'' for finding out Eafter) diat Lajler-Dciy is, that which the Council of
" Nice has directed; it might perhaps bear a Qj.ieftion, wiietherthe more
" Ancient and Original Pafcha of tlie Chriftbns were not a well defign-
•-• ed compliance with the Jcws^ who were ^o generally zealous of the Law 5
« that is as far as Chriftianity could admit; it may be as to tlie ufe of
<•' Unleavened Bread, or the like.

" Evn the Apoftle Paul fays to tlie Difciples at Ephefut, (Atts j8. 21.)
*" I mufi by all means keep this Veajl that cometh in Jerufaiem. It may be
" other Chriftians who could reach it might do the like; and diat at leaft
^^ the Chriftian Jews^ who were fcatter'd up and down amongft the Gen-
" tilei would p'ay fome regard to the Time of the PafTaver, And it may
'' be quefiion'd, whedier, if there were to be a Chriftian Pajcl)a (fo ic
" was ever call'dj by die fame Greek Name with the Jervijh Pa (lover) ic
" fliould not have been ftill guided by the Time of the /en?///; Paflbver,
" as founded upon God's own Appointment, Exod. 12. Tiiey who would
^ keep a Yearly Memorial of our Saviour's Refurreiition, could not do it
«' more properly, than lliortly after diat Solemnity, which would nam-
<« rally bring to remembrance his Crucifixion, WHEN CHRIST OUR
« PASSOVER was Sacrificed for us, (i Cor. 5. 7.) It might not in-
" deed be fo agreeable to keep the very Day of thePaffover for thatPur-
" pole, as the Quarto decimani, who had die Nanie from obferving die
" Fourteenth Day of die Firft Month as dieir Eafter; nor that diey fliould
*' be Feafting, when die greater Part of Chriftians were folcmnly Faft-
y^ ing, as is intimated in the forement\on'd Epiftle: Yet they are not
« there cenfur'd for counting the Firft Month after the Manner of die
«' 7eKT5, as it might be alter'd and made later by their Embolifms, or the

Q. 3 and

2^0 The LIFE of Chap, X.

"incerca- and Confenced to, that was inconfiftcnt with itfelf.

«'htingof How could they Ajfent and Confent to all, and every

*' ^ Thir- Xcing contain d m this Book, when they found in it a-

^^^f^^'] moiia other .Thines a Table and a Rule that clafti'd,
"Mondi o .=» J

"(which

" tliey call'd Vc-Adar, <j. d. another Adar) chiefly ro bring up their Lu-
*' nar Ycir ro the Vernal vtquinox, of which it muft tall Oiorc about E-
*' leven Days in the Srft Twelve Moons, and about Twenty-two in the
" next, and therefore they added a Thirteenth Month co»the Tliird Year,
** and after as occafion requir'd.

" The Synodal Epiillc" does indeed infinuate (but darkly) as if the
" Council rPckond it fcand i'ous, that the Jews had any Occifion to boaft,
" that the Chrifllans co id not keep tJieir Moveable Fc-ail? without the
*' help of the jefpijh DoOrine or Directions. It may be for fonie luch
" Reafon, and for an eallcr way of reckoning the Nicene G>uncll might
•' be for a Firft Month of their own, widiouc being ty d to that of the
*' /(?wj; yec ftill were for guiding their Pafcha, or Eafter, by the Four-
*« ttenth Day of the Firft Month, but not without-attending to the Vernal
*' JEquir.oK.

" It does not indeed appear that the Council did by their Canons or any
*' way direft any Thing farther about Ea/ier-day, than that they
" judg'd it right the whole Chriftian World fhould obferve one and the
« fame Day : And reckond it very abfuvd that the Jewilh Cuftom fliould
*' be followed in keeping that Feaft. They appear to have left the
t' Fixing or Finding of it, to the Mcafures and Rules then ufed by tlie
•' Roman Church, without intimating what they were. But it feems to
** have been prefumed rather than proved, that the Council, or however
•' the R(>man Ufage, fix'd Eaftet'day to be the next Sunday after the firfr
♦* Tull Monn^ vphich happens on^ or next after the Kr«4/ yEquin,x ; but^ if
•' that Tull Moon fall upon a Sunday^ then the Sunday next following to be
•' Fafier-day.

'* Now inftead of faying rhe Firft Full Moon that happens on, or next
** after the Fcrnal Equinox, theR»)le in the Common Prater Book ro find
«< Eafter for ever, fays, the firft Tull Moon that happens next after tite One
*' and ttventicth Day of March. 'Tis -true that at the Time of the Flift
** Council of Nice, it was all one to fay, the Vernal yE^ivtJOx, or the One
*' and tv?entieth of March, on whidi it then fell. But if they either fiid,
•' or intended the Vernal Equinox for all Time coming, our Ru.'e can-
't not always fhow the Eifter-dsy by them deffgn'd : When as the Vernal
" i^uinoxfalls now about the Ninth or Tenth of March : Nor can it be
*' rc-afonably thouglit, hiitthat the Council of iV/Vf, defign'd tha"- Eaper-day
V- fhonld attend the real Vernal yCquinox •, oiherwife tiiere fhould have
** been no mention of that, but only of the One and twentieth of Marthy
f' whir'? ' '^ ' r time only happen 'd to be the Vernal v^quinox, and would not

one

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 151

one determining this to be Eafter Day, and another a- " t>e Co in
nother Day. If the Rule be true, the Table is falfe. " Time to
If the Table be true, the Rule is falfe. And they tho't "corae. If
it a grievous Cafe, that they muft be turn d out of their " ^^^^^^^^^^

«' that the Rule in our Common Prayer Book were fa/rlycap^bleof thebenfe
" lately put upon it, as if it had been faid, theF«// Moon {on^ or) next after the
** One and ttffenthth of March, yet it would not (how the true Eafter^day,
" or that whi'th the Church of England has profefs'd to take for true ;
" fince the Council of Mce is what it has pretended to follow.

*' But as to the Senfe, which has been fo lately put upon the Rule,
'■' it appears altogether forc'd and taken up only to fcrve a Turn. For
" let it be cbferv'd, That the Word [After] is three Times ufed in the
*' fame Rule. Eafier-day (on which the refi depend) is always the firfi 5m«-
«< day after the frji VullMoon, here 'tis intended after that Full Moon, toge-
*' therjwith the Day on which it falls is over and ended : And fo again in
** the laft Part of the Rule. And if the TuU Moon happens n^on a
" Sunday^ Eafier-day is the Sunday after ; that is, after the former Sunday
'* with its following Week-days are dVer and ended. Bat now where 'tis
*' faid in the fame Rule, the frfi Vull Moon that happens next after the One
" and twentieth Day of March. They would have the Scnfe to be After
■" the Beginning of the One and twentieth Day 0/ March : A Conflru£tion
*« very differing from, and indeed contrary to the foregoing and t'ollow-
** ing Ufags of the fame Word, and to the EngUfh Idiom, or rather to
*' the proper Way of fpeakingin whatever Language : Nor does it appear
** that there is an Inflance parallel to what they would here make. The
*< learned Dr.Wallis who has given a large Account of the iaclufive way of
" reckoning in other Languages, does yet exprefly obferve, that it is not
" fo much in Englifh, 'Tis true, that in our Verfion of the Bible,
.*' there are fome literal Tranfiations which could not fo wellbs juftify'd or
" excus'd, if there were not fometimes a Doubt about the Senfe, and that
*' it is fo well known to be a Tranfiation. But neither does it appear,
" that the Rule under Confideration is tranflated, nor is there any Notice
'* given that the firft [After] is to be underftood otherwife than as is ufual
" in Englifh. And let us put the Cafe, that the Moon comes to be Full the
" firft Moment of March theTv/enty-firft, can it fitly be faid to be Full after
*' iheTwcnty-firft, when'tisnotFullafteranyPartofit, for ' tis known to l>e
'* immediately, though not vifibly decreafing after its Oppofition to the
*' Sun : Or if we will have it called ftill a Full Moon to the End of
*' Twenty-four Hours, let us then fuppofe that the laft Moment of its
" Twenty-four Hours, falls in with the firft Moment of March the
" Twenty-firft, Ihall it then be faid, that a Full Moon happens u^on March
'« the Twenty-firft, and alfo upon the Day foregoing ? What Confufion
»• would that make?

«* Upon

2^2 The Lift, of Chap. X.

Livings, becaufe they could not

t Baxter', Tlnnconformity Sta- p^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ . ^j^Q^^h in many

ted nnd^^^ud^yngtSi. Hjs Years, they were diredlv cont, a-
T/ea for Peace V^g, l6o H. ^ j^^. ^^^

Defence of the T/ea for Teace, .^r ^c i t- n r

page 8 1. The-PeaceablcVekn: 1^^^^/ ^as bm a Trifle, yet for

Being a Modeft Account of the Perfons to be obhg d CO Confent

Ik'onconfnrmifli Meeting , with to that as true, whichin many Ca-

fome Rcafons for tbei/ Nonconfor- fes they knew to be falfe, was no

?w;>jr, Oil. 1675. page 26, 27. fmall hardfhip f.

3. They mnft Confent to read Apocryphal LefTons
in the Publick Chnrches, which they could not A-
grce to, becaufe of fuch fabulous Legends of Tohit and
hisD^^; Bff/Zand the Dragon; Judith SLnd Baruch, Sec,
Thcfe they found were not only to be read wholly
an J intirely, Morning and Evening for Two Months to-
gether, but all of them alio under the Title and Notir

*' LTpon the Whole, If I could fee that the Rule might he fairly fo un-
*' dcn'tood, as to reconcile it to the Table in the Common Prayer-Book
" for Forty Years and to the Common Almanacks, 1 would congratulate
'' tlie Succefs of fo many fcveraj ElTays, and fo much Pains beftow-
" ed. Nor have I the Leifure or Inclinatioii to lay out half the Time
" or Labour' to condemn the Rule as perhaps four or five learned
*' Men have feverally done, one after another to clear it. But if it
" would well bear the Senfe put upon it at laft, I cannot yet think it
*' would agree with the Council ot AVfe, as it is not only pretended
*' but flrongly pleaded. It might be added, that the Nineteen Years Cycle
*' of the Moon, depended on for fixing oiEaJier^ is tnown by the Learned
•' not to bi exaQ, but would fenfibly fail in lengtii of Time. What has
" been here faid mayferve 1 hope at Icafi to excul'e Non-conformifts in fuf-
*' pe(^ting the Rule for finding outEafler : and if either they have not fuiTi-
** cienc Skill, or u{c not the rtquifite Application to take i: right; let it
*' be confidcrcdi chat this Point was always far frombcin^, or being by
" them accounc'.d their only or main Objeftion to Conformity.

" Whether I may lela dilpicafe in being lefs pleaiant now than before
*' with the Eccleliafiical Moon, 1 kr.ow not: But as that was confefltdly
'* no Creature of God's, fo neither did 1 then apprehend it to have been
" fuci'i an Ordinance, or Creature of Man as I might not make free with,
** but I now heanily b(g Ptrdon for anvThing that might be, or feem in
** me unbexommg in my former P.^per. B.it 1 am afraid Whether any
" Thing will be ;)dmiticd to clear the poor Diflenters, till Providence
'• ] ieud iheir Caiut ^ as I c-^n't but think it will fometime do, to the Con-
" Vid'tiwn of iJiiir unkind Brethren.

on

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 239

on of Holy Scripture. For fo in the whole Lump toge-
ther they are filled in the Order, without any Note of
Difcrimination to make a Diftindlion between one and
the other. In the mean while in the fame Order (as ap-
pears by theKalendar) fome Books of the Sacred Canon
arewhoUy left out, and never to be read ; fome of them
within a very little; fome of them but half to be read;
and many of them Mutilated and Ciirtaird as to feveral * Mr.
Chapters'^". OUyfle in

his DeF. of
Min. Conf. p. JU SZc. won't grant that Miniflers are ordered to read the
jipocrypba/ Lejfons^ hut vpHI haye it left to their Difcretion : And fays, that
when the M^nifler ben^im or ends an Apocryphal Lejfon, he may tell the
Teople that it is Apocryphal, and fo prevent all Ahufe. Mr. Hoadly in Rea-
fon of Conf. p. l 2^, i 24^ cannot fee that it is unlarrful to read Books in the-
Church, in which there are many ufeful and excellent Things, as well as
fom^ few Relations fufpe5led to be fabulous -, and fays, that if it may be
done without Sin^ 'twere much better to read a great many ufeful Tilings, and
amongft them a Fabulous Story once or tyoice in a Tear, than to divide the
Church under this pretence. And adds, that the Church has fujficiently diflin"
guipyd between Apocryphal Books andCanonical Scripture : That fome Canonical
chapters may be improper, and unintelligible, and many Apocryphal Leffons are
of more Ufe, and more to Edification: And affirms, that we cannot prove any
one was ever led by the Order about reading the Leffons, to equal the Apocry-
phal Books with the Canonical', and he never knew or heard of an Infiance,
My Reply maybe fetn, Def. of Mod. Nonconf. Tart 2. p. 24.7. &c. in which
among other Tlnngs, I give Mr. Hoadly an Infiance of one in the furprizin^
Storm of Wind in 1 70 3, who being affeCled, was for reading a Chapter, and
fixd on one in the Apocrypha \ and being reprov'd by a Grave Minifier, (front
whom I had the Pajfage) freely told him, that he took the Apocrypha to haye
heen as truly the Holy Scripture, as any that was bound np in his Bible. And
he that would fee more on this Head, may befdes that Reply of mine, confult
Mr. OllyfTe'i Second Def. of Min. Conf. p. 219. Mr. Hoadly'i Def. of the
Reafon o/Conf p. 94. and my Def. of Mod. None. Tart 3. />• ??5, C^ 408.
All which put together, may I think, help any one to judge in this Matter.

I P) all only add, that the Reading Apocryphal Leffons was contrary to the
Ancient Council of Laodicea, Can. 59. which forbids their being read in the
Church. Tl)e Words are thcfe : Non oportec Libros in Ecclefia Icgerc, qui
funtextra Canonem ; fed folos Vac N. T. Canonicos Libros: And that the
'Reading Lejfons of Canonical Scripture, infcad of the Apocrypha, was one of
the Amendments agreed to, by the Archbijhop of Armagh, the Bl/ljop of Lin-
coln, Dr. Prideaux, Vr. Ward, Dr. Bionwrigg, Dr. Featly, Dr. Hacker,
f^c. when they met together by the Order of the Lords, at the Bijhop of Liu»
coin's j» Weftiniiifier, in 1641.

This

254 The LI F H of Chap. X^.

This was what they could not by any Mea:ns approve
of. For tho* they could freely own there were many
valuable Things in the Apocryphal Books with all their
Faults, yet could they not have foch a Degree of Re-
fpc(fl for them as to think them fit to be read in Churches
in the Room of the Holy Scriptures. They were here-
in confirmM by finding even the moft celebrated Bilhops
and Dodtors of the Church owning there were many
Relations ii^ferted in them, that wereFalfe and Fictiti-
ous. And they were afraid of contributing to the mif-
leading o: a great many weak and ignorant People,
(of which there are but too many in the Nation) to
fancy them of equal Authority with the Holy Scrip-
tures; of which there is therefore the more Danger;
* Bixter'i becaufe in the Order of reading the Leffons, the Title
jior.confor- of Holy Scripture, and Old Teftament is given to the
7nity Stated Apocrypha *.
and Ar-

gu'd^ page B6. His Flea for Feace, page i66. Corbet'5 Bemains^ page
J 59. The Letter jrom a Minifier to a Ferfon of Qj^^Hty^ pjewing fame ReO'
fons for hli Nonconformity. Troughton'5 Afology for the Nonconformifts,
page 31. Eleutherii Q. e. Hickmanni) Apologia fro ejeiiis in Anglia Mint"
fihs^ page 50, c^f.

. 4. They muft Confent to the Miftranflation of the
t Mr. Pfa/ter t.
Ollyflfe, /«

his Def. o/Min. Conf p. 74, 5^c. fays it is only a Miflranjlated F falter they
Confent to ufe at worf}^ without con fcnting to the Afijirarfation But he does
Tiot know that he's ohligd to ufe it. A Minifier he "^hlnhs is at Liberty to
eho'yfe which Ferjion he pleafes : And he does not fee why the Old J^erf.on may
not he Lawfully ui^d. ^Mr. Hoadly, Reafon of Conf. />. 152- fayi-i that the
Declaration of Jljfent and Confent touches this Tranjlation no farther^ than to
oblige to the Ufe of it in Fublich W'oYJhip : And if a Tranjlation, tho" faulty^
Way not be usd in the Churchy 'twould he fays^ be hard to J7)ew a Tr an fatt-
en that is Ferfcc}j or one thai has ^ot greater Tailings than what is here pro-
duc'd. My Reply, Def. o/Mod. None. P^/r^ 2. f. 259, (?>tc. was this. That
fchen a Man Affents and Confents to the Ufe (to go no farther) of the Com-
won Frayer Bo'.k, he feems to Affcnt and Conf nt to the Ufe of the F falter in
the Common Fraycr Book, which is alfitnention'din the Title Page of it-, and
I cun''t fee how he is afterwards at Liberty to exchange it for an thcrF falter :
Tfyat while the Miniflers who were Ejciied apprehended the lafl Tranflation of
the F falter better, tJ)ey nv'ght well be backward to bifid thcmfehes to Ufe a
worfe : That it was a great hardfhip for them to he put upon owning that
there 79as nothing in the F falter that was a Fart of the Common Frayer Book,

The

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 235

The Pjalter is particularly mendon'd in the Verbal contrary to
Declaration required of every Incumbent. It rouft be *^^ ^ord of
AiTented and Confented to, as having nothing in it con- ^'^^7 ^J^en
trary to the Word of God. To this they could not a- ^^^ A> ^'^e
gree, becaufe they found feveral Miftranilations in the J!^f^ ^''^
OidVerfion of the Pfalms^ which was indeed more ac- V T^
commodated to the Septua^mt than to the Orignal Ht^ thlnmn
brew. In Pf. 105.18; Onr Pfalter reads the Words ^^ '^7w^*
thus, ayid they were not obedient to his PVcrd: Our Bible would fee
reads them, nnd they rebelled not againft his TVcrd. Thus more of this
therefore they Argu'd. One Particular contained in the Matter^may
Book of Common Prayer is the Tranflation of this Text, confuh Mr.
But if the Tranflation be true in the Pfalter, it is falfe OllyffeV
in the Bible : And if it be true in the Bible, it is falfe ^{(»»dDef.
in the Pfalter. How could they give their j^ffent, that ^ ^'"^
they rebelled, and rebelled not? *Tis the like in fome other ^"^* ^*
Cafes. Now they could not approve of that Pfalter as y^'n »
entirely agreeable to the Word of God, in which they j)^^ V j^
found fundry plain Miftakes. Reafon of

Conf. p.
1 01. And my Def. o/Mod. None. Z'. 558.

I /f)alL only add, that the Reading Pf alms according to the l(ei9 Tranflation^
was another Thing agreed to, by the Archbifhop 0/ Armagh, and other Bijhop
and Doctors at the Dean of Weftminfter'i in 1641^

■■\ . , . \ .

5. They muft AfTent and Confent to St. Athdnafim
his Creed. In whicn Creed there is this Exprclhon,
which Faith except every one do l^eep whole and undcfi/ed ^
without Doubt he fhnll perifh Everlafiingly. This to our
Fathers feem'd very harfli. Tho' they approv'd of the
Creed in general as heartily as their Brethren, and e-
fteem'd it an excellent Explication of the Doctrine of
the Trinicy, yet could they not look upon themfelves
as fo far caU'd to Judge other Men, as to conclude, all
certainly Damn'd for ever, that are not fo well skill'd
in that Myftery, as not to believe every Word there
written. One of the Articles of this Creed is this;
The Holy Ghoft is of the Father, and the Son. In this
Article the Greek Church hath differed from the Latin,
and held that the Holy Ghoft proceeds from the Fa-
ther only. And it is by Confequence imply *d, that
the Greek Church muft be held undoubtedly Dam-
ned, which was an uncharitable Cenfure, in which

they

2^6 The L IFF- of r>. X.'

* Mr. they durft not Cone ir* Withal, foinc of che Ejected
Ollyffe /« Miniiters, ' as well :\s rnany of coofe who Conform'd)
hU Def. of confiderinp rhe g.^odi)ef«; of God, c^c. were of *:0 iarge
Min. Conf. and exccnlivea Cbariry, a<; ro apprehem^ rh-i!: whoTo-
t' '$j ^6 ; ever vvalk'd (incerejy up en his Lighr^ wth a general
r^l n /^^P^"^3"^^ f'^ his unfeen Errnur?, Was in k i^teof
c-^"^ '^ Acceptance with God, by Vertne of the Covenant made
Z^nJkL^ "^^^^ -^^'e" .'f^^>.-7, and hhah^ &c. * Novj foch, tho't k
the Kin-hth unreaionable to before d to renounce fo miich Cindour
.Artfcie of ^s fhis amounted to, r;]] they faw raort^ Reafon alledg'd
th^ Church ^han they couid meet with, on the behalf of this Prirv-
*f Eng- .ciple ; Thae whofoiver did not piiyiFiunlly believe the Athi-
land, in nafian Creed muk undoubtedly Perijh f.
Order to

our being qualified for the Publick Exercife of our Miniftry^ according to the
Toleration A6l^ v^hen I mention d thU phje^ion jrom the Alhanafian Creed :
Jind l)€ pities iyje upon that Account^ p. So: But I confefs I cant fee why
that Pjoiild hinder my tnc^iikuinq; this Exception which it is well hnown they
Tery generally ryiade and la':.i ftref> upon. And Afr. Hoadly, Reafon of Conf.
f \%^S fays., that tho" there is nothing in the Athanafian Creed but what may
i>e faid with a good Confcience, yet he dont fee how the Publi(k Service would
fuffer^ were there ?io damnatory Sentence erer read in it. Nay^he's: of Opinion^
that the DoClrine of the Trinity would be better fecur^d, and this -very Ac-
count af it better receiyd^ without fuch Sentences than with them. In my Re-
ply, Def. of Mod. None. Part i. p. 264, i6^ :, I teU Mr. Ollyffe (which he
feems to ha^e, known nothing of) that the Dijfenting Minijlers about the City,
in a Body gave in their Senfe of the Articles when they fuhfcrib'd them, and
rnnonfr the reft of this Eighth Article:, in the Olofs upon which the damnatory
Claufes of tins Creed, are exprefly excluded the Subfaiption, tho' ftis there ad-
ded info many Words) they are part of the Liturgy, Ajfented and Confented
to. This was Printed under the Title of, T\ icliard Baxter'5 Senfe of the
Subfcribed Articles of Religion -, Printed for Benjamin Cox in Ludgate-
Street, 1^89. in Quarto. And there was fame thing of the fame Tiature
done in fever al Parts of the Country. We that have fubfcrib''d the Article.Sf
have in this refpefl only made it known to the World, that we belieye thi^s
Creed, but we hare by no means declared our Belief that all thofe ^jould ever-
lartingly Ptrifli, or cannot be Sav'd, tJfat are of another Belief as to fome
Claufes in it. And I know feveral, who did they difcover arty Reafon to think
this would not hold, would Renounce their Subfcription to the Articles, as
fublickly as ever they made it. He that defires to fee msre about this, may
confult Mr. Ollvfrt'^ Second Def. of Min. Conf /'.a??. Mr. HoadIy'.$ Ut^.
iff tife Rcqfon of Conf. p. 102. And my Def. of Mod. None. p. ^^.H.rir^it.
t 7'l)c Peaceable Dejign, page 14, 15. Baxter'* li'onconjormity Stated
and Argud, ^: I ^:^. His Plea for Peace, page 19 1. Corbet'i Kew^w,
i>3ge 154.

6. They

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 237

6. They myft AlTent and Confenc to this Rubrick,
at the End of the OSce for Confirm a f ion ^ that nonf
Jhall be ndmit*ed unto the Holi Communion, until fuch
Time as he be Confirmed^ or be ready and defnous to be ^
Confirmed^ i /n^^*

of Min.
Cofif. p. 83 ; fays^ That Terfom may be dejlrous to be confirmed, rvho yet by
fome Things [erupted in the Office^ may be hindered from being acfua/fy Cr,n'
jirmd /V/r. Ho^diy, Realbn of Conf. p. 1 34, fays^ This U^a great Grievance
indeed^that all admitted to the Communion fhou/d be ohtig d folemnly before the
Btfhop to own their Baptifmal Covenant, and have his Frayers ! &c. But it
feems to have been the aim of the EcclefiajJical Settlement, to have Terfotts
kept from the Communion for their Scruples in this Cafe, which the ejeShi
Minifiers durft not concur in : j^nd whofoever made light of it, it tvas tu
them a great Grievance for Perfons to be kept from the Communion, ''till a Bi-
f)op laid Hands on them, and ceicit'y'd them by ihac Sign of God's F.ivour
and Gracious Goodnefs towards them, which is the Exprefjton us''d in the
Office, to fuch as are Confirm d. They could not fee how this could be iufii-
fed. See more in my Det". of Mod. None P. 2. p. 264, &c. Mr. OUyffe'f
2d Def. of Min. Conf. p. 257. Mr. Hoadlv'5 Def. of the Reafon. o/Conf.
p. 102. Def. of Mod. None. Part 3. pag. 558, and^ii.

. Now the' many of the Ejeifled Minifters were very
defirous to have Confirmation reftored, and tho'c it
would be exceeding ufeful, if manag'd with a becom-
ing Gravity and Serioufnefs, . yet to deny Perfcns the
Communion for refufing to be Confirm'd in the Epif-
copal Way, was whac they knew not how to juftifie.
They found it was a Thing fcrupled by many Perfons :
And were their Scruples juft or unjuft, while the
fame Perfons were willing to own their Daptifnial
Covenant underftandingly and feriouily before the
Church, and their own Pallors, and to know thofe that
labour'd among them, and were over them in the Lord,
and efteem them in Love for their Works Sake, and to
be at Peace amongft thcmfelves, they duift not for
their fcrupling this Diocefnn Ceremony, caft tbem from
the Communion of the Church of Chrift. And there-
fore they durft not declare their Approbation of the
Order that required it, nor Affent and Confent to it,
nor Subfcribe chat it is not contrary to the Word of ^ „
God*. ^Baxrer'i

mnconj^r-
^>ty Stated ard argudj P^ge 97, &c,

Thcfe

238 The LIFE of Chap. X.

— — — • ^

Thefe were the Reafons which they alledg'd, and
Printed, and Publifti'J, for their refufing that Ajfent,
Confcnr, and Subfcription, to tlic Book of Common
Prayer, and all, and every Thing therein contained,
which was a Second Thing ftraitly required by the A^

of 'Uniformity.

* Mr.Ol' 11^' They were alfo required to take the Oath of C/t-

lyfle in his nonical Obedience^ and fvvear Subjedtion to their Ordi^
Def.o/Min. W'^ry, according to the Canons of the Church *.
Conf./'.86;

fays, That thif Notion of Smearing to the Canons^ was firfi (farted byMr-'BiX"
ter in 89 : and is not conjijient with what he had advanced el fewhere : jind
wou/d infnuate that the Canonical Oath no more obliges to fubmit to
the Canons J than the Oath of allegiance does ^ and charges the Notion
adyanc^d with many jibfurdities. Mr. Hoadly alfo^ Reafon. of Conf. p. I gd,
&c; is dijpleasd with my inferting according to the Canons of the Church,
which Words are not in the Oath : and intimates that a Man may he ordain d
in the Church of E. without taking the Oath of Canonical Obedience : (fame
would hay c ihank''d him, if he had told them wlnre, and by what Bipjop',)
and fays, that the Meaning of the Oath is no mere than this : I fwear that
I will yield fuch an Obedience as is due, according to the Laws of Chrift's
Clmrch, from an inferiour Presbyter to his Bifhop, provided he enjoin
nothing but what I apprehend in my Confcience to be lawful and honeft.
hh'ch Oath (he fays) fuppofes, that every Thing he commands may be un-
lawful ; andean have no Eefrence to the Canons, but as they are the Matter
of a particular Eifhop's Injun^ions '.^ and then leaves a Liberty of demurring
upon them; and can refer to none but future Commands : And therefore he
gives it as his Opinion, that the Objections here drawn from the Canons, are
no more ObjeCfions againfi taking this Oath, than a'^amfi taking the Oath of
Allegiar.ce. Tt which I retly, Dcf of Mod. Conf. Fart. 2. p. 274: 7'hat
the proper Meaning of the Word Canonical, is according to the Canons : And
tl)erefore Canonical Obedience, mufi be Obedience according to the Canons.
If hen we fwear Alle^i^ianre we bind ourfelvcs to the Laws that provide for
the Defence and Support of the Fcrfon, Crown, and Dignity of our Prince, and
the Succeffion a: fettled : Other Laws we are obUg''d to under our Con[fitU'
tinn, by f^ertue nf the Confent given by our Keprefentatives in Parliament j
which I cannot find tlte Canons of i6o^,havc, to make them binding : But
they tl)at fwear to thtir Ordinary, are by that Swearing deftgnd to be bound
to obey him Canonically ^ and the Canons are explain'' d and inforc'd by the Bi-
P)ops in their fufitation Difcmrfes ; and they are the Standard by which they
try fuch as ftpeav Obedience to them. Thefe Canons are the Liws according
to which Obedience is due from an inferior Presbyter to I/is Bifliop, in
that Tart of Cl.riil's Church winch is call'd the Church of England / And
therefore I fjould tl-ink the Oath jfjould have fame rezard to them, hijhfps
are not here at-Lii/irty to require what they plcafe, Thty a\e as much oblig'd

In

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 259

In the Form of Making, Ordaining, and Confe- to the Ca-

crating Biihops, Priefts, and Deacons, this Quettion nnns in

is required to be put to Priefts and Deacons at the Time their higher

of their Ordination, l^il^ you reverently Obey your Or- sphere, at

dinary, and other chief Minifters^ to whom is committed ^^^^h^'^^^

the Charge and Government over you ; follovoing with a '" ^"^"'

glad Mind and Will their Godly Admonition, and Jubmit- °^'^ ^'^P'^'

tinz your felves to their Godly Judgments ? The Anfwer !,P' r'^.
1 »j • T -11 r J J t t JL ■ ' TT I therefore I

to be return d is ; I mil Jo do do, the Lord being my Help, „g^-^„i

An Oath alfo is adminiftred to the Ordained of thisy-^^ ^^ ;j,^j.
Tenour ; I A. B. Swear that I will yield True and Can't- Hoadly
nical obedience to the Bifhop of N.— * and his Succef- That vvho-
fors in all Lawful and Haneji Things, ever dc-

figns CO ot-
ficiace as a Minifter in any Churcli, aOs not fairly and honeftly it he do
not firft fatisfy his Conlcience about the Lawfulnefs of Obedience to
fuch Rules and Prefer iptions, as have been laid down and agreed upon by
the Governors of this Church, for the Regulating the BJnviourcf ail tliac
minifler in it, and refolve to obey them : But that as far as I can jud^e,
he Ails neither fairly nor honeftly to frvcar hell obey his Ordinary^ when hit
Confcience it againfi thofe Can^s by which this Obedience is to be re-rulated.
Jlnd this I think, may receiye not a little Light from the Hijiory of Cano-
nical Obedience, from its firfi Entrance i^ito the Church, down to the prefent
Time, which I hare given, Def. of Mod. None. Fart 2. p. 29B, &c. /»■
fhort -y if Obedience to the Canons, when they become the Commands of a Vat'
ticular Bifhop is promifed in this Oath (which is acknowledged) then the Oath
muji be dejign^d to gire the Church AJfurance, that Perfons will obey the Ca-
nons when they are call'd upon to do fo. And they that confider the Canons may
dn this if they pleafe ^ hut for my Fart, I cannot wonder that the ejeficd Mi-
ni fiers fhould be averfe to it. They that would fee more of this Matter, may
eonfult, Mr. OllyfTe'i 2d Def o/Min. Conf />. 246. Mr. Hoadly'5 Def. of
the Kt2^. of Conf. p. 105. Def. 0/ Mod. Conf. P^rt. 3. p. ^^Ojaud ^11.

Herein they could not Comply, for the Reafons fol-
lowing. •

I. Becaufe as all Obedience hath an Eitential Rela-
tion to the Laws and Mandates of thofe whom Per-
fons are bound to obey, fo the Canons of the Church,
fettled in its feveral refpe£live Convocations, arc the
ftated Laws of the Ecclefiaftical Governntent: And
therefore the Oath of Canonical Obedience, w»hich
hath a^ Reference to thefe ftated Laws or Canons of
the Church, appear'd to them, to carry in it a plain
Obligation to comply with them, and fubmit to them,
in their ftated Pradtife, where they had not a "Oirpen-

fation.

240 The LIFE of Chap. X-

.1 — — — — — *' '

facion. And tho* the Obedience, that is in this Cafe

fworn, be limited to Thifigs Lawful and Honefi, yet is

it evidently fuppos'd and taken for granted, that the

Canons which are in Force, do require no other than

fuch Things, without leaving Perfons at Liberty which

Canons they'll obey, and which they'll refufe : Which

was a Latitude which they had not found any Bifh'op

in the Land free to allow to any of their Clergy. So

^ j,j . that tho' in the Oath there be a Limitation in Words,

Fourth f '- y^^ ^^^y plainly faw it was only to be extended to Fu-

Tion Mr i^ye Commands^ while an Obligation to comply with

OllyfTe de-^^^ Things antecedently requir'd by the Canons as Law^

dares they fi^l ^'»d Honeft, was fuppos'd and taken for granted : For

have no certainly the Church Reprefentative in its feveral Con-

manner of vocations, could HOC by thofe who profefs fo great a

Concern Reverence for all its Di£tates, be fupposM to require

with^^ Def. Things of any other Stamp or Charadler. Now pera-

cj Min. (|j-,g f jjg Canons^ they could not be fatisfied that many

Conf.jp'.9(5. Qf jjjg Things therein required, deferved that Chara-

conjefs I ^^^ . |sjjjy^ they ^ere not convinc d, but that many

thl h "/ Things by thofe Cayions requif d to have been the Mat-

tpife : Be-^^^ ^^ "^^^^^ conftant Pradtife, would to them have been

raufeit Ly^'^^^'^'^f''^ ^"^ Dipoojieji ; and therefore they durft not

the Vounda- come under any fuch enfnaring Obligation.

tion of a Whether they had any Reafon or not for thus fcrup-

CoTnnta?id Jing Conformity to the Canons^ according to the De-

to publip) mand of this Oath of Canonical Obedience, let any im-

an Exconi' partial Perfons Judge, when I have briefly fet before

mutiicaiion them the Canons to which they fcrupled to yield Con* ■

"^ ^^l^ formity, with their Obje6lions againft them.

Breakers of g^ ^^^ Yov^nh Canon, * Whofoever Charges the

1 7e anon, « g j^ £ Qq^j^q^ Prayer, with containing any Thing

Minifler *" ^^' '""V *^ repugnant to the Scriptures, he is to be

Tnay b7re- * '^^^ ^'^^^^' Excommunicated, and not reftor'd but by

5K/W by * the Bifhop of the Place, or Arch-Bifhop, after his

his Ordina-* Repentance, and Publick Recantation of fuch his

rytopub- * wicked-Error *.

///?;, by Vet-

tue of the Oath he has tahn. And therefore this feemi to We to be one of
thofe Canons that concern an inferior Clefiymani own Behariour andConduCh
in his Office^ tho' Mr. Hoadly declares himfelf of another Opinion. See more of
this Matter-^ Def. of Mod. None. Tart 2. p. ^08. Mr. Ollyffe'i id Dei, of
Mn. Qoni.p. 284, &c. Def. o/Mod. None. Fart 3. f- 5J5-

Thty

■Chap. X. Mr. Fvichard Baxter.. 241

They could not bind themfelves to conform to this
Canon^ biecaufe tho' it (hould be ailow'J to be an Error,
to bring fuch a Charge againft the Bo"k of Common
Prayer, yet could they not fee that it muft therefore be
at? Error of that Magnitude and Wickednefs, as to de-
fdrve Excommunication. If all, that have worfe Errors
than that can be fupposM to be, muH: be prefentiy ex-
communicated, the Church would remain but thin.
Befides, they could not but eftecm it a great Abiife of
Excommunicatiov^ to have it thunder'd rut againft any
Perfons before they were heard to fpeak for themfelves,
ot told of their Siri and callM to Repentance. Excom'
tnunications of this Kind they duril not publiHi when
commanded, fot fear of offending Chri ft, and injuring
his Servants : And therefore they durft not Promife or
Swear thit they would do it. And as for thofe who >- o . ,
would throw the blame in fuch a Cafe rpon the Com- ,. "^^'f ^
mandot Superiors, they appear d to them to open ^ mit-^ stated
Door to the Execution of any Tnjuftice or Viliany in ^^^ ^y.
the Worlc-i, fuppoling Authority fhould interpofe with a ^^^^ ^aoe
C^ommand . io5, &c.

By the Fifth Canon, ' All rhofe are to be iffo ^n^%-
'^ Excommunicated, (3c. who afiirm any of the Thirty

Nine Articles agreed upon in Convocation in 1 562, to f rhis is
* be erroneouSjOr fuch as he might not with a Cafe Con- another of

' fcience tubfcribe to f. thofe Ca-

nons with
'(phith Mr . Oily ff^ fayi^- they have no manner of Concern-^ Def of Min. Conf.
p' 96. I reply ^ Dbf. of iMod. None. JPan 2. p 910: That I cannot but
reckon they have a great Concern in it, -xphen they may be called on to fubUfh
Excommunications according to it : And 1 rccnmmend it to JW". Hoadly'^
Notice, That this Canon is fo far from beingifePeatd, that its rather confirm'd
hy the Toleration Act. " ^ ; "^

They could not bind themfelves to conform to this
Canortj for the fame Reafons as they fcrupled Confor-
mity to that foregoing. And wirhal, they found the
Words of feveral of the Articles liable to Exccpdon;
and fome of them of fmall Moment and dubious. They
could not fee the Warrant of that Authority afcrib'd to
to the Church in the Twentieth Article.* They knew of
no Charter Chriji had given to the Church to hind Men up
to more than himfelf bath done. Neither could they e-
fteem every Tblngthatis true, an Ariide of the Creed, '

R 0£

^42 The LIFE of Chap. X.

or ncceffary to Church -Communion, fo that all that

Diflcnt muftbe prcfently caft out. Befides, they found

Billiop Jererfi; Taylour overthrowing the Ninth Article

about Oiigin.tl Sin ; and Dr. HnmmGnd refining upon

, the Fourteenth Article, and denying the Seventeenth ;

t BiKter'i -^ ^vhich they had many Followers, who were all by

Uortconfor- ^j^|^ Canon to be ipfo F^Bo Excommunicated. Which

^T ^!i^' ^^^ ^ Thing in which they durft not concur, as eafily

'L^/^f forefeeing, that this would make the Articles an En-

palTioQ gi"e of endlefs Strife and Divifiont

6.1 By the Sixth Canon, ' All tbofc are ipjo faHo to be

* Excommunicated that Ihould affirm that the Rites and

* Ceremonies of the Church of England are Superfti-
' tious, or fuch as being commanded by Lawful Auiho-
' rity, Men who are zealoufly and godly AffecSled, may

^ Th.'.< a/- (, ^^^ ^jjjj J^ gQod Confcience approve and ufe them, or
fo Mr. Oi- I ^g Occafion requires fubfcribe unto them *.

lyffe fayiy

They ha>e

no Concernrffith, ibid. But he fhould haye added, vnlefs they are calld upon

to publifh Juch Excommunications as it threatens, %phich I knot;; not reho can

fecure them from, for all Times to come. Tor tho" fome are for letting thefe

Camas He ajleep, yet others are earnejily defirous they fljould be awahen'd.

Dtf. of Mud. None. :Ban. i, f. ^u^

In this Canon the Church feemed to them to affume
to it felf a moft Exorbitant Power, by laying fo great
a Strcfs upon every one of its Ceremonies, as prc-
fently to Excommunicate Perfons, that Ihould but
reprefent any one of them as unwarrantable. Much
ginore, could not have been faid as to the Ten Com-
mandments, or any Articles of the Creed. But be-
fides, the ejeifted Minifters did efteem the Things a-
bove mentioned to be unwarrantable, and therefore
could not agree ro Excommunicate themfelves, and
fuch as concurr'd in the faiTK Sentiments and Apprehen-
} BixteiNfions with them 4^.

J/onconpjr-

fnity Stated and Argued, page ill.

By the S^cnth Canon, * All thofe are ipfo faBo to

' * be Excommunicated, that fhould affirm that the Go-

' veinment of the Church of E>iglnnd^ by Arch-Bi-

' ftiops, Bifliops, Deans, Arch-Deacons, andchc reft

that

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 243

* that bear Office in the fame, is Repugnant to the ^ Th.sCa

* Word of God *. non alfo

.l^r.OliyfTe
declares they have no Coticern w'tth^ Def. o/Min. Contp. pd. But for my
Fartf . I can't fee how its repealed by the A6t of Toleration^ Dc f of Mod.
None. P^rf. 2. p-^i2. Or if it is repeal'd^ I can't think it vf.U o^ any
Thing the worfe^ either for Minifiers or People in thi Churchy that it conti-
nue repeal''d, without ever being in Force again,

Tho* fome of the Silenc'd Minifters could have gone
farther than others in fubmitting to Diocefan Epifcopacy^
yet take that Form of Government in the Compafs of
it, according to this Canon, and they found it full of
Corruption. The Paftoral Power, which was lodg'd
by Chrift in the Minifters of their refpecftive Congre-
gations, was overthrown ; and the Power of the Kjys
put into improper Hands : And that Bifhops (hould go-
vern the Church by others, in a fecular Manner, even
by Lay-men, who do that in their Name which they
know nothing of; could not in their Judgment be re-
concil'd with the Word of God. And therefore they
durft not bind themfelves to Excommunicate zll fuch, as
fhould pafs but fuch Cenfures upon the Frame of the
Ecclefiaftical Government, as it really deferv'd t f Idem r*

By the Eighth Canon, ' All thofe are ipfo fa&o to be ^/Wpage
' Excommunicated, who (hould affirm that the Form 112.

* and Manner of Making, and Confecrating Bilhops,

* Priefts, or Deacons, containeth any Thing in it re- ■fThifal"

* pugnant to the Word of God ij:, fo is ano-

ther Canon
that Mr. Ollyffe declares he has no Concern with, Def. of Min. Conf. p. <^6,
And I jhall be "very well pleafed^ if the Ecclejiaftical Courts let him always
alone, without calling upon him to publifh any Excommunication that fhouldl
convince him of his being concern d with it.

Tho' it fhould be fuppos*d there were nothing amifs
in this Book of Ordination, yet the Belief of its Inno-
cency could not in the Efteem of the vSilenc'd Minifters
be juftly deem'd a Matter of that Moment, as to be
necelTary to Salvation, or that Perfons fhould be caftout
of the Church for the want of ir. They could not
therefore take an Oath, whereby they Ihould enter ir>- ^ j^
to a Combination of that Nature, as would make them 7^;^ p^„^
liable to be charg'd with the unhappy Confequences *. , j / ^

K % By ^

244 ^^^^ LIbE of Chap. X.

Py the Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Capons, * Such

^ as feparaie themfelves from the Communion of the

' Church of England, and fuch as own thofe feparate

^ Thefe *. Societies to be true Churches, are all to be Excom-

Thrceca- ' municatcd, and only reftot'd by the Arcb-Bilhop*.

ftons alfo

Mr. OllyfFe declares he has m Concern vithy ibid. But if he had had a Lirin^

in fome Bifhofs Viocefes^ in the ,/atfer Jind of h^ing Char],CS tl>e Second's

"Rei'rn^ he'd hare found he had a Concern rvith them to his Sorrorv^ unlcfs he'd

have pubHp) d Excommunications againft fome as honefl Men m afiy in his

tariff),

■, Canons of this Kind they durft not fwcar S-abje-
>6tion to, becaure they tho'c them very unchariLalJe,
Jf a weak miftaken Cbriitian may be a true Chriftian,
tho" faulty ; they could not fee why a miilaken Congre-
gation pf Piaus Perfons, might not be a true Church,
tho* faulty. 5uppofing it granted, That they whofe-
,'paiatied from the. Church of £r;^/^(;</, and fMchasad-
'her'd to them, really were in an Error, yet coyld they
not fee how their Errors could be look'd upon as com-
.^arable to thofe of the P^pijis^ who yet are fo far fa-
vour'd by many of the Prelatical Party, that the Rnman
Church they belong to, is own'd to be ^ true Church.
Neither can it with any Ground be ,affirro'd, that the
ignorance, Erroi; or Corruption pf fuch Separatifts is
haj Tip great, as is difcernable in the M/^w/V^/, Greeks^
AhajJiKeSy Coptics^ Jacobites^ Keflorians^ and. Armenians ;

. who }et are commonly confefs'dtp be true Churches.
The grcarnefsof the Errors of thofe that feparare from
the Church of ErgUnd, cannot niake them ceafe to be
tr.ue Churches, when Churches much more Erroneous,
are own'd to be true. Neither can their being gathefd
and maintained without the Confent of the RuJer, pre-
sently incapacitate them from being true Churches :
For he that would condemn them upon that Account
meerly, muft with the fame Breath difown all the
Churches of Chrift, which were in the World for fome
Hundreds of Years ; who were all in Common in thac
Condition. The Silenc'd Minifters tho't it very fit
to leave thofe to themfcJves, who were fo confin'd in.
their Charity ; as thinking it their Duty to embrace
all thofe as Brethren who feared God, and wrought

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 245

J^ightedtifnefs ; it\dxo efteem all thofe as true Parts of
the Church of Chrift, aniong whom there was the true
Chriftian Faith and Worlhip, how different foever their
particular Sentiments or Modes might be, or wh:it ^ y-^-'j
Failures foever might be amongft them, that were cort- bid'vip- "
fiftent wich an honeft, upright Heart and Life^. jj,^^^ ^^

By the Twenty Seventh Canon, ' No Minifter is

* wittingly to adminirter the Communion to any but to

* fuch as Kneel, >C^vrj;. \ Mr.Ol-

: V , ■ - •> •• - lyftt can't

tellh ^ - - - -- - - --

Conf. p. 99. But wethinki, it vffere better for him to avoid binding hlmfelf
to fttch infnarhig Canons ^ Def. of Mod. Nonconf. Tart 2. p. 315, gi5.

To this they durft not fwear SubjedVlon, for the
Reafons menti6h*d before, under the Head o^ Ajfent fid. ibid.
and Confent ^. pa ae i j 7.

By the Twenty Eighth Canon, * Minifters are re-

* quir'd to refule Communicants coming from other

* Farilhes*'^. ^'^ATrOI-

if the Mjnifler find any Hardjhip in this^ he muft f/jew hh Suhmilfon to the
Biftjop by Petitioning nr Suffering, Def. of Mm. Conf p. 100. Butt hope he'll
gire others their Liberty to think it both wifer and faferto avoid coming under
any Obligation., than to run the Hazard of being fo hamper d^ Def. of Mod.
None. Tart 2. /». 3170

To this ihey could not fubmit, becaufe in fome
Cafes the receiving of Communicants from other Pari-
ihes might be a Duty. As particularly, if the Incum-
bent of a neighbouring Paridi were Vicious or Scan-
dalous, or Divine Ordinances were fo manag'd, as is
inconliftent with the Edification of the Parilhioners.
For them in fuch Cafes to have refus'd to receive Perfons
to Communion with them, would in their Apprehenlion
have been grofly uncharitable \\, H 7^ j;^^^

By the Thirty Eighth Canon, * A Minifter repent- '

* ing of his Subfcription, or afterwards omitting ariy
\ of the prefcribed Forms or Ceremonies, is firft to be

R 3 * fufpended

246 The LIFE of Chap, X.

^ With ' fufpendcd, and then Excommunicate, and then de-
ihiiMr.Ol' ' pQs'd from the Miniftry*.
lyflfe de- ^

dares tley have no Concervy Def. of Min. Conf. />. g6. But thU was as like-
ly to be inffled on^ as any in all the Body of the Canons^ in the Tear^ 1 662,
gutd afternrards, which was the Time that this Chapter peculiarly referred to^
Def. of Mod. None, P. 2. f 518.

This they apprehended might in many Cafes be
ro Confent to caft a Man out of the Church, for be-
ing Coiifciencious • To which they were afraid to
fubmir, leaft they fhould contribute to the filencing
, Tome of thofe who as much deferv'd Encouragement, as

t Id. Ihd. ^^y perfons whatfoevcr \.
jngc II ». ^ gy ^j^^ p^^^y Seventh Canon, ' All that go forBap-
' tifm for their Children, or the Communion for them-

* felves from their own Parilh, becaufe the Minifter is

* no Preacher, to another Parifh that hath a Preaching
' Minifter, are fufpended, and after a Month to be Ex-

J Wiih * communicated t.

thif all'"

Mr. OITyfie th\nh they hare no Ccr.cern, Def. nf Min. Conf p. g6. And
I heartily vri/h he never may find l)imfelf cramped by any Thing of this
Kind : But Jj^nu/d the A^ of Toleration ever be repeat'd^ perhaps fame that
hi wifhes well to^ M'ni/iers and Feople^ may be in no fmall Danger by it.

To this they could not fubmrt, becaufe they appre-
hended there was much more need of driving the
People to preaching Miniiters than from them. And
tho' they did not efteem the Sacraments Null, when
adminiflrcd by ill qnalif/d Mmifters, yet they could
not but look upon it as Sinfal, either to harden an Ig-
norant and Scanda'ous Pcrfon, tliat had intruded into
the Office of the Miniftry in his Prophanenefs, or to

Id. Ibid, encourage People that need better, in being contented

P^S^IIP- withfucha Mniiftcr.

By the Fifty Eighth Cinon, * Every Miniflcr faying
' the PuMick Prayers, or ramiftring the Sacraments, or

• other Rites of the Chnrch, was required to wear a
' decent and comely Surplice with Sleeves, to be pro-

* vide d at the Charge of the Parilh, and that under
I Pain of SufpenfioY).

Chap. X. Mr. Richird Baxter. 2.47

The Surplice as a Symbolical Vcflment*, was what * M-r.Ol'
they found many Learned and Excellent M'nifters had iyffe/;?rc
in former Times been againft : And it was fo fTjalJ a kind/y .x-
Mauer, of fo little real Necefliry or Ul'e, t:nd rbe /'^^''^^ ^/•'^
great Things to be Ey'd in the Bxerdfe of aGofpeJMi- [^«»;^Sym-
niftry, depended fo little upon ir, that even thofe who ^°^'^^ ^°
would rather have fubmittcd ro it, than have been de- ^/V^- ^ *
priv'd of the Publick Exercife of their Miniftry, yet (^^j^f J
durft not concur :n the Sufpenfion of others, who were iqi. n^
more Scrupulous of it than themfeives, upon that kc-Qantfee
count; as they muft have done, if they hadfabjedted/^W the
themfeives to this Canon f- Surplice h

any more
than a Dlfiinclhe Garmsitt., 2d Def. o/Min. Conf. />. 2p5. But BiJIjop
Taylor fays, it fignifies Purity and Truth. Others have [aid it fignifies
Light, and others Alacrity^ Integrity, and theExpeftation of Glory, Sic. How
the Minifers that were ejeCied, knev? of no Authority any have to threaten
Suffenjion upon a Fai/ure in fo frnali a Matter 5 and therefore could not here
join in, Def. of Mod. None. P. 2. p. 320.

t Idem Ihid. 121.

By the Sixty Eighth Canon, * MiniiRers are required
^ to Baptize all Children withoiu Exception, who arc -iMv.Oi-
* offer'd to them for that Purpofe %. lyffe /4)<5,

They are
mt obliged to Bnptit,e all Comers, Def. 0/ Min. Conf. p. 26. and p. I02-
H« fays. That there is no Difference betrveen the Traflice of Cnnformijis notv,
and the T^oiiconformifts when they v?ere in thdr T laces ; and that if this be
rigor oufy purfued, there mufl be a Submijjton ; and that 'tis not to he rt^on-
dered at. That a good Man P)ould in fmie Cafes be under a Necefjity of fuf-
feiing, &c 'Tis anfvperd, the Canon is ycry exprefs. And to go into the
ihurcb, and fmear to the Ordinary, and yet not regard this Canon, is not
fair, a hen the J^onconformifis heretofore Therein Publick Churches, they were
at Liberty to refufe to Baptize ths Children of thofe Paren'^s, as were either
knoxvn not to be Chrijlians, or to be grofly Scandalous ; which is 7tot left by
this Canon, as was own'd at the Savoy Conference, &c. Def. of Mod. None.
^ 322, 323.

Tho' fome of the Silenc'd Minifters were much
ftraiter in their Notions about the quallfy^d SubjeBs of
Baptifm than others, yet they were generally againft
SubmifTion to this Canon, becaute not convinced that
the Children of all Comers, (as of Atheifts fuppofe.
Infidels, Jews, Hereticks or Blafphemersi who might
Upon Occafion, be offer'd as well as others) were fo far

R 4 in

248 27je LIFn of Chap. X.

in the Covenant of Grace, as to have a right to a
Solemn Inveftiturc in the BlelTings of it. And tijl
they were convinced of this by clear Proof, they e-
i^eemcd it too great a Domination over Men's Faith,
to conuiiand Obedience in this Point npon Pain of>
Sufpcnlion. And they Apprehended fwearing Obe-
dience herein, to be a confenting in EiTe(5^, to the
Profaning of one of the molt Sacred InAitutions of oui
U. Ibid. Religion.

By the Seventy Second Canon, ' Minifters were de-

* barr'd the Liberty of keeping private Fafts upon any

* Occalion, or fo much as being prefent at them, with-
' outcxpoling themfelvesto Sufpeniion the Firft Time,

* Mr.Ol-* Excommunication the Second Time, and Depofition
lyffe, Def". ' the Third Time*.
of Min.

Conf. p. ic?, \ c^. fays, That the allowed Times of Faftittg by Law and
"Public Jt Authority do fo frequently return, that there can be m poffible need,
that a Mini fur P)r,uld af point any other : And that the' Canon forbids Vafts
only for Seditious Ends and Purpofes. I anfwer Bifhop Or indil as well as
the Old Puritans were of another Mind. The feditir.us Meetings referrd to
in the Canon were Giindari Prophcfy!n^s ; and fmh Sort of Meetings, none
that Love ferious Religion pould concur tn difcouraging, Dcf. of Mod- None.
Part2.f.yS\.

The Silenc'd Minifters for their Part, could not but
efteem thofe ro be unworthy of that Sacred and Ho-
nourable Function, who were not to be trufted to Faft
and Pray wirh their People, as Occalions might re-
quire, while the Law was open, to punifh all Abufes.
And taking this to be a Part of their Office, they
could no more renounce it, than the Liberty of Preach-
Id. Ibid, ing the Gofpel, when and where the NeceiTuies of
l-age 122. Souls required it.

By the 1 1 2th Canon, * The Miniftcr jointly with the

* Pariih Officers, is requir'd every Year within Forty
' Days after Eaftcr, to exhibit to ihc Bilhop or his

Chancellour, the Names and Surnames of all his Pa-
fhioners, which being of the Age of Sixteen Years,
t Mr 01- ' did not receive the Communion at Eafter before.

V.?i\.here

fays. That a MiHifer may ir/yc an Account of the St^te of his Pariflj to his
liifhop, and yet he not profecute the A'on communicatits, i^c. a)td adds, that the
Minifer is not bound to this by any Promifc j ftrr the Oath doL^ not oblige to ti

With

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 249

With this Canon, agrees the Ru brick which is '^n-difhomfi

ferted in the Common Prayer- Book, at the End of the Thin<r Defo

Office for the Communion ; which requires every Pa- of Min.

rijhicner to Ccmmimicate at the ieaji Three Times in the ^oni. p.

Tear, of which Eafterto be one. And if they refufe after '05 •* But

Prefenration, they are to be excommunicated, and are ^^^'^''^-^-j

Jiable to be confind in Goal tiJl they die, by vertueof '^ ^"^ "'^^

the Writ, de Exccnmunicato Capiendo. ''^^^'^^ *^'7e

• ' Men to

^nakefuch
a Vromife^ or tahe fuch an Oath^ as if kept would draw them into Sin
when it may eajily be forefeen^ U^i.of Mod. None. Tart 2, p. 527, 328.

In this the Silenc'd Minifters durft nor concur, for
fear of the Confequences. If indeed they could have
had any Hopes of forcing their Parilhioners by a Goal,
out of Ignorance Unbelief, and Ungodlinefs, they'd
have tbo*t it a very charitable Work : But while the
due and neceflary Qualifications were wanting, they
did not know but in the forcing them to the Sacrament,
they might force them upon Sacriledge and Profane-
nefs, to their Damnation and Ruin. Withal, they
knew this to be a Courfe, whereby they (hould di-
ftrad: thofe Perfons with Terror, who are Confcious
of their Unfitnefs ; or thofe Melancholy Chriftians
ivho under Temptations, Tremble for fear of taking
their own Damnation. In a Word, they were, con-
vinced this would fill the Church with fuch as ought
rather to be kept away ; occafion the carting of Holy
Things to Dogs ; prevent all poflibility of Difcipline,
and be a Bar to that Purity, which is a great defign of
Chrirtianiry* ^ Baxter'^

Nor.con"
formity Jiated and argud.^ pag. i^"]. Coxhtt^s Kemalns^ page 150.

Omitting the reft, the Three laft Canons, related
to the Authority of Synods : And by them * all were to

* be Excommunicated, who Ihould affirm that a Con-
' vocation fummon'd by the King's Authority, was not

* the true Church of England by Reprefentation : Or
"^ that the Abfent as well as Prefent, were not to be fub-

jedt to the Decrees of fuch an Affembly, in Caufcs Ec-
, fleiiaftical, when raiify'd by the King's Authority : Or

* that

2^0 The LIFE of Chap.X.

t Thefc ' chat their Canons and Conflitutions were defpicable,

three '/afi « d^cf.

Mr. OlIyfTe declares thcj . »iv ns \Li^?irf of Concern with^ Dff. of Min.
CoirP. f. 95. But they may vohen cull J on by their Blfyf) And in fuch
Things a: thefe^ 'tv a little hurU for JPerjwi to bind themfelres to lie at the
Meicy of anothtr.

Thefe Canons, they could not oblige themfelves to

fnbmit ro, hecaufe of che Uncercainty, and dubious and

difputabie Nature of the Matters coniain'd in them,

wliich'ihey (upon that Account) could not apprehend to

to be fit Grounds of (o high a Cenfure as Exccmmuni-

cncioh-. That a Convocation was the true Church of Eng-

• Thertfcr- j^^pd ly l\rprcJcTitation feemM to the filenc'd Minifters very

thyBijht^ juftiy quefhonable, not onlybecaufc the Laity (whom

of >y''Jm fhey tho'c a Parr of the Church) were altogether exclud-

'p J'^^f'^ cd, but alfo bccaufe the Clergy were far from being

P ,' therein fairly reprelented. * As to the Force of the Ca-

^^n^-,n;nrT ^^^^ of fuch Convocitions upon abfent Perfons as well as

the Riulus preient, they apprehended that it depended upon the rar-

of sn En'r. lianienr, whof? Ratification they look'd upon as necefla-

iifh Con- ry,in order tr their having any Force or Significance at all.

vocation, But tho' rhey fnonld bemiftaken in Pointsof this Nature,

page to. which they tho'c had not been fo ftri£lly cnquir'd into

Jupijies

their Demur as to thefe Cnnonsinthii Refpe^l, wJ)CH fpenking of a Convocation^
he ^^nth this remarkable Conceffion : It cannot be calKd 3 true Reprefentative
of . c Chnrcli, tho' it be now a Lf.gil one. In the Lovv-er Houfc, there-
are v./ the Province of Canterbury, T wcnty Deans or more who pretend to fit
there ; cher^' are as mnny Frodors from Chapters^ and Sixty Anh-Deacom,
and about Thircy-eig'it Clcrls chofen by tlie Clergy. So that the Deansznd
Chapters^ who hnd th'ir Authoriry at fird by Papal Bull?, and have now
their Exemptions and JurirdiiTtion? continu'd to them only by a Provilb,
in ^he bia'nte of 25 Htn. VIII. have more Intcreft in liic Convocation
than tile wiiole Body of the Clergy. Thele are all made either by the
King or bv the Birho}>!=?. The Sixty Arch-Deacons^ are all of the Bilhop's
Nomination, and their Authority is of late Date, and bat a Humane Con-
itiuuion. All this is bdides the Intcreff that the Bifhops have in making
tiie He rum? of two only out of all thofc who are chofen in the I'cveral
Aril)-Dcaconries of their Diocefs 5 {o that the Inferiour Clergy can in no
Sort be u>id tobe equally reprefented there. Hhat Pleafurc foeycr fome angry
Zealots tniz^ht take in any Thing that jnight bear hard upon fo great anOrna-
went "f their Churchy there are no unprejudiced Perfons, but think his Lord'
fl)ip deferycs much better Treatment ^ than Canon l 39, // executed, would
afford him.

buc

Chap. X. Mr, Richard Baxter. 251

but that they would very well bear Canvafing, f it t Either
feeni'd to them ftrangely and needlefly fevere, that an ^^^9 ^^'''s
Excommunication muft prefently be Thundred out a- ^'f ^'" '«

the right,
or it bath been to very little Turpofe^ thatv^e have had fo many Writings (and
-many of them bulky too ) lately fuhUpid upon this Matter, and that with
Warmth and Eagernefs. And really it fcemstodif-interefted Standers-by^ pret-
ty remarkable, that after fuch Stifnefs in ajjerting the Churches Authority^ as
to.Ecclefiaftical Matters, it p)ould at laji remain a Controrerfy vphcre this Au-
thority is to be Indgd. ^Tis in the King, fays Dr. Wake, as it rras heretofore
in the Chriflian Emperors, and indeed in all Chrifiian Frinces, till the Papal
Vfurpation. The fame fays Dr. Kennet. / beg your Pardon Gentlemen, fays
Dr. A. that is a Method that tvould fuhvert the Fundamental Rights and
tiberties of the thurch and 'Clergy of England. It would bring in Slavery
into the Church, vfhich will quickly fpread it felf into the State too. A Con-
vocation hath an inherent Bight of framing Ecclejiafiical Canons, as it is an
Etclejiaflical Synod. Each Party hath tonftderahle Abettors, and the latter
Gentleman who undertook the Defence of the inherent Right of the Convocation,
hath (tnce received conjtderahle Preferment^ as a Reward for his Service. Here-
upon the Lord Bi/hop of Sarum in his Reflefiiom, page 7, 8 ^ makes this ob-
fervable Remark. It has pafled (fays he ) gene;rally among the Clergy,
chat Ecclefiaftical Matters could only be judg'd by Perfons deriving their
Power immediately from God : And as the Clergy have their Commif-
iion from him, fo it was a received Dof^rine, that the King likewife had
ills Power from God ; and that therefore, the Church was to be govern'd
by the King and the Convocation : And the Book of Canons being rati-
fied only by the Regal Authority, feems to give fuch Authority to this,
that a Man ought to be mildly corre^led, if it fliould prove to be a Miflake.
It could never be tho't Parliaments were jfure Dlvino ■ fo it was a Con-
fequence fuitable to their Principles, who put our whole Eccleliaftical
Conftitution on the Bottom of a Divine Right, to fhut this within the
Hands of rhofe who they believed afted by a Divine Commiffion. I
(fays he ) was nfver of this Mind. I always tho't that the King was no
brher Way Head of the Church, xhcn as he was the Head of- the State, with
whom the Executive Power is lodged, and who is the Head of th.e Legi-
flative, in Conjunft^ion with the great Body of his Parliament. But this
Author knows how much tJie Doftrine he advances was condemned, 2nd
by whom, not long ago : Therefore a little more Temper were but
Decent, if he tho't fit to find Fault with it. And a little before, fwak-
ing of Dr. A's Maxim, that the Supremacy is not fingly in the Kin or,
but is lodged with the whole Legiflature, he thinks fit to make this
Declaration ; I confefs I was always of this Mind ; but I remember a-
rnong whom this pafled, not long ago, for little lefs than Herefy. jVo«?
'tis left to any one to judge, whether it is not odd and unaccountable, that
we fhould have had f fierce a Contefi here in England, ever fince the Re-
formation about the Ecclejiafiical Authority, and that among them who
hav^ been fcruing it up to the utmofi heighth and Rigour againfl their poor

gainft

25i The LIFE of Chap. X.

D'fentin^ gainft them. And as to the Credit and Reputatiorj^of
Brethren^ the Canons of any fuch Ecclcfiaftical Synods or Convpr
(k-/;i cs«/f/ cations, they coutd not help conceiving that that de-
«c? fee pended more on their Agreeablenefs to the Word of
Things m (rj^^j^ j.},^^^ ^^ ^1^^ Ccmmendations given them by the
^ther nid^^^'^^^^ and their Admirers. But that the Church to
^Jfter 171 ^^^^'^ *^'-^ Saviour had fo often recommended Mildnefs
be ^a ftif ^"^ Gentlenefs, fhould be but a Word and a Blow, and
Content .on '^^^""^^ ^'^^^ ^^^ higheft CenfuTes where perhaps there
Khere it is might bc only a miltake but no Malignity, this the Si-
tote lodgdi Icnc'd Minifters efteem'd not only adting without a "War-
Voth it not rant, but unfuitable to a true Chriftian Spirit, and there-
fare with fore could noc fwear Submiilion.
thh Ecclc-

iiaftical Authority here in England,' as with the pretended InfallibiHty in
the Rom^n Church^ The Fapifis will have it that they have an Intallibiiity
among them fame where, hut where to lodge it they cannot agree: $ome will
ha-re it lie in the Fope, othrs in a Gt)icral Ccundl, and cthrsin both jointly.
So tljefe Gentlemen will have it, that there is a mighty Ecc'Clialtical Au-
thority, (to decree Rites and Ceremonies, and fctile and promote Uniformi-
ty, <StC.) fomewhere or other amongj} them., hut whereto lodge it, they
are not to this Day agreed. Some place it in t1>e King, others in a Conyocati-
en, and others in the Three F.fiates' of the Realm, King, Lords and Commow^
with or withmt a Convocation. And have not Sentimenti in this refpeil
as much vaiyd in cur Church, with Times, Seafons and Circumftances, as
th^y have in the Roman Church, about their Darling Infallibility? And ts
it not manififtly hard that: Canons Piould remain in force, whereby thofe are
to be Excommunicated, who are not clear about the AutJpority of a Convocati'
en, when 'tis'e pen at this Day aeknowledg'd by Contenders on buth fides,
that the Rights and Powers of an Engiifh Convocation have been but little
enqutr d i/tto? Doth not that enquiry which hat It been fo warmly purfu'd^
Tiaturally lead to a farther enquiry into the true Kature, and Extent of that
Ecclefiafiical Authority.^ which our Blejfed Lord the great Lawgiver of his
ihurch hith Ir-d^'d in any hands whatfoever bejides his own f For might it
Tiot as eafily be fuf'^osd much fhould have been taken upon Trufi, and many
9n'fiales committed, about the Kature and extent of fuch Fower, as about thg
hands in which it is lodg'd? Could we but fee a^ mud) Fains taken up'.n thi^
head, as thtre ha^ been upon the other, we could not but hofe for a good Jjfue
Till then we think both our fathers and we arc very ja'.rly iufiljiable in rejw'
Jing Submijfion to Canons, in faming which It Is queftlonahlc whetl^er t})e Ac-
tors did net over-fhott their Authority. Howeva, to ufe the Bifi)op of Saium'i
Thrafr^ we cannot but think that a Man ouglK to be nii'dly ConefteJ, (not
Excommunicated) /'or being Cautlotu and wary in Things of fo duliom a Na-^
ture, tht' it P^ould appear, upon a particular CanvajJIng of his ScntimctttSythaf
he wa< under a miliake.

Baxter 5 Koitconformity Stated and Argud. pag. 123.

Chap. X. Mr. ELichardBaxttr. 253

It hath been pleaded by many, thajt the Oath of
Canonical Obedience^ doth not oblige to approve of all
that is in the Camns. To which they AnCwei'd, that
in their Judgment, the cafe of a Minifter, was much
the fame as that of a Juftice of Peace. . ^

*Tho' ajoftice of Peace be not "^ Mr. OWy^t fays the Cafe of k
bound by his Oath to approve of ^''^»M ^^ «°^ ^'^' ^^'^^ °1 ^ /»-
every Law of the I and, yet he is fi'^^ofFeace Det.o/ Min.Conf.

bound to Execute all of them by f^^oJ, MrMo2dlyf.ysthefan:c,

his Place, when he is call'd to ict. f '^f" f L^' '^''' '

' €- %r \f -A.- 1- t r^ \. lAr It IS fo. andhotPjar not, may

So alfo a Mmifter taking the Oath ^^ .,^;.^/^^^ ^^^^ ,^ ^^^ f^

of. Canonical Obedience, is bound , j^l^d. j^^p^^c. Fan 2. f.r6$i6iQ.
to Execute the Canons^, and particu- -j- /^. ,7,/^^ ^^o-, 22.
larly thofe Canons where Excom-
irsunication isdenounc'd, when cali*d upon by bis Or///-
iiary. It hath been farther Pleaded, that many of thefe
Can' n^a^e difus'd, and fo Vacated; like many Laws of
the Land that are grown otit of ufe. To which, the
Reply tseafie: That many of the Canons before Men-
tion'd and Objected againft, cannot be fo much as pre-
tended to be difus'd ; and many of them were much
lt£s difus'd at that time, when the Minifters were Ejedt-
cd, than they have been at feme tim^s fince:, .But ftjU
fo long as there is neither any Publick Declaration gi-
ven that might help to diftinguifli among thofe Canons,
(which were all enadted by the fame Authority) which
were yet binding, and whvch Superannuated ; nor a
liberty of judging in the Cafe left to private Miniikrs,
fo long this Plea appears without any Force. For let
any of them appear ever fo much difus'd, if the Ordi-
nary thinks fit to interpofe with his Authority fur the re-
viving them, the Oath obliges to Submillion.

2. Another Capital Reafon why they Scrupled at ta-
king the Oath of Canonical Obedience ^ was becaufe they
found the Epifcopal Government managed by Chancel-
Jors Courts, (which were kept in the Bi(hops name in-
deed, while they in the mean time were not fufFer'd to
adt in them) where Lay- men Exercife the Church Keyes^
by Decretive Excommunications and Abjolutions, They
found the Word Ordinary roention'd in the Oath, would
admit of divers Senfes. That it not only meant the
Bifliop of the Diocefs, but the Judges in their Courts.
This is the Senfe given by Couftns in his Tables, and
by all Civilians, And as for the other chief Minifters

added

The L IFE of Chap. X.

added in the Oath, to whom Subjedlion was to be
Sworn, ihey fa\3v not how lefs could be thereby meant,
than all the Arch- Deacons^ Officials, Commijfarys and
r Surrogates, with the reft of the Attendants upon thofe

Courts.

The Silenc'd Minifters durft not bind themfelves

by Oath to a Submilfion of this Nature, for fear of

* Mr. Concurring to overthrow the Pailoral Office * They

OUyik fays could not think the Adminiftration of the Sacraments

tbitt Mini- proper and peculiar to Paftours, if the Keys were not

ficrs are not

hound by Oath to thefe Courts. The Oath of Canonical Obedience has not the
Word Ordinary in it. And he ajftrts that no fart of the Ta/ioral Power is
taken from the Ministers that Chrisi has given them^ Deh of Min. Conf.
p. 109. But if the Word Ordinary is not In the Oath, Uls in the Ordination
Fromife-, which comes much to one. It leaves a great ambiguity ♦, and as
Thin^^s stand is infnanng. For the King is Supream Ordinary. The Arch-
hi/hop is the Oidinary of the whole Trovlnce that is under him. The Eljhop
is Ordinary in his Dlocefs : And yet under this Word are comprizd all fuch
to whom Ordinary JurifdiClion in Caufes Eccle/ia/iical doth of Right belongs
whether by Privlledge or by Custom, See Godolph, Reperr, Canon, /». 23. —
Mr. OUyffe adds, p. 115. That Minljlers are not bound blindly to follow the
Determination of the Courts in any Thing, eJpeciaUy not in Excommunications
and Abfolutlons: And no Conftitutlon can be fo perfect. In which Confclent'iotu
Ferfons may not fame time or other be exposed to Sufferings. Mr. Hoadly
fays, Reafon of Conf f. 152, that he can't fee how this touches the Matter
before us. He does not think I can produce any In/iances of Mini/ters th.n
have fufferd any Thing conjiderable for refufing Obedience. But after all,
he declares It not fair, and that it looks not fincere, for Men fir ji to offer them-
felves to the Mini/try in the Church, which is in cffeU to profefs that they are
ready to Conform to fuch of the Canons as relate to their Behaviour, and art
now In Force, and afterwards to aCl as they think ft, without regard to tkft
Canons. To which let It be added, that the preventing any Thing of this kind,
WM one end of the Oath, (which Is highly probable,) and 1 don't fee that we
need defire much more, in favour of our Nonconformity in this Ke/^e<ff . Thefe
Things I have dijiinllly confidefd, Def. of Mod. None Fart 2. p. 942, Scc.
To which the Reader is referr'd: And he that would fee more of this Matter,
may confult, Mr. OlIyfFe'5 Second Def. of Min. Conf. p. 297 / Mr. Hondly'i
Def. 'f the Reafon 0/ Conf. p. 1^5. And my Def". of Mod. None. Fart 9.

p. 355. &c- d?' />. 41 7, 418. Tor my own Furt, I fhould think it a great

hardfhip to oblige myfelf. To follow with a glad Mind and Will the godly
Admonlcions, and rubmic to the godly Jndgmcnts, of Courts managed by tlit
Canon Law, whici) really have the Ecclejiajiical Fowcr in their Hands^ accord-
inr to our Conftitutlon, while the Bl/f)opi have but tl/e Name.

Chap. X. Mr, Rkhird Baxter. 255

fo too*. For the nloft proper Ufe of the K ys is in a ^id ibid.
way of Judging who is to be admitied to Sacramental/'^^' 34-
Communion, and who debar'd u. If only delivering
the Elements, and not judging to whom, be p oper to
the Paftour, then is he to fee with other Mens Eyes.
Now it was their fied Apprehenfion, that in a matter
of fo great Morpent and Confequence, it was their Du-
ty to fee with their own E>es, and not Adt blindfold :
And that our Lord Jefas Chriit had inveftcd all that
were '^aftours, with that meafure of Power which was
Necelfi'-v in order to the fecuring the dired: ends of
their Office. Such Power its true might be abus'd, and
thereiorc they were not (as fome have charg'd them)
agSiHlt being Accountable in cafe of fuch an Abufe:
But then they at the fame time apprehended that aa
Appeal in fuch a Cafe, would be much more properly
Lodc'd with a Synod, (whofe having a fixed Prefidenc
or Bifhop would not have difgufted the Generality of
them, efpccially if he were chofen by the Synod itfelf)
or with a Meeting conlifting partly of Minifters, and
partly of Deputies from the Neighbouring Churches,
than with a fet of wrangling Lawyers, whofe concern
in fuch Matters they lookM upon as irrational as well
as unfcriptural; and whofe Management of them was
more likely to be Calculated for their own Profit,
than the Credit of Religion, and the Purity of the
Church.

As for the Provifion made by the B^brich, before
the Office for the Communion in the Common-Prayer
Book, vi:(. That when a Miniiler l^eeps any Perfons from
the Sacrament, hejhould xvithin Forty Days give an Account
to the Ordinary, that he might proceed again ft them accord*
ing to the Canons fj they could not acquiefce in it, be- ^ y/,^ g;.
caufe diffatisfy'd as to the Grounds upon which thefe Or- pj^^p and
dinarys (whether they were meer Lay- men, fimple Pref- Vhines wh^

met in the
Jerufalem Chamber in 1 641, reprefented this Kubrick (which the Gentlemen I *'
hare had to do with fo much juftifie) as needing clearing. And it certainly
does fo, if what is advanced in the Cafe of Reg.ile & Pontificate, p. 179.
will hold, (as I don't fee but it will) viz. That an AShlon lies againfi the
Minifiet who jhall refufe the Sacrament, to them who he knows, fees' and
hears in their Conrerfation and Principles, to be neyerfo much unqualified,

byters,

256 The LIFE of Chap. X-

bycer<;, or Diocefans) appropriated the Cognizance of
Matters of this Nacure ro ihemfelves, which in the
Judgment of common Senfe was more proper for thofe
that had rhe Opportunity of Perfonal Infpei^ion, than
for meer Strangers. They were alto confirm'd in their
diflike of this Method of Procedure, becaufe of the
Difficulty, Tedioufnefs, Vexatioufnefs and Expeiifive-
nefs of it ; becaule of the number that muft be accus'd
if the Canons were foUow'd ; becaufe of the great hin-
drance it woujd be to them in their Minifterial Work ;
^ ^^^^ and in a Word, becaufe of the impoflibiliry of keeping
Baxter ^e- vip 2Lny F^eal Difcipline, in fuch a way. In which they
elares that Were much Confirmed by Obfervation and Experience *, t^^

in the 2$

Tears Time that he A'vV under Biffjops^ he never knerp one that wm kept ^bm
the Sacrament except a Puritan, vho [erupted to take it Kneelin^^ 5 Diipu
t3t. of Church CovtrnTnenr. Advert, p. 16. ' . •

t The Church Party themfelves have not been infenfible of Corruptions tn thli
Eefpef}. Ammg others., Bijhop Burnet at the dofe of hit excellent tiijiory.nf
the Reformation., Koies d>at there was one Thing (we could heartily rotfh
there were no wore) yec Wanting to complect' the Reformation of thre
Churdi^ which w;is the reftoiing a Primkive Difci^)Iine agarnVl: 5cand^I«^Us
Pcrfons, the Eftabfifliing the Governmtnt of the Chuich-'iri Eisilefiiftical
Hand?, and taking it out of Lay-hands, who hays fo long pi^pHan'd ir,
and liave expos'd tha Authority of the Chl^rcfh, ia.fid the Cenfut^s of it,
ch'itily Excommunicationy to the contempt oij-tlT6) Ration,; by, which the
Reverence due to Holy Thing?, is, in fo great, a Meifure loftjanddfed-read-
fullcfl of sll Cenfure?^ i^now become the moit Scorned and Defpifed.
A^^rid^cment., pag. \69- -. ■ '.> .

Neither is this the only great DefcCh tvh'ch this Worthy Bifhop hae 9hfeTvd
among «*. ' fr,r in hi* noble Difcourfe of the Partbral Care, p. 95"^ 96, he
hath taken notice of Pluralities and Non-Refidence, as allowed by an ASi
vfhich paft in the Reign of Henry Vlll. which he fays has been the oc'cajion
of much Diforder and Scandal in this Church: Adding.^ that he had not been
able to findf that apy fuch Ait ever faji^ in any kingdom or State in thri-
fiendom. ' And that the Council of Trtnt, had in thefe refpefis made Provi-
fons a'^alnfi Abufes, which art ftiU. fuppcrted by Lavs ar^ong tu.

And as to the fubmitting to the Determinations and
Injundlions of thefe Ordinaries, in which they had not
by this Oath and Covenant fo much as a Judgment of
Dilcrction left them, they durft not engage, or bind
themfelves, for fear of approving Sacrilegious Pro-
phanencfs. For if it be fo fi>r nicer Lay-men uncall'd
and unqualify'd, lo ufurp the oiher Pans of the Pafto-

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 257

ral Office, particularly the Adtiiiniftration of the Sa-
crament, (as ic is generally efteem'd) then they con-
ceiv'd it muft be fo too, for them to ufurp the Power
of the Keys. And if the Bifliops took it for tJfurpati-
on in Presbyters^ to take Upon them to exercife Power
in this Cafe, as fuppofing ic Proper and Peculiar to tHem-
felves, they could not fee, why they fliould not judge ic
much more fo in Lay-men.

As for Excommunications and Abfolutidns they
look'd upon them as very weighty Matters, and durft
not agree to trifle in them. If the Bifhops could truft
their Confciences with their ChancelJours ^, and leave ^ Qg^j.
them to pafs Sentence in their Names, without ever fvey Good-
hearing or trying the Caufss depending; and fufferman,
them to Excommunicate Perfons for them, tho' they Bi/hop
knew not on whom they pafs'd that heavy Cenfure, of Glou-
nor why they did it, it was to themfelves; as the Mi- cefter,
nifters could not underftand it, fo neither could they ^*» '"'^ ^l^'
help it ; and they were not refponfible for it: But whctif^" *° "^^
they brought thefe Matters home to their own Door, ^J^^ My/tc
and requir'd of them, that they alfo (hou Id truft their ^'"» ^^',>
Confciences in the fame Hands, they defir'd to be ex- ^^^ ^^^^
cus'd, till they were better fatisfy'd in the Point. They p^^^j^^e an
could not yield to Receive and Publilh their Excommu: Order undet
nications blindly, Icaft they (hould be chargeable with tfj^ jUngs
their Irregularities and Abufes ; and be the Inftrumems own Hani
of molefting, worrying, and ruining, as Religious and Seal^

vpherein he
forbids that any Church Man or Prieft in Holy Orders^ fhould be a Chancellor.
And this he reprefents a* the occdjlon of all manner of Corrupiitns. Some have
been deUverd over to Satan for a Groat. This has made Excommurticatioti
contemptible. Vor 'tis hard to perfvpade weak Under ft andinrs that that can be
of God^ which has but one Puniff?ment for aU forts of Crimes : Or that treats
ihofe 06 ill that fcruple a Ceremony^ as the Committers of Whoredom or any o-
ther deadly Sin. Eift)op Taylor in his Du£ior Dubitantium tells »<, that
for a trifling Caufeto cut a Man off from the Communion of the Churchy is to
do as the Man in the Fable, who efpylng a Vly upon his Neighb'jurs Forehead^
9ire»t to beat it off with an Hatchet, and fo (irook out his Brains. And yet
a grave Adyijer, who fint me a Packet of Hints lately, put together with
great Warmth And Zedt^ here fo far forgets his Chara^er, as to tell me in fa
many Words, That the Queen and Parliament may Pafs an A£t if they
pleafe, that any Man that befliits himfelf (hall be Excommunicated. Which
fnethinks difc'/vers little real refpeU either to Chursb vr Stdte^ in om that fU"
iendi fi mu(h Zeal for bath-^

158 The LIFE of Chap. X.

Perfons perhaps as any in their Parifties, Nor durft they
Confent to Publilh the Abfolutions of notorious De-
bauchees, who have given (it may be) no other Proof
of Repentance of their Crimes, befides Paying the Fees
of the Court. Thefe Things they well knew expos'dthe
* Id Ibid. Cenfures of the Church to Scandal and Contempt, and
page 105. therefore they were unwilling to give an helping Hand *.
And to take fuch an Oath as this of Cancmcal Obedi-
ence, and make fuch a Covenant, with a Referve to
themfelves, afterwards to demur upon the Commands
of the Ordinary, when agreeable to the ftanding Rules
of the Ecclefiaftical Adminiftraiion; or make light of
the Cnnons^ which where delign'd to be the ftanding Rulea
of their Obedience, before they were repeal'd and fa-
perfeded ; they could not look upon as any oiher than
egregious Diifimulation : And therefore they thut it
much fafer to wave this Oath altogether, and keep them-
felves free from any fuch enfnaring Bond.
t This IV. They were alfo requir'd to Abjure the Solemn
Abjuring League and Covenant \, For the A<fl for Uniformity
///g Cove-
nant teas reckon d a yery great hardfnp by the generality of the Miniflers vpho
rfeteLjeCied in 1662. This kept fereral from Conformity^ who comply d after
1682, when they were no longer cb/igd to it : And yet Mr. Ollyffe when he
wrote againji this Chapter^ would lay afidc all Confideration of it.^ Def. o/Min.
Conf /». 4. Tfor does Mr. Hoadly think fit to fay any Thing concerning it.
J fhall therefore add nothing farther concerning it-, except a remarkable Faf-
fage which comes to me well Attejied, tffhich fhews how eajily Perfom may be
drawn in to do as their Neighbours^ taking Tl}ings by the Greaty without due
Confideration. A certain Kentijh Gentleman finding himfelf decline through
Age, lookd over a conliderable Collection of Papers he had by him,
which he had been making for many Years, and divided them into two
Heaps ; intending the one for the Flames, and the other to be preferv'd
for the ufe of Poilerity. Bf'-ing thus employ'd, he was vrilted by the Mi-
rifter of the Parifh ; who inquir d the Reafon of his thus dividing his
Papers, which the Gentleman freely told him. It fo fell our, that a Co-
py of the Solemn Lea^^ue and Covenant before ic pafl the Two Houfes, pre-
fentcd itfelf among tiie reft to the Clergyman's View. The Clergyman
defir'd the perufal of it, faying that he had never yet read the Covenant.
IhQ Gentleman told him that was very ftrange, fince he had in exprefs
Terms rtno incd if, and dechr'd to all the World that it oblig'd none
that took it. Which was a Thing he was fo little aware of, that the
Gentleman was forc'd to fetch his Common Trayer Book, and turn him to
the Deciaiacion in the A(l of Uniformity, for his Convit^ion.

oblig'd

Ghap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 259

obJig'd all Ecclefiafticks before the Feaft of St. B/ir^/jo-
lomexv i66z, to Subfcri'oe a Declaration in thefe Words.
I A. B. do Declare^ thnt I do hold there lies no Obligation
upon me or any other Perfon from the Onth commonly called
the Solemn League and Covenant^ to endeavour any Change
or Alteration of Goverriment, either in Church or State I
And that the fame was in it/elf an unlawful Oath ; and
iynpos\{ upon the SubjeBs of this I(ealmy againft the l{nowh
Laws and Liberties of this Kingdom,

Tho' many of the Minifters who Were Ejedted had
not taken this Covenant, and more of them were all along
againft the impddug it, yet would not their Confciences
allow them to yield to fuch a Renunciation as this, for
which a Parallel can hardly be found in any Age. They
were convinc'd, that although a Vow ihould be (infiilly
impos'd and finfully taken, it yet binds in a Matter that
is lawful and neceflfary ; and they found this was the
Determination of the moft celebrated Cafuifts. Pare i

of this Covenant they were convinc'd was both lawful
and neceffary, and therefore they could not declare Per-
fons free from all Obligation by it, without violating
the Rights of Confcience. Every Mans endeavour-
ing in his proper Place and Sphere to alter Church-
Government, as far as he was convinced of its being
faulty, appear'd to them a Matter of Duty; and a
Thing to which that Covenant fo far obliged all that
took it, as that all the Princes and Prelates in Chrijien^
dom, could not give a Difpenfation in the Cafe. Buc
for every one in Holy Orders to determine for all in
Three Kingdoms that took the Covenant, that they,
were no way oblig'd by ir, they efteem'd an unpreli-
dented Inftance of AlTuming. They remembred that
King Charles himfelf had taken it in Scotland, With all
pbflible Appearance of Serioufnefs

and Solemnity"^; and durft not ^ King Ch2Aes took the Cove-
therefore hazard that Kings Soul by nam Three feyeral Times: At
concurring in fo Lax a Publick Ca- the Confummation of the Treaty
fuiftical Determination, as Ihould on the other fide the Seas -^ at his
Confirm him in the^belief, that he Landing in Scotland, and at the
was oblig'd to nothing by the Cove- Time of his Coronation there,
nant, as far as what it contain'd
was Lawful : Nor could they fee how they (hould have
been able to anfwer it to God if they had. It was
pleaded, the Covenant was againft the Laws of England i

S 2j Be

y

26o The LIFE of Chap. X.

Be it fo ; yet they could not find it fo much as pretend-
ed, it was againit the Laws of Scotland: And therefore"
tho' it had beenown'd, that it had not oblig'd Men
here in Englnnd^ yet they could not fee what Warrant
they had to determine, it (hould bind none in the King-
dom of Scotland. But in Ihort, they durft not run the
Hazard of tempting the King bimfelf, and Thoufands
of his Subjects in the Three Kingdoms, to incur the
Guilt of Perjury^ or of hardning them under that
Guilt ; by declaring they were no way oblig'd by Co-
venanting, what could not be made appear to be un-
lawful. The Minifters would have been free, to have
fubfcribM, that the Covenant bound no Man to be falfe
to the Government they were under, or Rebellious a-
gainft the King, or to endeavour to alter our Monarchy,
or deprive the King of any of his juft Rights and Pre-
rogatives ; they would have given their Hands, that
ihey would never endeavour to change any Part of
Church-Government which Chrift had inftituted for
Continuance, or which bad a tendency to contribute to
Purity, Peace or Order ; nay, they would have abjur'd
all Atcempis to introduce any fort of Change in the Ec-
cleliaftical Settlement in a Tumultuous and Illegal Way :
* Baxtei'iBut further they durft not go, for fear of contributing
Honcotifor- to a National Guilt*.

mity Stated

and Ari^udt p^^ge 12^. UU Tied for Teacc, page 2c8. Corhet^s Remains^
page 167. , Troughton'5 Apology for the fionconformifts^ page 58. The
Short Surrey of the Grand Cafe of the Trefent Miniflry^ page 25,

, V. Befidesthe Oath of Ahgiance and Supremacy^ all

ohrer^'db ^" ^*^^y Orders were by the Aa of Uniformity oblig'd
^//.T^ieice^^ Subfcribe another Political Declaration or Acknow-
in ins Con- ^^'^8"^^"^ of thisTenour ; / A. B. do Declare, that it k
formids ^°^ Lawful upon any Pretence wbatfoever, to take Arms a-
Plea for g^^^ft ^^^ Kl^gl ^^^ ^'■'^^ I do abhor that Traiterotti Pcfiti^
the None on of talking Arms by his Authority flgninft his Perfon, or 4-
P. I. p. ig.gain^ thofe that are Comjni[fionated by bim\.
That that

tt^h ch all the An^ and Wit^ and Interefi, of fame Men in great Place and
Power in the Houfe of Lords^ could not make to pafs, but was cppoi'd with
that cleiirnefy and cc^cncy of Reufon, and that Rifolution^ as if they were fa-
ying a A'atwn^ By refifling the 7Vy?, {he refers to the Tear^ '^75j '*pbich ■
could not p<iji into a BUl-^ mufi ncedi bv hard to bt impoid on Minifters^

Tho'

Chap. X. Mr. R^ichard Bixter. 261

Tho' the Silenced Minifters were a$ Free as any for
the Oath of Allegiance, and ready to give the Govern-
ment any Aflbrance that could reafonabiy be defir'd of
a peaceable Subje(9:ion, yet they were not for Making,
and Sabfcribing this Declaration, for Fear of contribu-
ting to the betraying the Liberties of their Country.
For being fenfible, that it is was very poffible for the
Lavv, and the Kings Comn^iffion to be contrary to each
other, they efteem'd ic the Duty of EngUfomen as free
People, to adhere rather ro the former than. the latter •
but could not difcern how the fo doing could be recon-
cil'd with this Declaration. They were told, that a
iVrit being upon a Pubiick Occafion fued out, and
coming to the Sheriffs Hands ; if any Perfons fhould
oppofe the Execution by the King's Perfonal Conamand
or Commiflion, and the Sheriff ihould raife the Poffe
Comitatui upon them, he herein Aded by the Kings Au-
thority. For, by the Kjngs Authority is aS one ai by the
haWy or in the Name of the I\i*ig, according to Lnxv. See-
ing therefore the Sheriff of a County might Adt a*
gainft Oppofers in fuch a Cafe, notwithftanding their
Commiflion, the Law bearing him out, they could
not fee upon what Grounds the Poficion defign d to be
renounced by this Declaration, could be reprefented as
TraiterouSy and to be abhorrd. They could not fee
why a Nation fhould be fo folicitous about Laxvs for
its Security, if a Chancellor who keeps the Kings
great Seal be above them all, and may by fealing
Commijfions caft them off at Pleafare. Withal, to ex-
clude all Exceptions, in fuch a Declaration as this, by
a Claufe of that Nature, not on any pretence whatfoevery
feem'd to them to be a Deftrudion of Property, a fa-
crificing all that was dear and valuable to the Wiil of
the Prince, and the Lufts of his Courtiers, by difabling
Men to defend their Lives, Liberties, and Ellates,
when Attack'd by fuch as pretended to be Commiifiona-
ted. It feem'd to them very harlh, that upon Suppoli-
tion the Papifis Ihould either by Power or Surprize have
gotten the King at any Time into their Hands (as the
Duke of Guife once dealt with the French King) and
have prevail'd with him for fear of his Life, to grant
Commiflions under his Hand and Seal deftrudlive to
the Church and State, that the Nation hereupon muft
be inevitably ruind, and King and Kingdom loft

S 5 by

.^62 The LIFE of Chap. X.

by fuch 00^:1X11(1100$, which none fhould dare to cp-
pcfe : This appear'd' to them fo grofs that they could
110!: fwallow ir. They were fo weak as to efteem Self-
Defence a Part of the Law of Nature 5 and to think
that ihe Body of a Nation have by that Law a Self -de-
fer:dir.g Pc;wcr againft their notorious afTauIting Foes:
But it was their Comfort under this their Weaknefs, to
have fo good Connpanions, as the Noble Old Greeks
and Romans^ Philofophers, Oratours and Hiftorians;
the Ancient Bifhops of the Church, and Chriftian Cler-
gy in the Primitive Times ; the ?opi[h Cafuiftical Wri-
ters, and ihe mod celebrated Writers of Politicks whe-
ther Pnfifts or Protefiants; the moft celebrated Modern
Hiftorians, Civilians, and Canonifts ; particularly fuch
Men as Thuanui, Gothofred^ Barclay^ and Grotius ; toge-
ther with fuch eminent Perfons even in the Church of
England, as Bilnop Bilfcn^ Biftiop Jeremy Taylor, and
Mr. Hocksr, herein concurring in the fame Opinion
with them ; and they had more Modefty than at one
* BaxteiM dafh to mn down all thefe as deceived and in the wrong*.
mnconfoY' And in reality, after all the Clamours of their infulting
tnity Stated Brethren, they were very well fatisfy'd Aiat they who
andArgud. were moft forward for this Declaration, and moft fierce
page 1^4. and eager in running down and expofing thofe who
Short Sur- f^rupled it, would not keep to it, if at any Time they
yey of the £q,j^^ Things were come to Extremity; as the Event
^rand Cafe ^.^^-^c^^^^ pof ^fcer all the Noife that was made in all
%n'^Jini'- ^^^^^ °^ ^^^ Nation, of the Traiteroufnefs of the Pofi-
%'y.moe tion, of taking Arms by the Kings Authority, againft
20. 7'he hisPerfon, *or thofe Commiirionated by him ; and of
Tcacenble the unlawfulnefs of doing fo in any Cafe whatfoever,
P<? w«^ or a Time at length came upon the Landing of a certain Pei-*
Mldefi Ac- Ton callV the .Prince of Orange^ when in Order to the
ff'UHt cf the ^ccunng Religion, Liberty, and Pr(jperty, all Ranks
Noncon- and Qiialities both of Clergy and Laity, finding room
formifts fQj. g particular Exception (where they would before
Meetings^ allow o^ no Cnfe yehatfocver) ventur'd to join with a
V^?>-^9' For 'gn Prince whom ihcy had call'd in to their Alli-r
ftanco, againft the Perfon of their Sovereign King
Jar?}es, and thofe who were CommifTionated by him.
And as for the poor Ejc-dted Minifters, who endur'd
fLich hardfhips for refuling this Declaration, they came
off with this Honourable Teftimony from Impartial
Spe<5latoiiis, which will be given them by Pofterity,

though

Ch;ip. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 165

though it fhouW be gmdg'd them by the Prefent Agc^
that by that Refufal of theirs, they in their feveral
Places and Stations heJp'd as much as in them lay, to
Pave the Way for that Late Glorious Revolution, to
wiiich we owe all our Prefent Happinefs, and all our
Future Hopes ; while the Promoters of this Declaration
and all that adher*d to it, could contribute nothing in
the Cafe, without bidding Defiance to their moft dar-
ling Principle ; the Principle which for Twenty Years
together had made the Pulpits Ring, and the Prefs Groan.
It muft be own'd that thefe Two Laft Points, of
Kenouncing the Covenant, and Subfcribing the Politi-
cal Declaration againft taking Arms in any Cafe vQheitfo*
ever, have not for fotne time been infifted on, with
fuch as enter the Miniftry in the Eftabli(h'd Church.
The former was fix'd by the Adl but till 1682, and
then it drop'd of Courfe. The Latter continu'd till our
Late Revolution, and then (as it was high Time) was
fuperfeded.

For fuch Reafons as thefe, the Minifters who were
Ejecfbed, durft not comply with the Ad: of Uniforojity,
and fall in with the National Eftablilhment. Hereup-
on they have been generally afpers'd, and blacken'd
with all imaginable Freedom. But this muft be acknow-
ledg'd after all ; that if they err*d in this Matter, it was
ior fear of erring ; and therefore they deferv'd RelpecS:
rather than Reproach, becaufe they adled like Men of
Integrity, according to the Light they had. Some of
them were more influenced by fome of thefe Conside-
rations than oihers were; but all put together gave
them abundant Satisfa£tion in quitting their Livings,
when they found they could not keep them with the
Peace and Safety of their Confciences. Tho' in reality
it is own'd by the beft Cafuifts, that if but one Thing,
which after Search and Enquiry they apprehended to be
finful, had been made neceflary to their continuing iii
their Places, they bad been bound to have left them.
Here were a great many Things, which they faw
not how they could yield to, without Sin: And
therefore they forbore. There were none of them,
but would have yielded to what would have been
fufficient to have made them Minifters, in the Apo-
files Days or after: But the Yoke now impos'd was
(o heavy, that neither they nor their Fathers were

S \ able

264 The Lift of Chap. X.

able to bear it ; and tho* their Fathers had been for ma-
ny Years complaining, yet was it made heavier noW,
than ever it was before.
Jteafons of ^° ^^^^ hence- for ward the Church Doors were fhut
the. ejecled "pon them With Contempt, and others fill'd their vacant
Minifters^ Pujplts : AnJ they were left to fpcnd their Time iii
for conti- Solitude and Retirement, preparing thcmfelves for ano-^
7JM/«;^j»r/;e ther World, as being of no farther Ufe in this. They
Minifirf. were much perfwaded to lay down their Miniftry, when
they were deny'd the Liberty of exercifing it publick-
ly; but the Generality of them, could not be fatisfy'd
upon many Accounts. They fearM the Guilt of perfi*
(i ) Mr. dious breaking their Ordination-Vow^ (i.) by which they
Hoadly in oblig'd thcmfelves to the diligent Performance of their
hii Reafon Miniftry. They were afraid of the Sin of Sacriledge in
of Conf. alienating Perfons who were Confecrated to God. It
Tart 2. had to them a very ftrange Appearance, that their Bre-
p- 10, &c. thren (hould fo much aggravate the Sacriledge of aliena-
J^y^, he jjj^g confecrated Utenfils and Lands, when they at the
y , - fame Time were fo forward to alienate confecrated Per-
M'nifteri ^°"^' *"^ difcovcr'd fuch an Approbation of it: When
expreflypro'^^'^^^ their Apprehenfton the Lands and Goods, were
misd when t>^^ to ferve the Perfons, who were employ'd in the Di-
theydeyoted vine Service. Many of their People claim'd the Con-
themfehes tinuancc of their Relation and Miniftry, and having
to the Ser- givcn Up themfelves to their Conduct in Divine

yice of God^

but nothing ought to be implfd in fuch a Vow and Dedication^ that if con'
trary to the Service of God, and inconfiflent with the good of the Chrt/iian
Church And that therefore if their Ends might be better promoted, by for fa-
hng the Mlniilry than continuing in it^ they would neither have been perfidi-
oj^ nor facrilegious if they deferted it, but rather if they continued in it. My
Pep/y^ in Def of Mod. None. Part 3. page <5, S'c is thU : That when Fer.
fom duly qualified do derote ihemfelres to the Service of God in the Work of the
Alnifiiy^ 7m ne(ejfarily imply d (whether it be expreft or no) that they engage
to y,/ake that the Bujinef of their Lires. And when thry are thin en^agd,
though a change of Circumfiances may occafion a -variation in the manner of
their exercifing tJmr Miniftry.^ yet no change of Circumfiances can make their
continuing in the Minifiry^ (oi far <w they hare a Natural and Moral Capa-
city, and real Opportunity) ceafe to be their Duty. Tior can 1 fee how their
aCling in this Sacred Ojfce, according to the "Rule of the Word, can ever be
c mrary to the Seryice of God, or really imonji/ient with tie Good of the Chri-
plan church.

Thing?>

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 265

Things, beg*d they would not defert them. {2.) They (2.) Mr.
profefs'd they could not truft their Souls to the Pafto-Hoadly'^
ral Guidance and Care, of a great many of thofe who Reafon. of
were plac d in the Churches in their ftead ; and de-Conf. P. 2.
clar'd, that if they Ihould forfake them, they would ^ »t', 52c.
Charge them with negle6l of their Souls, whofe Care|^^j' y'"*^
they had undertaken. So that they feared the Sin or^Jll/'^ ^
Unfaithfulnefs, Cruelty, and Unmercifulnefs, and^^ ^r ^^^^
incurring the Guilt of ruining Souls by flopping their /^^^^^ ^^
own Mouths. The Magiftratcs Authority was indeed ^;,g ^^-^^^^
againft them ; but they found themfelves under a fo- Min'fiers^
lemn Obligation to an higher Authority to fulfil their 7«/V/;t b^
Miniftry as they were able, when fought to for help \induced by
for negleding which, they could not difcern how ih^their own
Command of the Magiftrate could furnilh them with-4f^<^'o»«
a juft Excufe. Should they have been commanded to^o them^
forbear feeding their Children, or relieving the Poor ^^^ ^^»y
and diftrefs'd, they (hould have fear'd bemg charg'd ^^ Z^'^'*!
with Murdering them, if they dy'd thro' their Neg- ^V^^"^|^^^^
Jed ; And in like Manner they were apprehenfive of ^^ reoj^

them ftiil
tn Mini fief to them ; but that he cannot fee that it follows from thence^ that
therefore they ought. And. he ashs^ if they never remoVd from the People,
who thftt intreated them ? He frames a long Speech for the Jilenc'd Mini"
fiers to their People^ and fays^ they might have made fuch a Speech with a
faft Confcience. But had he had the Care of the Souls of a Parijh and been
ownd by God, and done much good : Had he then been filenc'd by Authority
for not complying with fnme Things as to which his Confcienc« after his utmojl
Enquiries remained dijfatisfed : Had his Place been for fame Time unfup'
th'^ 5 y^ f'''*^ '/ ht continued not his Miniftry among them, they mufi have
had nt Ordinances, no Puhlich [Vorfhip amongfi them ^ (which actually was
tlje Cafe of Mr. Qujck, and fame others) and had the poor People whom he
had been Paflor to, adjured him by all that was facred^ that if he had any
yalue for their Souls, he would continue his Miniftry among them : I can
hardly queftion, whether he would have comply'd with them ; or fhould
he have refused, I know not how he could have anfwered for his fo doin<r.
But it by no Means however follows, That a Minifter muft necejfarily think
himftlf flah'^d down for Life in the Congregation to which he is once related
as a Pafior, becaufe he tho^ prohibited by Authority, thinks himfelf oblig'd to
continue his Labours among a People, that God has made him ufeful to, and
to regard their Cries and Entreaties on that behalf.^ as long as they are either
'.vholly deflitute of a Mini ft er, or have one fent to Officiate among them^
»ho is notorioujly unfit for that f acred Work^ &c. Def. of Mod- Nonconf.

rfieir

266 The L I F E of CI, ip. X.

their beino; • ii / ^^able ."ith the Gojif'^'q'ience': f neg-
lecting ro prom re the gou-l of So- !s in a A .i.itenal
^ Way, n\.ulci any rcfifh an^ bo i^^O, w'lo w 'ie were
able to h'AC a'.liiieii and infl'lUt.llcd. The Curfe and
- . Donrr- of rhc u:)pjotira^*le St- r ant tb^t hid his Talent,
HoVdh' ^ ^'^'^' ^5- "''ijch atfcded them j (3 ) and they co-dd not
Reaion'fl/" ^'"^^ ^^^ Thot's of expoiint^, themfelses to a like Treat-
ConF P. 2. "^^'1^- V/xcbal, they fo^nd rhe NccelTities of the Peo-
T- 2 4i/'«>s P'^ ^" "^^^^ ^^^''P °^ ^^'^ Nation great, no' withftanding
He de>ue> ^^^ ^cg^l ProvifioH fof them ; many Minifters in the
w: ^«t r W Pubhck Churches having more Souls to look after,
many (.f thar. feveral would be fufRcient for. (4.) And at the

them mi^ht

hnvtf $cen tci , p.^jxiahlc Stryanti in the Mini/try^ had they conttnu'd in tf^
F-jJah/ jhd Chur<h i but he denies that they reould have been condemned as utt'
profitable Servants^ had they la'd down the Pub/ick Exercife of that Office^
^hcn they could mt join rvith the Ff}abliff)'d Church : Becaufe he thinks by
ddinr pj they rvmld haye confulted the Peace of the Church, and the Honour
of God^ 7i? ithout putin^ thernfches out of all Capacity of doing good to the
$_ouls of Men. My Reply, Def. of Mod. Nonconf. p. 20, &c. is this, if
they would hare been profitable in the Miniftry had they conform d, it mufl be
oeca?*fe they were well qualified for Service, if then for Peace fake they had
remain d unemployed, their Talent had remained unoccupied 5 and therefore^
they had been unprofitable Seryants in the truefi Scnfe : And that there'' s no
Compart fon between the helping many Souls to Heayen that -would haye been
confequent in one Cafe, and an Agreement in Forms and Cercnwnies under the
potion of promoting the Peace of the Church ', which was the only Thing fel-
low'd in the other Cafe. In the mean Time, the Minifiers that were ejefiedy
begi'd for Peace, and refund nothing in order to it that they could do, without
dijhonouring God, ^nd doing Violence to their Confidences: And as Things were
managed, had they Comply d, and been alto<rether Jilent, they had been fo far
fr-im confulting the true Peace of tjje Church, that they bad encouraged Cliurch
Tyranny and Impofiiion, which when or.ce giyen Way to^ is hardly capable of
any Bounds.

(4) /.I anfwer to this, Mr. Ho:^dly, Reifon. of. Conf. P. 2. p. 1^- fays.
That it is 7tot fimere to alledge in Vindication of their Puhlick Minifirations
what tJyey thcmfehes knew was not the true Keafon of their continuing them,
yind ihdt fuch a Practice as their' s could not pofjihly he founded upon fuch a
Keafon as thi<. He by no Means owns any real I^ecejjity for their Publick Mi'
nifirations : But fays, tins could not be the true Keafon of their Praflice-, and
therefore ought not to be alledgdin Jufti^cation of it. My Keply, Dci. of
Mod. None. p. 3. />. 27, <S.c. is this, That haying a Talent which they were
bound to improye to the Honour of the Donor, and the Good of their Vellow
Servants :, the Confidcration of the Necejfitief of the People in mofi Parts of the
JNation, })elps to clear their Hay : In a4 much as it prefents them with an Opr
portunity of fame Serrice, and room for being in fome Mcafure t*feful, not'

fame

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 267

fame Time without being at all. Cenforious, it was too rviihfiand'
evident to them, that fandry of them were infufficient *"«? the hfs
and unqualify'd. (5.) And making the beft of Things, ''Z '^^^ ^^'^'
they found that populous Cities, and the ignorant Parts f/^^"^^"
of the Country, needed more help, than the Parim Mi- ^""JJ^"^^^^^^
nifters did, or could afford them. They were withal af- Zmpllm'r
feaed with many Paffages of facred Scripture ; fomeof ^/^^-^'^^J^,
which intimate the Duranon of the Minifterial Office, cefary im-
ivbere there is once a Conveyance (6.), Ai4^5.I3,1 4, (^c.pofitions.
Mat. 28. 19, 20. Eph. 4. 10, &c. I T/w. 4. 15, 16. ^5.) Mr,
Mat. 24. 45, 46, 48. And others of them plead for the Hoadly,t/e-
Neceflity of Preaching, even when the Magiftrate for- nies not^
bids. (7.) As ABs 4. 19. 5. 28. I Cor,c^. 14, 16. AHs Reafon. of
4. 29. 2 Tim. 4. I, 2. I Tim. 6. 15, 14, ^c. And they ^^^'f- ^- 2-
found it was their Duty, to pray for the fending^ in of^' 3 Y^^'
faithful Labourers, Mat ^9. 38. Luke 1 o. 2. And could ^"^ ^,.

fuffkknt "
Minifters in the Lftahli(f)'>d Churchy and yet wonH allow this a fujficient Eea-
fon for the People to join with feparate Churches : Becaufe fiill the Church has
Tnade fufficient Frovifion for them. And he adds^ That in the Places where
this Plea might be urg'd with the hefi Grace, 'tis odds whether the People get
any Thing by forfahng their Parifl) Minifier, &c. / anfwer, That let the
/landing Frovifion of the Church for the ajjifiing Perfons in their Way to Hea-
yen, be ever fo good of the Kind, it yet does not follow either that an hnnefi
Chriflian in 1662, was bound to prefer an ignorant carelefs Minifier that wof
fent as a Succcffor before his former Paflor, under whom he had found much of
Gods Prefence ; or that the Minifier that had fuch a Succejfcr Was bound to
he filent upon his coming, though the People earneftly prejfed for tJje Conti-
nuance of }}is Labours, &c. Def. 0/ Mod. None. P.-^.p. gg,

(6.) Mr. Hoadly, Reafon. of Conf. P. 2. j- 48, fays, That fuppofing
there once was a Conveyance of the Minifterial Office^ yet there is nothing in a-
ny of the fe Paffages winch intimates 'the Duration of it contended for : And
he examines them particularly for feyeral Pages together. I reply ^ that it is
eno" to anfwer the End for which thefe Paffages are produCd, if they prove^
that the Minifierial Office is for Life^ whefe the Ends of it are fecufd ^ which
I endeavonr to manifeji and confirm by particular RefieCiions on the fey era/
Scriptures cited, Def. of Mod. None. P. g. ^.4?, &c.

(7.) Air. Hoadly, Reafon. of Conf. P. 2. p. 6c, &c. fays, He knows
none that mantains that the meer Command of the Magifirate, is fu^ient to
oblige a Minifier to lay afide the Publick Exercife of ijis Office : But adds.
That there may be Confiderations fufficient enough to induce a Minifier to c^m-
fly with fuch a Command of the Magifirate ; and that thefe Texts Jjave
nothing in them againfi this. My Anfwer may hefetn^ Def. ©/ Mod. None.
P. 3. p. 49

not

2 68 The LIFE of Chap. X.

not but think the fending up of fuch a Requeft to God

a mocking of him, wliile fuch as the7 were, ceas'd to

labour, who had been call'd and qualify 'd, own'd and

^?. ) Mr. fucceeded. ( S. ) In fliorr, maturely weighing the

Koadiy, whole Matter, rhey afcer the narroweft fearch, appre-

Reaion. of hended ir an indifpenGble Duty lying upon them as

Conf. P. 2. Men and Miniiters, by the Obligation of God's Law of

^,65, /ajs Charity, and by the binding Force of their own Vows

TJtat fup- -J. ^.j^gjj. Self-Dedication to the Service of God in his

^McS' ^°"^^' ^^ ^^ ^^^'^ ^^^ *" ^^'^ Exercife of all their Ta-
lerltioT' ^^"^^' Humane, Chriftian, and Miniftcrial, to feek
hemcittioKs ^^ ^^^'^ Peoples Souls ; and therefore to preach or
taken from ^^^^^ ^"d exhort them, in the Manner that appeared
the Tublick ^^ '^-ni moft conducible thereunto. ( 9.) They could
Good, they '^c't fee whence either Civil Magiftrates or Bilhops had
had ceafed any Power to Doom them to utter Silence, fo long as
fom their they could not prove upon them, either Apoftacy, He-
Laaours in refy, or Perfidioufnefs, or any Thing inconfiftent with
JPublick, the PuMick Peace. And therefore perfifting in that
^ '""*"'' Work which God- and the NecefTitics of Souls call'd
^,-'^^^- them to, they iho't Patience their Duty, as to all Suf-
ihisPeti- ^^^^^^^ ^^^V might meet with : In which Refpe£l they
tion hut ^n^^avour'd to Aral themfelves as ftrongly as was
the^ might Poflible*.
hare faid

vithout mocking God. / anfv^eY^ That nothing is a mpre proper mocking
God, than a pretendinr^ earneftly to beg of him^ vrhat voe our [elves lotll not
contribute to^ according to our jibilitj ^ than a feeming Earncf? for that which
I ' yiegleCled by us, as far as he has put it in our Towtr ; vfhich would haye
cV'« the Cafe of thefe M'mifters^ had they teas' d from their Labours. Def. of
M'.'d. None IP art 5. p. 50. ^

, 9. ) Mr. Hoadly, Reaf. of Conf. P. 2. p. 6g. intimates^ TJ)at thefe Ar-
gu<nents vp^nt hold for fuch as haye been ordain d to the Mini /try among «f,
J(i7i:c the jiCl of Uniformity. I anfrver^ they were not produced for that
lurp^fe ; and yet they have a Force in our Cafe too^ as fat t^ there
is an Agreement of Circum/iances. See Dcf. of Mod. Noncont. P, 3.
/. <;S, 59-

^ Baxter's Nontonformity Stated and Argud^ pag. i 56. His Plea for
l^eatr, pa;\. 2 2Q, His Apology for the Konconformifi Mini/fers, in Quarto^
where the whole Matter is di/iinfily canrafs'd. His Sacrilegious De-
ferton of the Holy Minijiry rebuhd^ ohayo. Affd Alien's Cali to Archip-
^)US, ^tarto*

Thus

Chap. X. Mr, Richard Baxter. 2 6^

Thus determiiciing to continue in their Miniftry, Rc^/ow of
with Satisfa<5lion they were in the Way of their f^?e i^ity
Duty, they wanted not for Hearers and Adherents./^'" ^•^f'*'
Many Arguments and Infinuations indeed were us'd^"'*^^''^*
to divert the People frotn at ail regarding thefe re-'"'^^
jedled Minifters : But their Efteerii for them was too
deeply riveted ; ajnd the Grounds of their Diflktisfadtion
coo palpable, and the Care taken to remove the Grounds
of their Objections too Superficial ; for them to be
much mov'd with, their Aflauits. Many of the People
had found Benefi'c by the Labours of thefe Minifters be-
fore they were ejected , and thereupon iho't themfelves
obiig'd to ftick ico them. ( i. ) Finding thenn caft off /j n ^^^
without having JUiy fuitable Crime alledg'd againftHoadly
them, they tho't it Inhumane and Barbarous to defertReafon «/*
them, (a.) Nay^ being (fome of them) convinced ofConf. P. z.

That this Argument can be froduc'd t9 little Turpofe hut to make up the
lHuTnlter, becaufe fevr of the ejected M'mijiers confin'd themfehes to the 'BLatei
sphere tltey *9ere ejefhed ; and few of the Dijfenting Laity make any Scruple of
forjaklng a Fafior^ on the Account of any little Difference or groundlefs Dif-
fatlsfa^ilon^ how fuitable foever they have found hisGifts^ &c. If this Ar-^
gument were wholly wanting^ he thinks there would net be a Vi^enter the
Ufs in England. Whereas, I on the contrary^ firmly believe that If this Ar-
gument had been wanting, there had been but few Diffenters. for it was the
Bene ft that the People apprehended (at leaft ) they had received by their At-
tendance on the ejetied Minlfiers, that engaged them to adhere to them in 1 662.
And the fame is the Reafon at this Day^ with thofe that aCh upon a Princi-
ple, in adhering to their Succejfors : H blch is "very conjijient with their chanT'^T
Pa/Iors, upon a change of their Circumfiances, Det. of Mod. Conf. P. g^
p. 72, &c.

(2.) Mr. Hoadly, Reafon. of Conf. p. 8(5. fays^ That the EjeSied would
haye had fome Eftablifhment, and fome Terms and Conditions imposd^ by
'Which all that come into the Church p^ould hays been obliged^ in which Cafe
fome would fill I haye been ejeCied. And he queries^ Whether they fhould
haye been ejieem^d barbarous that had deferted them ? And intimates that
there is not more Reafon for the Char<^e now^ than there would have been, had
the Settlement been agreeable to the Ejefied. He adds, That this Argument
can Jtgnify little to our prefent Times, wlth$ut laying a Foundation for con-
flant Dlyifions from an Efiablljh'd Church, tho' eyer fa perfeli. I anfwer^
They were againji fuch an Eftabllff)ment^ as fhould hare excluded any well
^uallfy'd, ufeful and laborious Minifters from all Capacity of Publlek Ser-
yice. Had the Terms been fuch as few excepted againji^ but few would hare
been flmt out by the Efiablifhment : And had there been a Toleration for
thofe few, all had been eafy. Could they but haye had what they earne/lly
beggd foTy vi2. Unity in Things neaifary, Liberty in Things indiiferenr,

the

2 70 The LIFE of Chap. X.

and Chari- the Juftice of the Caufe they were engagM in, vi:(,
^y ^"/^^l' '^'^^ P^^JT'^S ^ f^^^f^sr B^formntion in Ecclefinjlical Matters^
T/*^ ^l ^^ ^^ce(/a>'y '"« Or/ler to the more general reaching of the
nrhC^dBut^^^^^ ^^^^ ^f ^'^'K^^'* ' They thought it their Duty irt
'}'t is yet to ^^^^^ ^hce to efpoufe the fame eaufe,and adhere to the
6e provd, ^*^"^ Principle (3.) in Oppofuion to thofe who reckoned
that any ^he Church fo Perfe(ft as to need no Amendments. And
Iftahl'ip}' finding that i^ was the Duty oftheirMinifterstho'filenc'd
went pf by the Magiftrates, to continue in the Exercife of their
fo pcrfef}^ Miniftry, th^y were convinc'd they were oblig'd therein
as that Se- ro fupport and encourage them. (4.) Neither could they
yeriiy to- forbear preferring the Labours of thofe Minifters, the fui-
vards fuch tablenefs of whofe Gifts, and whofe Readinefsto watch
M cant fall £^^ ^j^^-j, ^quIs they had experienced, before others that
'" '^y V' came in their PJaces, to whom they were Strangers, and
Taufe'^thly ^^ ^^ whom they were at the beft in great Uncertainty.

are dljfatif-

fied, can be ju/iified : Or that it is reafonahle to condemn Perfoni without any

Froof of Guilty &lc. Def. of Mod. None p. 85.

(5.) Mr. Hoadly, Reafon. of Conf. P. 2. p. 9^, &c. fays. That Mini-

fiers and People mtght hayecontinud in Communion with the Church of England,

without thinking it fo perfeCh as to need no Amendments • and without forfak-

ing the Caufe they wereingag'din : That they did not attain to 'BerfeCiion or a

greater Degree of it, in the feparate Churches they erected : That to feparate

from a Church in Order to obtain a farther Reformation, is not reafonahle or

defenfible : That the Method taken by them and their Succejfors, is not likely

to make the Church of England one Degree more perfect than it is already .-

And that if this be a good Argument for a Separation, there will always be

a Necejjity for one 5 and that their own Amendments would not make the

church fo perfefl, but that this fame Pretence for Reformation would remain.

Thefe Suggepions I have difiinBly conjiderd and anfwerd, Def. of Mod.

Nonconformity, Fart, 5. p. p:?, Stc-

(4.) Mr. Hoadly, Reafon. o/Conf. P. 2. p. 145, &c. fays, That this Ar-
<fmnent is fallacious. For if the People were not on other Accounts obliged to at-
tend on their Miniftrations, they could not be oblig'*d to it meerly to fupport and
eticourage them., nor would they hare done it for that Reafon only. I anfxper,
Dtf. o/'Mod. None. P. 5. p. 148, 149, &c. It u fuppofed they had Reafon to
ya!t4e their Labours, haying profited by them, and that they were conyinc\i of
the Jufiice of the Caufe they fuffer'd for ', and of- their own Obligation to engage
in the fame Caufe : And having evidenc d this, in ConjunHion with the Obit-
'Ration of the Minifiers to continue their Labours as Opportunity offers -, it necef
fariiy follows that all thus perfwaded, were bound fo far to fupport and en-
courai^e them, as to ^ive them an Opportunity of exercifing their Miniftry, by at-
tending chearfully on their Labours ; and to maintain them too, as they were
tihU : And that the rather, becaufe they and th(ir Families were fought to
be be-'K ard and ftarv'd by thofe in Power.

They

Chap. "X. Mr. B i hard Baxter. - ^7^ _

The* couM not fee how rhe Prefentacion of i P^jcron ^ r/j/*
and the Inftitution of a Biihnp, could make it the abfo- Frlwiple
lute Duty of all in a Parilh, prefently to a^quicfce in 2.only tend-
Minifter's Condud in Holy Things. Thii irity indeed '^^'T ^'^ f^'^f^

Legally entitle him to the Tphe and Maimtmavce, but "^^^fary
cannot make hitn a Paftor to any one without his own ^j'Jfj^^
Confent, Parifh Order they tho't had its Advantages, J^^^^^J^
and was to be preferr'd, when more weighty Reafons did ^^ natural
not offer. But they could not fee any Thing in it of an jj;^/,^ ■ ';^,
abfolute Neceflity. Neither could they reconcile the Sup- frffj^g] ^ot
poll ion of f xh a Neceflity, (tho* fettled by the I aw of t/;e vjVk of
the Land) with the inviolable Rights of Hun^ane Nature ^Patronage,
which leave a Man as much at his Liberty to choofe * a which dw
Paftor for his Soul, as a Phyfician for his Body, or a h houndd^
Lawyer for his Eftate. (5.) And therefore as they tho'c ^^ft ^^

owned f^
haye itsCmyenienciti too. For as Mir.iflers^ or Sijhops mayjui^e who is fit ts
he by them ordain d and let into the Mini/try., fo may Magifirates and Patrom
jud^e and choofe who of thefe Minijien flail have the Publick Places., Mainte-
Ttance and i ount e nance j and yet Feop'e fill heep their right of choosing «?/;>*
P)all be their * afiors. ' if the Patron ofers an unfit Man^ and the People refufc
him, he may offer others. If they continue to difagree:, the Matter Is eaflly nc'
commodated, by letting the Patron choofe who pmlL have the Place and Tythes^
and the Feople who fhall be their ^afor. If they go to another Parijb, the In-
coHremence is not great- If a Number of them join together in choofing a Pafior,
liying peaceably and quietly, there is no Harm in it. The Patron has his
^IBilght in prefenting the Perfon that has the Publick Maintenance. The Farifh
jyiinifier has his Right ^ for he hath what Publich Maintenance is legally fix'd to
the Liyingj which is as mr^ch as the Biflop's In/iitution, and Patrons Prefenta-
tion could entitle him to. And at the fame Time alfo the People haye their
J^ight^ which is faying the Tythe Legally due to the Parifh .Miniver., to choofe
whom they will for their PaUor, witJ)out injuring Bifijop, Patron^ Parifh
Minifler, or any one elfe.

(5.) Mr. Hoadly, Reafon. o/Conf P. 2. p. 148. fays, That this Right to
choofe their own PaTior, doth not according to ourfelves fo belong to the People,
as that they may not lawfully recede from it upon fome Cnnfiderations ^ nay, as
that they ought not inDuty to doit : That in Farijhes where the People chufe
their own MiniTiers, tloere are the greatest Diyifions and J^uarrels, as uncjua'
lify''d jyiiniiien as in other Places, and perhaps the greateii Number of Dijfen-
ters: Tl^t the ConVtitution can neyer be fo ordered or fo happily contriVd, as
that eyery particular Chrisiian Jhould be under the Minislry of the Perfn whom
he would choofe aboye all others : That Mr. Baxter had fuch a Senje of the
Advantages ofVarochial Communion, that he advifed bis Veople o/ Kedermin-
fter to attend upon their ]?arijh MiniUer : and that fuppofing an unqualified
Minister fettled in a Parifl, his Varifhioners are not prefently in fo defperate a
Condition as is reprefented : All which SuggeUions I have disiinftly confiderd
md anfwefd, in Def. of Mod* Nonconf. P, 3. />• i $4, &c.

ic

272 The LIFE of Chap. X-

t» * • — ' — — — __

it would be hard for the Magiftrate to fay, you (hall
have this Phylician or none ; when perhaps another
may better hit their particular Conftitution ; Or you
(hall have this 1 awycr or none ; when it may be they
know another who was much fitter to have the Ma-
nagement of their Concerns : So
* Cyprian, I/^. i. £/>. 4. /tfjyj, did they alfo reckon it a ftrain-
ttifGod'sOrdi»a»cethatthePeop/e i^g the Point too high, for the Ci-
fhculd eUa their o^n Taf]or. ^q Magistrate, (and much more
See upon thsHead La Rocques ,i,e Bilhop) to fay, you fhall have
o>.f.rrn.O of he EcUJiaftual ^^-^ Man Or none for your Paftor,

Vifctpline of the Trote/iants of . r ^ rr-i i .- *

France to the Vrimithe Church, ^hen It ^yas fo very pofTible for

p i5, 17, &c. ^ particular ^^em, to know another Minifter,

Church if a Society -pnluntarily who might be unexceptionable,

€onjoind for the Furpofes of Di- and much more fuitable to them,

yine Worfhip : And it is contrary in the feveral Refpedls in which a

to the Nature of it ^ that they half e Minifter*s help was needful to

Taslors or be Members without them. This appear'd to ihcm to

their free Confent. M'mifterscan- bg a contending with them for at

tu>t do file proper Work of VaUors Rjght which God * and Nature had

npithoui this Confent -^^^^ ^ji^^^^ ^^^ therefore they

t B^^^erjl^onconform.ty Stated ^^^^ ^^^ j-^^j ^^ r^^^^^ ^^^ ^^

*ndAro^ud,pag.,6^,&iz. before they woujd Part with it f.

Many of them Apprehended that the Method of
the National Eftablilhment broke in upon Oec<Jiio-
mical Government. The Mafter of a Family is 2Xi
Emblem of a Prince in the State. Some Branches of
his Power and Auihority, are evidently Superiouro
The Parental Authority, is the greateft that Na-
ture gives. We may fuppofe it to reach a great Way
when we confider that it is defign'd to fupply the
Place of Reafon ; whereas in the Exercife of a Princes
Authority, he is Apposed to have Subjects, that ufe
their Reafon, and muft be dealt with accordingly.
Kow in any Thing like an Impofition of a Paftor up-
on them, the Diffentmg Laity Apprehended their
Right as Parents, and Husbands, and Matters, ^c.
was invaded either b) Prince or Bilhop, that pretend-
ed to impofe a Paftor, upon thofe who by God and
Nature were put under their Care. Whofe Intereft
4nd Power in i:iy Farai'y, and with Reference to m^-.
Wife and Children, can be fuppos'd earlier and grea-
ter than mine ? And who more concern'd in the In~
ftiudion they receive than 1 ? Why tbert fhould I

Chap. X. Mr. flichard Baxter. 273

lef^another impofe a Paftor iipon them, which more
belongs to me certainly than to any one elfe, if they
are not competent Judges for themfelves : But if ic
become not even me, ( and could not be juftified } for
me to tell my Wife or Children that are come to Years
of Difcretion, you (hall have this Man for your Mini-
fter or none ; you fhall either Worfliip God here or no
where ; how can the Magiftrate have fuch an Autho-
rity"? How came the Bifliop by it ? If neither Prince
nor Bifhop may choofe for my Children a Tutor, a
Trade, a Phyfician, or Diet, or Cloathing, or impofe
.Husbands or Wives on ihem without my Confent :
How fhould either of them, come by a Right to im-
pofe a Minifter upon them without my Will and
Choice? Elpccially when his Management of Holy
Things, is a Matter of fuch vaft Importance, and
wherein their Salvation and my Imereft are lo nearly
concern'd? The inlcfficient Anfwers ufually return'd
to fuch Queries, contirm'd many of the Laity in their
Inclination to Nonconformity*. * Mr,

Hoadly,
Reafon. of Conf. Fan. i. p. \6^'^ fays^ That a few Ohferyatjons which we
■ wont deny to be true^ will fuffciently anfi^er thefe Queries :■ As for Infiance,
That there Is fujfcient Proyifion for the Teople in the Eflahlijh^d Church 5 that
the People hare no Eight to chufe whom they p/eafe for their Pa/Ior^ when
their Nece^ties aire provided for in an Ejiahllpyd Way ;' that they may hare
the fame Opinion about their Original Right to chufe their own Taflors^ and
yet mofi heartily conform to the Church o/ England ^ and that the Queftion
between «;, is Hot who has this Right ^ but in fuch a Conjiitution as ours-, in
which pis genefally fettled in the Hands of a Patron^ are the People to ac'
quiefce in the Eflahlijb\i Way, or feparate from it to ajfert a -Right, which
Cctnnot bjeaffened in this Method, without the DeftruChlon of Charity, and the
Subverfion of Peace and Order i Sec my R':p!y, in Dsif of Mod. ISonq.
P. 3. p' 170, &C.

The want of DifcipUne in the Church, was another (6.) Mr,
confiderable Plea they urg'd. (6.) And in this they but Hoadly,

Reai'on, of
, Conf. p. 2. p. 1(58 ; declares, he cant fee the Confequence of this Ar<rument.
He can't fee any need of a Separation, on the Account of the want of Difci-
pline ; or that Difcipline c^w be promoted by it, &c. I anfwer^ That a Se-
paration may contribute to Difcipline among thofe that feparate -, and it may
alp) neceffitate thofe whom they feparate from, to give Way to it, if ever th-y
Tpould effect 0 Coalition, &c. Pci'. of Mod- Nonconf. P. 3. p. ij^, &g,

T * foilow'4

274 ^^^ LIFE of Chap. X-

followM the Old Puritans, and their pious Progenitors,
who have in this refpedt been calling for greater Care
and (tridlnefs, ever (ince the Reformation of the
the Church and Land from Popery. Upon fearch they
found that God had defignM the Church to be as it
were the Porch of Heaven ; A Society gather'd out
of the World, fan6tify*d to him, and to be more fully
prepared for Glory. And therefore he would have none
in it, but fuch as profefs Faith and Love, and Holinefs,
and renounce a FJefhIy and Senfual, Worldly and Pro-
fane Life : that the Paftors were to judge who were
to be taken in, and who caft out ; and all the Mem-
bers in their Places bound to preferve their own Purity,
and that of the Society which they belong to. The
National Conftitutionappear'd to them to be calculated
to another Defign. The Ignorant, Ungodly Multitude
are forc'd into Communion while palpably unfit : Thefe
become the Strength and major Part : And are oppofite
to this Difcipline, becaufe it would reftrain and curb
them, and tho' it could not better their Hearts, would
yet oblige them in many Refpecfts to amend their Car-
riage. The Minifters are incapable of doing any
Thmg towards it, the Power being wrefted from them j
which Power in its Execution is lodg'd in Hands that
manage it Carelefly and Profanely ; to the Screening of
fuch as fhould be cenfur'd, and the cenfuring of fuch
* ^/rtte pious Perfons as ought to be encourag'd*. This was
%ealous ' what the Old Puritans groan'd iinder ; and yet they
liriter for were againft a Separation, as long as there was any
Difcipline Hops of Amendment ; but finding the Stiffhefs of the

in the Efia-

hJiflyd church, is forc'd to Aclmwledrre, [ the Church of England's Wi/h
for the Ee/toring of the Vrimitiye Difcipline confider'd, p. 27I, 272- ] That
the fuhordlnate Officers and Minifters in our Ecc/ejtafiical Courts do at pre-
fenty a.s all the \\orld fees, manage but yery ill the Vow er of the Church ;
con-verting it chitjly to their ovpn jidyantage^ with little or no Regard to
the Ends of Religion ^ infomuch, that the StriClnefs of Difcipline is wholly
abated^ the Exercife of that which is^ corrupted ; the 'Proceedings againft
Ojfenders Vartial and Dilatory : And if any Vennanccs are enjoined^ His
with almofi no RefpcSl to true Repentance, nor is much Conjidcration
of that had in the Relaxation of fuch Cenfures : So many Subterfuges
and E.yafons are nlfo found almoji in cyery Cafe, that the good Rules of Dif-
iipl'tne feldom take Vlace.

Bifliops

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 275

Bi/hops and their Adherents after KingCW/e/sReftau-
ration, in flicking to their Old Methods without any
Alteration ; nay, finding the fame Difpofition at the
Beginning of King William and Queen Mnry\ Reign,
when they were fo urgently prefs'd to make good thcii:
Promifes made under their foregoing Diltrefsard Fears j
that they flill applauded their Conftitution as fo com-
pJeat and perfedt, as that it needed no Amendrr;ents ;
they faw no Ground of Hope remaining that ever any
fuch Thing as a Regular Difcipline would willing-
ly, and out of Choice be bro't in ; nay, not thd' the
better Sort of Governors in the Church, were for ir.
And therefore they ajpprehended themfel' es oblig'd
publickly to bear their Teftimony againft that fatal
Negle6t : And that the rather, becaufe they found
that Negle6t acknowledged even in the Common
Prayer Book, notwithftanding there has been no Pro-
viiion made of a fuitable Remedy. For at the Be-
ginning of the Commination, there is this Confellion :
That in the Primitive Church there voas a Godly Difci^
pline ; Jhch Perfons as were notorious Sinners being put
to open Penance^ and punifod in this fVorldy that their
Souls might be fnvd in the Day of the Lord : And that
ethers admonlfh''d by their Example, might be the moret
afraid to olfend. And that in Jiend thereof , UNTIL

THE SAID DISCIPLINE MAY BE RE-
STORED AGAlN,VVHiCH THING IS
M U C H T O B E W 1 S H'D*, its tho't good, the Ge- ^ ^Ute
neral Sentences of God's Curfwg againji Impenitent Sin- Author
rtersy fhculd be read, &c. They apprehended there- ( in aTrd^
fore, that even the Common Prayei- Book it felf,/?''^^ the
{ tho' in this Refped it did but fet up the Shadow in- Church of
ftead of the Subftance,) juflify'd their infifting upon'^'?^'*^'^^
the Reftauration of that Difcipline, which it own'd to '^ ^^\,
be loft, and the Recovery 6f which it reprefented as a- _ ^-*^^"
Thing highly defireable. And they tho't that the in-p^|^j°j^.g

Dirci|,line,'
confider'd, &c. thus expreffes bimfelf pag. 5. Wifhes are indeed Marks,
of a good Intention^ and an acceptable Zea^ where no more is pofjible to be
done 5 but e^er to Wilh, and mahe no Attempt towardi theThing wifh'd/or,
if it be Zeal, is fuchy as is a Reproach to it felf.

t i infertifif

276 The LIFE of Chap. X.

fercing this Confclllon and Wilh, was a plain Evidence
that the tirft CompUerii of the Common Prayer^ intended
a farther ProgreG, and a fuller Reformation than thofe
Avho come after them would give way to: and that the
Yearly Repetition of this ConfelTion and VViih in the
Pnblick Churches, was a Plain and Pablick Condem-

Id. ih'.d. j^-j^g themlelves for flopping (hort, and crying up that as
f*^e 116. pcifed, which they who were thehrft Managers of it,

* Tho- were fo naodeft as to own to have been Defedtive*.

mas Ro-

gas on the Thhti TJine Arilcle<^ Intituled the Englifh Creed, Frinted l$S$y
in a fmall Fclio^ in the Epiftle to the Reader, fays of the great Subfcript'tQn
urgd tite lafi Tear, What the Event will be, God knows, ibmC are of O-
rinion much. hurt thereby, hath ledoundcd to the Church of God: And
they think riot amifs in divei-sConfidcraLions. Others think that it makes
not a little to God's Glory. As for the Common Prayer Book, not one
that I know hath (imply refus'd to Subfcribe to it. Some withhold from
approving it in every Point by Subfcription, yet none Contemn it, bun ufe
it in Publick Cliurche?, always and only : , And many have fee their
Hands to it, and all 1 doubt not would, were that which isOffenfive Reform-
ed, and iliat which is Crooked made Strait, and that which is doubtful
made evident and plain; which Things are but few, and therefore may
more eafily be remov'd, and remain for the raoft part in. the Direfiions
and Rubrick, and tlierefore witli the lefs Offence may be taken away.
- Wc all of us acknowledge the good Things we enjdy,and tliat iheCiuirch
would Flourilh much better, if the good Laws already made, were faith-
fully put in Execution, and the true Difcipline of Clirift, fo greatly and
fo long vCilh'd for, weie firmly EftabliflVd.

Many of the Laity, were alfo afraid of .Sinning, in
Baptizing their Children with Godfathers and Godmo-
) Mr ^'^''^^'^' (?•) They were ready to Devote their Infants to
Hoadlv ^ ^^^ ^y BaptiCiD in the way that he had appointed -, and
Rcafon V ^^ promise to train them up in his Fear: But this would
Conf P. 2. not do. Now they durft not put others upon Covenant-
^ 17^, ing for their Children, with whom they had no Concern ^

That Af to thit^ and the Two follevp'ing Impoftions of Godfathers and God-
root])ers, the Crofs, ar.d Kneeling at the Communion, it is not advanced in
the Name of Moderate Nonconfornufi^\ He claims it of ui Miivflcrsy ai a
piece of Comm.jt Jufiice to the Lfiabhfh'd Church, that i»e ap<re ti^e Feop/e
that it If our Opinion they may laxpfiAily be complied with. But if Perfuns-
wiUnot he pcrfwaded that a compliance with thrfe Terms is Lawful, he owns
it hi4 Opinion, t'tat it is as mi<ch their Duty to fcparute fow ti)e Church of
England, asU i: ihe Duty of thofe of that Chwch to feparate fotn the Church
of Rome. Set my Re^lj, Dcf. o/Mod. Nonconf. Tm 3. /». 184, 185, &c.

or

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter, Q^y

or delire them f with an appearing Solemnity) to Pro-
mife, what they knew they meant not to Perform ; or
make Promifes which their Children when they grew
up would not be bound or obliged by ; They tho't their
Childrens Right to Baptifin, depended upon their Inte-
reft in the Divijie Covenant, and property in their
Children; and tho't the bringing in middle Perforis,
who were to be fubftituted in their Room, was a fixing
the Ordinance upon a falfe Bottom. And whereas icme
("who were for putting on the appearance of Moderati-
on) would tell them that they might if they infified up-
on it, be allow'd to give up their own Children, they
tho't it could not fairly be reconcil'd with the Confticu-
tion, when they, found it fo poficively declared by the
whole Convocation in 1603, in their 29th Canon, thai:
no Parent Jhnll be urgd to be prefent^ nor be Jidmirted io
Anf^er as Godfather for his own Child. And therefore
finding their Children fo peremptorily excluded frooi
Baptifm, without an Humane Addition which they '
could not underhand, and were nneafy under, they tho'c
themfelves at Liberty to make their Application to fuch
Minifters to Baptize their Children, as were free to do
it, without any fuch needlefs or dilfatisfying Impoii- ^^ ^^^^*
tion. p^g9iB6.

Withal,, many of them had Baptifm refus'd their
Children, unlefs they'd fubmit to the Sig72 of the CrojJ,
This they efteem'd an unwarrantable Addition to Chrift's
Inftitution. They were afraid of Encouraging Church
Corruptions by yielding to ic. They knew no Right
the Church had to make New Terms of Commr.nion,
or require their SubmilHonto fuch an Humane Inventi-
on. And therefore they left thofe v/ho would rather
leave their Children without the Seal of the Covenant,
than admit them to it, without fuch an unprofitable
Ceremony : and adher'd to thofe who were ready to ad-
mit their Infants into the Vilible Church of Chrift, up- j^ j^^j^
on his own Terms. pao-s 187.

As for Kjieeling at the Communion^ fome of the Laity
queftiond the Lawfulnefs of it; And while they did fo,
durft not yield to it, for fear of injuring their Confci-
ences. And yet knowing it to be a great Sin to live in
the total Neglec9: of that Holy Ordinance, they appre-
hended it their Duty to joyn in with thofe, of whom
they might receive it in a Table Pofture. Others not

T 3 ap-

2 78 The LIFE of Chap, X.

apprehending Kneeling at this Ordinance a Thing in
itfelf Unlawful, could (to :eftifie as much, and lo Ihow
their Chanty to the eftahliili'd Church under all its Cor-
ruptions) fometi'nes yield to receive in that way, who
yet could not be fatisfy'd to do it conftantly, leaft they
fhould be chargeable with not bearing their Teftimony
U. Ibid, againft Terms of Conimunion of Humane Invention,
fngc 193. ^,}^i^;h they efteemM a great Duty.

And it alfo much Prejudiced many Underftanding

Perfons againft the Church Party, to find Oaths made

fo light of, and to obferve a greater ftrefs focommon-

Jy laid upon their Ceremonies, than upon Knowledge

or Faith, or real Holinefs. They found themfelves

wretchedly Hampered and Enfnar'd by Fetters of the

/3>7/,^ Ciergics making. (S.) If they were intruded in any

Mr. Ho^.d- Corporarions, they muft for a long time be forced to

ly fayi is fwear that there was no Obligation at all, from the

Ttothinr but

inyeClhe : Reafon 0/ Conf. Tarti. p. y6. But as fight as be makes of it
cne K?l)i/ej and as folcmn as he is in hit Appeal or Adjuration another tvhi/e^
f. 79^ This injluencd 771 any, and fame of them very cofijiderate and under*
fiandin^ Temple too : And the OccafiojialBill, has not a little revived and heighten d
the Imprrffon. And indeed the Spirit oF the Church ought to be confider'd
i)l thii. Cafe. For K'hin they that had the Afcendant^ veuuld require all to
comply with their Humours and Tandei f, to confoxm to fuel) Impofitions as were
not vF.irr anted by Scr'pturc:, to comply Kriih fome Things that they judg'd un-
iarvjul^ or elfc they muj} be cafl out of the Church : H hen fuch a Conjiitution
as ours /< muf be fettled, in oppofttion to all ihe Perfw a/ions, Arguments, and
f'ntreanc', us'd by the Managers of the Conference at the Savoy ^ when fuch
irregular Ate hodi vere us d to fettle iJ)is Confiiiutifra-.^ and after it was once
fettled, to ff-nglhen and confirm it; Afcthods altogether Vnfcriptural ; Methods
Je/f rut live of dm (I i An Charity^ and highly prtjudiciul to the Souls of Men^
Akihxls direclly tending to vfea/:en the Prottfiaru Jntcrefi, and much to dif-
ferve Heli'SJ^n in Gener:il awong «* ; when they that had the Management
difcfivcfd fich a Spirit, I think they rrh") were for making the. Scripture
their Stand.xrd., had the more Beafon to withf and their Encroachments, (which
wrvc likely enough to improve in time) unlefs they would run the hazard of
the intirc lofs of their Purity and Liberty too, and have a Hand in betray-
ing both their Ciril and Riligintis Bj'^hts. Def. of Mod. Nonconformity,
J'ar' ^. p. 192, 19;.* And I think I may yery fafely add, that this Argw
tr.tw has lofi nothing of its force, fince the Clergy in the General, have in this
Kcign been fo unwearied in their P.ndcarours to get an Atl again/i Occa/i-
onal Confgrmiiy -, in the compaffing which at laff, they fo much
Triumph,

Qatk

Cktp. X, Mr. Richard Baxter. 270

Oath Ciird the Scletnn League and Covenant^ either on
ihe.n or any other : This feem'd to them a Proclaiming
Of Perjury Lawful, as to that part of the Covenant
u'hich was unqueftionably Lawful; as the renouncing
of Scaifm, Popery, Prophanenefs, ^c. They were
fadly pefler'd with the Corporation A^^the Veftry U^, the
Oxford AH, thj MiL'tia A8y C which were all Fram'd
by the ruling Clergy and their Patrons) whereby an
Oath was impos'd upon them not to endeavour any
Alteration of Government in the Church, to bind them
to left contented with what they could not but efteem
C'^rrupt : And they muft alfo fwear an Abhorrence of
taking Arms againft any Commiflionated by the King,
which they knew not but in time they might be obHg'd
to, by his breaking the Original Contract with his Peo-
ple ; which was afterwards actually found to be our
Cafe. Multiply 'd Burdens of this Nature, made the
Clergy efteem'd rigid Taskmafters. And when there
was any Effort made for Relief, to hear it become the
common Cry, O the Church, the Church is in Danger;
as if the whole Tabernacle totter'd upon the touching of
the leaft Pin: And at the fame obferving that they who
could not bate an Ace in the Ceremonial Part, were
yet ready enough many times to make confiderable A-
batements, in thofe Things in which lies the main of
Real Religion ; and that they who were fo fond of
their Conltitucion, had fo little Charity left for thofs
whofe Sentiments differed from theirs; and were ready
toqueftion the validity of their Miniftry and Ordinan»
ces, nay and even the Poflibility of their Salvation too,
if they queltion'd but the Jw Divinimi of Bilhops ; Such
Obfervations as ihefe made many of the Laity think,
that there was no fmali Danger of Encouraging them
in their Rigours, and affuming Prctenfions, by an Ad-
herence and SubmifTion to them.

Things being in the Pofture, that hath been thus
briefly reprefented; the National Conftitution being fo
contriv'd as to keep out many both Minifters and Peo-
ple, who were truly Confcientious upon fuch Accounts,
as thofe menticn'd ; it was a very natural Queftion,
what muft they do ? Without the Crofs, and Sponfors
there was no Baptifin to be had; without Kneeling no
Communion; without Submitting in many Pariflies to
unqualified Guides, there was no room left by the Law,

T ^ for

28o The LIFE of Chap.X.

for Miniflerial Inftruftion, and Paftoral help ; and were
the Things required own'd to be in themfeJves LawfuJ,
there was no falling wholly in with them, without Pra-
ctical fiibmitting to a pretended Authority of making
New Terms of Communion, which was more than
See thts ic could* be made appear, our Bleired Lord had en-
Branch of trufted any Mortals with : How then muit they Steer?
the vlr-M- y^^^ ^jj^y ^^^ ^-jj^ without any Oi'dinamres at allP Or
TT^ /'"f "^^^^ ^^^y ^^ againii th^ir Confciences that tliey might
j-^ //^'^'^ enjoy them? Mnft they be contented to be depriv'o of
How^iLet- ^^'-* n^ctlfary Means of Salvation ? Muft they live like
tertoaFcr- Pagans fill they got rid of their Scruples? That certain-
Tow?/^ ^4- -'y would be unbecoming Chriftians ; and unaccounta-
iity, TPho b!e in fuch as know the worth of Souls, and the weight
took ofence of Things Eternal. And if not, then they muft take
atDeanSCii' fitting Opportunities of Worihipping God according
lingHcets to their Confciences, in a freedom fiom infnaring Im-
Sermon. pofiticns ; being careful in the mean rime to maintain
Love and Charity, towards thofe from whom they
diffcrM. And this was the Courfe they accordingly
took; having fometimes the Smiles, and fometimes the
Frowns of the Government ; being fometinies tolera-
ted, and fometimes abridg'd ; till at laft the fruitlefnefs
of Rigour and Severity beini^ generall) evident, they
were taken under the Publick Protection, and had their
Liberty allow'd them by the Three Eftates of the Realm,
King, Lords, and Commons.

in the m^ean while, among other Charges that were
(\.) Mr ^^^"Sht againft them, none made more Noife than that
Hoadly of 5c/3//??i. (i.) Both Minifters and People upon the
Re^fonV ^^^^""'^ of their feparaie Affimblies, were cry'd out
Conf. Part upon from Prefs and Pulpit as dangerous Schijm.^tid^s,
2. p. 22$; ^nd under that Notion bro't under a Popv^lar Odium^
fays^ it im- and Jadcn with unfpeakable Reproarh. A great Duft
forts little was lais'd, with which the Hyes of many were too
to debate

this Pof^n of Schifm. J nm jait^jyd : But K>l)cr:erer kc that arc Dijfeiiters
are char^^d aa Schifmatick?, it mufi ticcejjart/y he a main Point how the \\ ord
Schiim i^ w'd in Scripiurei, becauje if the Senfe of the Word which it
there ufual^ be not af'p/icabJe to «j, we are not Schillnaticks in the Senfc of
Scripture. And then fit Mtn pre m that Name ercr fo /on^r^ or ever Jo
freely^ while we are not churn^eaUe wiih that UnchaiitahiCncfs whi(h is tite
Scripture badge of S&M'mw.l^k^, v- ••'-'/" n f. T^'f. f/" Mod. None.
/>. 2C4, 20$. -

much

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 28

much aiFed^ed, for them to difcern diftindly the Me-
rits of the Canfe in Debate. This hath been an ufual
Method, and is no new Invention. A Member of thek
own, the Ingenious Mr. H.iles of Eaton (who by 3 good
Token has had a great many hard Words for his Pains)
told them long ago, that Herejie and Schifm are Two Theo-
logical Scare-CrowSy us'd by thcje that feel{ to uphold a Par-
ty in R^eligion, to terrifie their Oppofues, However they
weigh'd the Matter, conlider'd the Grounds of the Charge
bro't againft them, found themfelves Innocent, and
made their Appeal to the Unprejudic'd and Impartial,
in divers Apologetick^ Writings.

They pleaded that their Pra£lice was not what the Moderate
Scripture calls Schi/m. As Schifm is there reprelented, Noncon-
it lies not fo much in variety of Opinions, or different fbrmifts
Pradices, Modes or Forms, or different Places of Wor- «» Schif-
[hip, as in a want of true Love and Charity. For as w<«t/f^^.
Hcrefii is oppos'd to the Faith^ fo is Schifm oppos'd to
Love 5 and both Herejie and Schifm are diftinguilfi'd by
thofe Things to which each of them is oppos'd. This
they evidenc'd by a diftin6t Confiderationof the feve-
ral Paffages of Scripture, where Schifm is mention'd ;
which do all of them fo evidently Point a^tVncharita-
blensjl as the difcriminating Badge of Schifmaticl{s, as
gave them abundan*: Satisfadlion they were Free from
guilt in this Refpedt, tho* feparating of Communion,
fo long as they took Care not to violate that Love and
Charity which ought to be among Chriftians. He that
is Converfant with Scripture may eaiily obferve, thac
there may be Schifm, or a Schifmatical Spirit working
in a Church, v/here there is no Local Separation; and
there may be a Separation and yet no Schi/m on the Part
of them that Separate : Nay, that there can be no Schifm
in Scripture- Account, where there is not an uncharita-
ble Alienation of Cbriftian Hearts from each other, be-
caufe of their differing Apprehenfions about leffer
Things of Religion. This being the true Scripture
Notion of Schifm, they tho'c it very evident, that fome
on each iide in this Debate, may be under Guilt; but
that all on neither fide were fairly chargeable: Particu-
larly, that all thofe who feparatc from the Church of
England are not juftly chargeable in this Refpedt, there
being many among them, who tho* they'll freely give
their Brethren of the Eftablifli'd Church the Preference in
' many

282 The LJ Ft, of Chip.X.

many other Things, will yet vye with them, for a free,
Jarge, and extenfive Chariry.

Palling from the Scriptures to the Prim'tive Fathers,
they found nuny of their Exclamitions agamK tlj.^ Sin
of Schifm very warm and leverc ; and perhaps it aiay
be made appear that feme of thetr, might Jay more
ftrefs (in their RepreCentarion of che Thing rhey fo hea-
vily Ccnfur'd,) on the bare Separation, and lefs on an
uncharitable Spirit and Temper, than we can difcern in
Scriptn'^e, which was their proper Standard, as well as
ours : But be that as it will, the Poor Branded .J.Jfenters
have not ftuck to own, that the heavy Cenfures of the
primitive Fathers, were better grounded tnan our Mo-
dern invedkives ; and they give this Reafon for it, which
deferves to be conlider'd ; vl:(. Becaufe the Church in
thofe Times made no other Terms of Communion,
than Chrirt had made to her Hands- Whereas 'tis now
quite oiherwife. And yet they found even as fevere a
Perfon as St. Cyprian *, delating
* CyprianiEpul. ^8. &Lib. I. that a Confcientioui People ought to
^ Epift. 4. See alfo the Confiituth fepnrate themfelves from a fcandalom
on and Difciplim of the Frimitive and xvicksd Pajior; whence they in-
CtfjirW;, j>a-e 144. & pa^e2i$- ferrM, that there may be fome juft

grounds of Separation, even in the
Sjenfe of the Fathers : And that even where there may
be the true Faith, and acceptable Worfliip ; where all
Sacred Ordinances may be validly adminiftred, and no-
thing that is necelfary to Salvation be wanting : And
confequently Separation even from a true Church, where
Ordinances are valid, and nothing neceflary is wanting,
is not in their Efteeni, (if they are confiftent with them-
felves) prefently d^wriAble Schifm.

Tlit-y farther Pkadt d, that their Separation was not
ChoJ'en and Vuluntary^ but Pored and Con^raitid. They
were caft out of the Church by their Impofitions, and
Excommunicated by their Canons : On which Account
many of the Lnudehfinn Faction, even to this Day deny
ihem Chrifti:^n Burial; (as the Charitable lAv, ^bert
Burfcou^h of Totnefly and others.) They were free to
hold conftant Communion with the Eftabliih'd Church,
upon thofe Terms which Chrift had made necclTary ei-
ther to vifible or realChrillianity, or to the Exercife of
the MiniOry; but were rcj^c^ed with Scorn without
farther Compliance, in Things which after the utmoft

Search,

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 283

Search, they could not find the Word of God would
Warrant. So that they did not throw out then:irelves,
but were rejected : They did not voluntarily feparate,
but were forc'd to it: They were Pafi[ive,and not A(^ive:
And having Petitioned, and Expoftulated, Pray'd, and
waited for a long Time to little Purpofe, they could
not fee any remaining Duty lying upon them, but to pro-
vide for the Necelfities of their Souls, and the Worlhip
of God, in the beft Manner they could, with Safety to
their Confciences ; maintaining Love and Charity to^
wards thofe who rejected them ; and waiting patiently
till they Ihould become fenfible of their unbrotherly
Treatment of them, and open a Door for their Reftau-
ration.

They farther Pleaded, that if there were a Schifm
amcng us, it moft properly lay at their Door, who laid
the Foundation of it by their fcrupled Impofiiions, and
might remove it, and prevent the Difmal Confequences
they fo much complain of, by leaving the Things that
are fo llraiily enjoin'd, in their proper Natural Indiffe-
rence. They found that the main inlet of ^11 the Di-
ftradlions, Confuiions, and Divilions of the Chriftian
World, bath been the adding other Conditions of Church-
Communion than Chrift hath done. They could meet
with no Charter that he bad given to any Perfons, whe-
ther they were cloth'd with a Civil or an Ecclefiaftical
Authority, containing any Power of making fuch Im-
policions. They durft not therefore encourage fuch Pre-
cenfions. If they would drop them, the Schifm would
vanifli. If they were fonder of them than of Peace and
Unity they tho't it a Sign that they hardly believ'd them-
felves, when they fp^ke fo warmly upon the Confe-
quences of a Schifm, they could fo eafily put an end to.
And whereas fome have Pleaded, it was not in the
Power of the Church to make fuch an Alteration.
The Anfwer is eafie; 'twas in their Power at King
Charles's Reftauration ; The King and Parliament then
did nothing in Ecclefiaftical Matters, without the Con-
currence and Influence of the Bifhops, and the Convo-
cation. *Twas alfo in their Power, when King H^iUi-
am afcended the vacant Throne, who prepared Matters
for them, propos'd the Alteration to them, and urg'd
it upon them, but to little Purpofco The Carriage of

the

284 The LIFE of Chap. X.

the Clergy in thofe Two JunOures is a plain Indication
of their not being encJin'd to that Alteration, which
might put a Period 10 that Schifm, about which they
make fach a Noife. We can t therefore have fo bad an
Opinion of them, as tofuppofe they fpeak as they mean,
when they rcprefent theTragicalConfequencesofafuppo-
{ed-Schif/n^ which they tnigh: fo caiily have prevented and
remedy'd, but would not. But however'tis as to that,
the Poor DiJJ'enurs tho't that the Ingenious Mr. H<jVj*s
Maxims, were fo clear and undoubted, as to be Self-
evident; and they found thcmrelves thereby fully jufti-
fied. They were thele : That vohere Cauje of Schlfm is
ncccjjary, there not he thnt Jcpar/ites^ hut he thnt is the
Ciiujc of the Separation is the Schifrnntich. And, when ei»
ther fnlfe or uncertain Conclufions are obtruded for Truth ;
and A^s either unlnvoful^ or miniHring ju!t ground of
Scruple are retjuird of us y to be perform d ^ in thije Cnfes
Confent were Conjpir^cy^ nnd open Conteitation, is not Facti-
on or Schifm, but due Chriflian Animofny. For that it is
alil{e unlawful to make Profejfion of i{nown or fufpcHed
Falfhoody and to put in PraHice^ unlaw^'ul or fujpeHed
Anions, And they were the more Confirmed in their
Adherence to thefe Principles, by finding the molt emi-
nent Divines of the Church, forc'd to make ufe of the
fame Maxiins, upon like Grounds, in their nobje
Defence of the Reformation, againft the B^omnnifis :
And indeed it fecm'd to them remarkable that they
which were reckon'd by the Clergy, the moft fuccefs-
ful Weapons againft the poor Dijfentcrs, (hould be the
fame that are us'd by the Papifs againft the Protectant
Reformation.

Upon the whole, if there be a Real Schifm between
the Church Parry and the Moderate Diffentersy they have
all along tho't that any Impartial Perfon muft judge,
that it muft be chargM upon the Impofition of Terms
of Communion, without any Obligation io Confcience
to make that Imnofition, fo much as pleaded or pre-
tended from the Nature of the Things impos'd ; rather
than on the refufing Compliance with fuch Impofitions,
under a Profelfion that fuch a Compliance, would be
againft the Light of their Confcicnces, and the bcft Un-
derftanding they could attain of the Mind and Will of
God in the Scriptures. They tho't that the Grounds of

their

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 285

their Diflatisfadtion above-mention d, fully prov'd thai ^He that
their Separation was not finful ; and therefore they ap- tpould fee
prehended it (hould be their great Care and Endeavour to this Matter
manage it fo peaceably and charitably, as that it might /«/(> can-
not become Schifmatic/tl*, yafs'd, may

s confult

Corbet's Votnt of Church Unity and Schifm difeusd. Baxter's fcarch for the
Engtilh Schlfmatick. Owen's brief Fmdication of the Nonconformifts from
the Charge of Schifm, Alfop's Melius Inquirendum, Fart 2. Ch. 2. page 200.
Wadfworth's Sefaration no Schifm. Henry's Brief. Enquiry into the J\'ature
cf Schifm : And Tong's ingenious Defence of that Enquiry,

A main Expedient which was pitch'd upon by the Their Occa-
moft Moderate for this Purpofe, was the Communica- j^^wrf/ cofn-
ting Occafionally with the Eftablifh'd Church, alrho' they »^f«'o»
at the fame Time held more Stated Communion, wirh ^'^^^ /^'^
feparate WorOiipping Affembliest. Hereby they tho't^f'^yfi^'^
they Ihould fliow their Love and Charity untotbofe from /"j j ^^'
whom they ordinarily leparated; and yetat the fame Time "x ^^j .
Ihould (how their firm Adherence to their Fundamental p^rt of [be
Principles, of keeping the Ordinances of Chrift, as he Debate a-
had appointed them without Additional Terms of Com* bout Occa-
munion ; and of purfuing in their refpediive Places and fionalCon'
Spheres a farther Reformation than has as yet been reach'd formity,
among us, in Order to an Happy Settlement. But taking ^^^ Hoadly
this Method, they have had the common Lot of thofe who ^^^5^6*
in any Cafe have been for keeping within a dueMedi- ^^"'^"^JPh
ocrity^ they have been eagerly Affaulted by thofe, who p^^^^^ ^f
have been addided to Extreams on either Hand of them, ^^^ ^* ^*
and run down as utterly inexcufeable becaufs of thcir^^ ^'^ °'
Moderation. They have let Things work, in hope, that ^,^ j i'^^
Time with Obfervation and Experience would open a /o^ /,/^
way for the Convidion of their warmeft Cenfurers; till diftinElly^
at length they have been trampled on, as if they had no- Fan 1 1 f .
thing to fay in their own Defence. o/Def. of

Mod. None.
from p. 21J. to p. I'll. But cannot think it needful (ej}ecially as Things
fiand) to repeat the Arguments on one fide or i other.

They have been reprefentcd as Hypocrites and in-
confiftent with themfelves, in pradtically owning the
Lnvofulncfl of the Terms of the Eftablilh'd Church,
by Communicating OccafwtiaUy with it; while they
have pleaded the linfulnefs of thofe Terms, in Bar to

con-

286 The LIFE of Chap. X.

conftant Communion*. But here"

* It has been commonly pleaded^ in there will not appear the leaft

that if Occaftonal Communion be InCOnfiftency, tO One that obferVCS

Liwful, Conftant Communion is a that the Terms of Communion

Duty. But it does not follow, with the Eftablifli'd Church are

There's a Fallacy in the Terms, ^ot pretended tO be fmful abfi-

By Lonflant Communion, they i^^^,^^ ^^^ ^^j^ refpctiivciy : It is nOt

mean full Commumon, and ex- pleaded, that they are of the Num-

tlufive of all other. Jsow our \ r V -tl- u r n- r i

Occ.lional Communion is not ber of the Things that are foS.«M

oft},at Kature. We do not fay f ^^at they can in no Cafe be

either by Word or Fraclice that i-^^f"', but among Thmgs that are

that is Lawful : He only commu- either Sinful or Lawful according

yticate vith you Occafonally in to Cireumftances. And indeed

th-ife Things in which vee are fa- moft ( not to fay all ) HumanC

tisfyd that we may ; ought we A(ftions, depend more upon Cir-
therefore to join with you inthofe comftances than we commonly
Thinp in which we are difatis- Obferve. Tho' no A(5^ion can be
fyd, which yet we muft do in ^^^^^ ^lut it muft have Agent, Ob-
Or^er^o Full W Conftant Com- ^^^^ Manner, End, Time, Place,
"^"^^^" • and other Cireumftances attending

it ; yet it may be confider'd, with-
out confidering at the fame Time any, or all of thefe :
And if we attend carefully we fhall find, that the very
fame Aftion as to the Matter of it, is made morally
Good or Bad, according as the Agent is proper or im-
proper, the Objedt fuitable or unfit ; and the like.
Thus plentiful Eating and Drinking may be morally
Good yr[ fome Cireumftances, as well as good upon st
natural Confideration ; when yet to do fo every MeaJ,
or very frequently, would be very bad ; 'twould be In-
temperate and Dangerous in Point of Health. So alfo
Fafting is laudable and praife-worthy, when fo ma-
nag'd as that it furthers in the Divine Service ; but
very prepofterous and pernicious, when fo oft repeated,
as that the Body is macerated, and the Spirits depau-
peratcd, and the Perfon concernd unfitted for the Ser-
vice either of God or Man.

Cireumftances give Adtions their Moral Goodnefs oi^
Badnefs. *Tis fo in this Cafe. The very fame Terms
of Communion, which are unwarrantably impos'd by
the Church of England, may he complied with upon Oc^
cafim lawfully, by thofe who would a6t irregularly and
finfuUy, (hould they fall in with them for a Conftancy.
The Adtion of communicating is the fame indeed in

SubiUnce

Chap X. Mr. Richard Baxter. 287

Subftance at one Time as at another, and the Matter
of that A<3:ion hath no Moral Evil in it ; fo that a fit
and juft Occalion may therefore tender it fit and lau-
dable; and yet the Conftancy of that Adlion may by
fuperadded Circumftances be made apparently Evil.
To thofe who take Things in grofs, fuch an Adion as
Communicating, appears the fame Thing, done now
and then, or for a Conftancy : But if the\ would give
themfelves leave to think foberly, they'd • foon fee a
great Difference.

The Aftion is the fame^ and not the fame. *Tis the
fame in one Refpedt, but not in others. *Tis the fame
as to the Subftance or Matter : but not as to attending
Circamftances. Communicating covjiantly under fuch
Impofiiions as are in the Eftabliih'd Church, is an A-
(Stion cloath'd with fuch Circumftances, as make it
highly different from Communicating occtifionally. The
one doth pradticallv pronounce the Adion confider'd
materially to be (what indeed it is) Lawful: The ether
does reprefent the fame A6lion as eligible^ nay, prefera^
ble ; which is contrary to the inward Senfe of the moft
Moderate among the D^Jf enters. Neither will the pri-
vate Expreflion of a different Senfe, be a fufficierit
Guard againft fuch Publick, and more forcible Lan-
guage of continu'd Pradice. The one does pradically
aifert the Liberty with which Chrift hath hath made us
Free, in Oppofit:on to rigid Separatifts : The other
practically betrays our Liberty, in Compliance with ri-
gorous Impofers. The one difcovers this to be our
Senfe ; this Worftiip is in the main Sound, tho* Irre-
gular and Defective : The other on the contrary, feems
to intimate as if Divine Worfhip were nor acceptable
without fuch fuperadded Formalities. Occafional Com-
munion manifefts, that in our Apprehenfion the Addi-
tions to Divine Worlhip that are bro't into the Church
of England, are not deftrudtive of the Elfence of Wor-
ftiip : Conftant Communion would reprefent Chrift's
own Inftitution as defedlive, and not orderly or decent
without them. The former condemns the uncharita-
bly Cenforious, when the other would appear to acquit
Ecclefiaftical Aflumers. The former fhows our Charity
towards thofe whofe Sentiments and common Pracif ice
differ from ours ; the Latter would be a confining our
Charity t« a Party, and a Pradical difowning and

condemning

288 The LIFE of Chap. X.

condemning all other Worlhipping AiTemblies. This
Latter Conlideration appears to be of great Weight ;
in that conftant Coitimunion with the Eftablilh'd
Church, is by its grcateft Advocates imended to be
exclufive of Communion with all others: And there-
fore that Church has provided ( by Canon xith)
That if any one ipeak of feparate Congregations, as
true Churches, they Ihall be Excommunicate, C^'c. Now
thefe Moderate: Difftutcrs have all apprehended, that
Ihould they thus confine their Communion within the
Limitsof that Party, ( or indeed of any other Party of
Chrirtians in the Land) and avoid all other Chriftian
Aflemblcs and Places of Worfhip, as efteeming them no
true Churches, they (hov^ld prove themfelves deftitute
of a Chriftian Spirit, whatfoever Church they might
pretend to belong to. Now where lies the Incon(ift:en-
cy in the Cafe, when we don't aflert the Terms of Gom-
miinion in the Eftablifh'd Church to be fimply finful,
( i. e. that it is finful to do the Things themfelves that
are requir'd) when yet we aflert it to be finful to bind
up ourfelves by thofe Terms : Whereby we lliould be
oblig'd to do continually, what we have only Liberty to
to GO more rarely, and upon fit Occafion.

They have been farther call'd upon to confider the
Strefs laid in Scripture upon Pence and Vnion^ which is
fo great, as feems to require the facrificing of any PJeas
•to Things that are To valuable, fo Truth and Holinefs
be but fccured ; and they have been over and over
told that they appear not to have the due regard there-
to, while they cannot Sacrifice to them fo much as their
own greater particular Satisfaction. To which they
have an cafie Reply. They have as great a Regard to
Pctice and Vfu'cn as their Brethren ; and ihow it by their
Readinefs to go as far in Order to them, as they
can conceive they Lawfully may ; which they do by
occafionally Communicating with them;, but as for
conftant Comumunion they therefore only refufe it, be-
caufe it is in their Apprehension unlawful to them, for
the Reafons above fpecify'd, notwithftanding that the
Occafional be lawful. We may lawfully for the Sake of
Pcace and Quietnefs, put up Injuries and Affronts ;
rjay, it is a certain Duty : And yet to do fo for aCon-
ftancy and in all Cafes, were fo far ftom being lawful,
that it wonld be a ruining ourfelves, and contributing
to the ovcrdirow of Common Right and Juftice. Tho*

Imay

Chap. X. Mr. Kichard Baxter. 289

J may be allow'd, nay requir'd, to Sacrifice my own
private Righrs in many Cafes, to the Common Peace,
yet I muft not endanger a Publick Mifchief, or Ruin,
for fear of a little prelent Difturbance. What were this,
but as if for fear of difturbing a Peccant Humour in
the Body, we Ihould fuflfer it to proceed uncontrourd,
tiJl it prov'd Fatal? And certainly the Oftence taken by
Bigots, at the afTerting againft them a truly Chriflian
Liberty, is no better than a Peccant Humour; not in-
deed to be needlefly enragM ; and yet much lefs to be
quietly fuffer'd to become predominant. As for the
more Moderate DilTenters, they are therefore againft a
Pradtical abetting of Impofitions, as being the great
Engine of Difturbance and Divifion. They are hearti-
ly defirous, if it be poftible, and as much as in thenn
lies to live peaceably with all Men: And for that very
Reafon would not willingly be found Combating thofe
whom they cannot convince. They are free to acknow-
ledge, that to an offending Brother, gentle Methods
and Time is due; and much more to a Church that
needs Reformation : But the waiting time feems to bo
now over, when the Practice of fuch Things as needed
Reformation is heighten'd into declared Purpofes, of
perpetual adherence. Have not thefe Things been en-
deavour'd to be riveted by a Solemn Oath never to cn^
deavour (no not each Man in his place) any alteration
in the Church ? Have not thofe who would have con-
tinii'd in the Church, complying as far as they could
without Guilt, been Ejed^td for that very Reafon, be-
caufe they would do all they could to better it, and leaft
they Ihould ? And was it not the declared Senfe of the
Body of the Clergy after the late happy Revolution,
that no Amendments were needful or delireable, or to
be yielded to ? To what purpofe then is it to wait any
longer ? Hath not that Method been try'd long enough
without Succefs?

Should any think that by going (if totally from the
DifTenters, to a full and fole Communion with the
Church of England, thty might Contribute lomething
towards difpofing McnS minds, and paving the way, to
the defir'd Alterations ; they would do well to confider,
that they have very little Reafon to hope to J!ain that
Characfter and Reputation with the High Church Party,
as Ihould make them of any Significance, unlefs they

U would

1^0 The LIFE of Chap. X-

would Counter-adi the very defign of their yielding
fuch a Compliance. Before they could Infinuate them-
felvfs into any good Efteem, they muft pretend their
Preference of what they think but tolerable, and there-
fore would go into the Church that they might Contri-
bute to its Amendment in. Nay, ihey*l find it will be
expedted they IhouJd lliew a Hatred and Contempt of
what they think preferable, and would go inio the
Church to make way for. In a Word, they would not
be able to make their way to the doing the good they
aim at, but by Speaking and Adting Contrary, both to
iinceriry, an^^ to the very end they propofe to themfelves.
For if they who have always adher'd to the Eftablifh'd
CUurch, are fufpedied when moderate, and exploded
vvhen appearing to deiire or endeavour any Reformati-
on; it is but conlentaneous to Pveafon to expedt, thac
they who come ot! to ic, muft be much more fo.

Up"in the whole, the moderate Diflenters think they
have fufliciencly acquitted themfelves as lovers of Peace
and Vmon^ by fhowing their readinefs to do any Thing
in order to it, which they can conceive they Lawfully
may do. Nay, they think they have herein outdone,
their Brethren of the Eftablilh'd Church, who might
have e'er this remov'd the hindrances of Pf4ce and XJnion^
without any Danger of Sinning, but would not.
Notwicbftanding their continu'd Refufal, they yet fliow
. their Peaceable Difpofition, by Communicating occa-
fionaliy wirh them ; and cannot conceive that even the
God of Peace and Order does allow Chriftians to fol-
low External Peace and Order, to the great and appa-
rent Prejudice of inward Peace, and general Purity ; and
tbe'f f >re they dare go no farther.

Ti»ey have been further Charg'd as being herein want-
ing in their Duty to the Civil Magiftrate; but in their
Ap,"ehenfion very undefervedly, fince upon the ftri£left
Fnqiiiry they cannot find themfelves in thisrefpedl juft-
ly Blumeable. They are ready to Demonftraie their
^^!ard to Ci' il Governours by Submiflion to what they
/hould lefs choofe, nay to what would be to them a
HariOiip: Bat in what is in their Judgment (after the
utmoft Search) finful, they dare not comply ; as look-
ng upon themfelves countermanded by a Superior Au-
jho'ity. This Article of the Controverfie hath been
manag'd very Wordily 5 but after all that has been faid,

they

Chap. X. Mr. Richard Baxter. , 2^1

they are fully facisfyM in this, that Obedience to the
Magiftrares in conttant Communion with the E/ia-
bh(h*d Church, cannot be made appear to be a Duty;
any farther than the Thing itfelf is Evidenc'd to he
Lawful. *Tis commonly aflerted, that we have more
certainty that we are bound to obey Authority in, ail
Lawful Things, than we have that wha,t is required of
us is Unlawful. Be it fo: yet thq certainty of its be-
ing our Duty to obey Authority in all Lawful Things
can no farther affedi our Confciences, than as we have
Evidence that what is required is in its attending Cir-
cumftances Lawful. Be this Principle undoubted and
confefsM ; yet that it is rightly apply'd, and cogent or
binding in the prefent Cafe, can be no clearer or furet
to us, than 'tis clear and fure that the Things requir'd
are Lawful. Should Parents upon their own Judgment,
or any Sinifter Confiderations, plead their Authority
with a Child for his Marrying a Pap^'if, "''ging his
Obligation to obey theiii in all Things Lawful; if he
in the mean time but doubts the Lawfulnefs of comply-
ing with them in this matter, he hath a f ifficient Coun*
terplea, vi:^. that the Thing requir'd appears not a-
mong tbofe Lawful Things.- And yet he may comply
fo far, as Civil Occafional Converfe with PapiBs, may
be manag'd without Dangerous Temptation. Tho' a
Son in fuch a Cafe were not able to Demonftrate the
^jnlawfulnefs of entire Compliance with his Parents
Commands, yet it were fufficient that they could not
clear to him the Lawfulnefs of fo doing ; fince 'tis up°
on that Suppolition only, that the Argument hath any
force ifi it. And it is the fame alfo in the prefent Cafe.
They have been alfo charg'd as T^mfoyi:(eis^ in Com-
municating Occafionally with the Eftabl Ih'd Church,
becaufe it was Necelfary to Self-Prefcrvation when the
Laws againft Dilfenters were rigoroi<lly Executed, and
hath been >jece(Tary to the holding any Port in the Go-
vernment, ever fince the Sacramentel Teft* To which
they have this to fay, that let Meli make what Cla-
mours they pleafe, whoever will fairly confider Things
will find, that it is not a matter of Policy, but plain
Duty, to do what we Lawfully may do in all its Cir-
cumOances, in Order to Self-Prefervation, and the pre-
venting ruin ; and alfo in order to the more general
Ufefulnefs. What is indeed unlawful may not be done ;

y % btii

292 The LIFE of Chap. X.

but what is in all its Circumftances Lawful, ought to
be done in fuch a Cafe ; and that Occafional Commu-
nion is of the number of fuch Lawful Things, hath
been all along held by the more moderate Dilfenters.
This Opinion of theirs was not taken up with the Sa-
cramental Teft, but was own d long before, by many of
their moft noted Minifters, and moft Intelligent Ad-
herents ; And having declar'd that for their Opinion,
and regulated their Pradice by it, from the beginning
of their Nonconformity, they could fee no Reafon why
the fuperinducing fuch a Teft, ihould make any Change
or Alteration, either in their Principle, or Correfpon-
dent Pradlife. And whereas they have upon this Ac-
count been cenfur'd as guilty of Carnal Policy, it will
appear to any impartial Obfervers, one of the falfeft and
moft fenfelefs Charges in the World. For had the
more moderate Diflenters any Self-Intereft to ferve and
purfuc, feparate from the common Good, they muft
have been wretchedly overfeen if they had not taken
a q-jite different Method: For their particular Intereft
hath been far from being fervM by this Means, nor
was there any likelihood it fiiould. They might with
much greater cafe make and hold faft their Party, by
fuggefting an utter unlawfulnefs of Communicating at
all with the Eftabli(h*d Church, than they can convey
the Diftincftion to common Capacities, by which they
. muft defend themfelves, and engage the Adherence of
others in a conftant Communion, in their feparate
Alfemblies, while they profefledly allow them an oc-
cafional one elfe- where. For the minds of Men are
generally for taking Things in Grofs, and accounting
them altogether good, or altogether bad, and arc im-
patient if not incapable of attending to thofe differen-
cing Circumftances, which render an Ad:ion that is the
fame for Sabftance, one while and in rhisrefpcdt Law-
fal, and another while, and in another refpedt unlaw-
ful. And in being willing for the fake of Truth and
Charity to run this Apparent hazard, they have all a-
long tho't they have been fufticiently cleared from this
Imputation.

They have been alfo warmly AfTauIted upon the-
Head of Sc/irhinl; and told by fome, that their occa-
fional Communicating v^ith the Eftablifh'd Church
which they thought Lawful, led othets in imitation of

them,

Chap. X. Mr, Richard Baxter. 295

them, to fuch a compliance as they judg'd finfuJ.
Their Reply was not to feek. Were occafional Com-
munion abfolutely indifferent; had they not been o-
blig*d to it, for the Teftification of their Charity, and
other binding Reafons, they were not then to ufe their
Liberty, for fear of mifguiding others by that Practice,
which they might without Sin have altogether omitted :
But when what they did as Duty, and with aJJ that
Guard which the difcharge of fuch Duty would allow,
is mifconftrued, 'tis not a Scandal given, but only ta-
ken. They were alfo told by others, that this Liberty
they took in Communicating Occafionally, was matter
of Scandal to many in the Church of England^ who
were hereby confirm'd in their way, and led to think
that rheir Impolitions were juftify'd by their thus abet-
ting them ; and they Self-Condemn'd, by not falling
heartily in with them. In which cafe they had this to
fay for themfelvesj that the largeft Charity is always
liable to the moft Mifconftruc^ions : And that when
they only difcover'd their Senfe of the bare Lawfuloefs
of Communicating with them, while their Stated Separa-
tion, with their ready Defence of it (when call'dupon)
fhow'd they were far from apprehending it preferable ;
if this Ihould be interpreted as an Encouraging them,
it would be thro* a faulty want of Confideration, and
the blame muft lie at their own Door. And when they
were told by others that they ought to mind the Apo-
ftles Charge, and mark thoje who c^ufe Divifionsj their
Pradtice anfwerM for them, that it was their great en-
deavour to keep from Extreams,and mark uncharitable
Dividers on both hands of them; that fo by carrying
it with as Difinterefted an Integrity as was Pofliblc,
between the furious Biggots on both fides, they might
both fnve themfelves from the untoward Generation where^
in they Hvd^ and do what they could to pave the way
for that Coalition of the more moderate of all fortSy which
was the Thing that from firft to laft appeared to them
moji defireable, and which (they yet conceive) will at lafi
h found Neccfftry to our common Security' y

U 3 " pH A^

294 ^^^ LIFE of Chap, XT.

CHAP. XL

Mr. ^h^TZi:s Settlcmerithz LONDON.

The Occafion of his Separation fiom his

: Beloved People at KEDeRMINSTER.

Flif Carriage to them after he left them,

-., HfS Labours in LONDON, till he was

V'- Abilene' d.

The St ate \ T IT Hlh^ }At. Baxter continued in a Private
9f Ajfnir:\ \/ \/ Comer of the Country his Name grew Fa-
vfben . r. ^ ^ moup all over the Nation: And when he
Baxter was afcervV'ards more in general view, by being fix'd in
came to ^ fhe City, which is the common Center of the Land;
London. He kept his Reputation, and his ufefulnefs was the
. piore Exienfive. He came to London at the time when
'all Things tended to work a mighty Change. Prote(^or
I{jchn;d was depus'd, and the Government that Suc-
ceeded, Was very Precarious and Changeable. Some
'tho't the Obligation to I\j char H was not diflulv'd^ iior
" could be till ar other Parliament ; or till he had made a
. fulicr Ren-inciation of the Government. Moft were
"'•weary of the frequent Changes they had paft thro* ; Ail
had great Expectations from the Approaching Parlia-
riient. The King's Return was what was generally de-
fir'd ; and that even by thoG% who had but a Melan-
cholly Prorpedt of the Confequences of fuch an Alte-
ration: For they could fee no h' pe of a Settlement
any other way. The minds of People were in no fmall
Commotion, thro' a variety of clandeftine Rumours.
Politicians were b'lfily at Work to quiet and fatisfie
ihe;n. They procnr'd fevcral Letters to be written
from France^ full of high Eloginms of the King, and
A ITli ranees' of his firmnels in the Proteftant Religion.
Among thr relt one was written by Monfieur Gnches^
a famous Preacher at Chojenton to Mr. B^f't**, declaring,
that the Kir)g was prefent at Divine Worlhip in the French
. Church at lli^nr, and I^che/^ tho* not at Charenton,. The(e
Letters were Printed, andfttisfy'd many.

The

Chap. XL Mr. Richard Baxter. 295

The New Parliament was no fconer met, than they His
appointed a Solemn Day of Faiting and Prayer, in or- Preaching
derto a general Humiliation for the Sins of the Land 'o-renfon
and to invoke the Divine Bleirmg on their Confultati- ^«^/'f^Oc-
ons, Mr. Baxter was one who Preach'd before them ^'*^'"^^? ^^'
upon that Occafion. It was upon the laft of April 1 660.
In chat Sermon, fpeaking of the Differences then on
Foot, and the way to heal them, he toJd them that
whether they fhouU be Loyal to the KJ^g ^oi no matter of
Difference ; in that all agreed; it not being pojjible that a
Man fhould be true to Proteftant Principles, and not be
Loyal; as it xvof impojfible to be Loyal upon Pcpijfh Principles,
And as for matters of Church Government, he told
them it was eafie for moderate Men to ccme to a fair A-
greement ; and that the late Arch-Bifhop 0/ A R M A G H
and he, had agreed in half an Hours Difcourfe^ Sec. the
Papifts were angry at his Charge, tho' he cited Canon
the third of the Lateran Council under Pope Innocent
the Third, which was a full Juftilication of his Alferti-
on. The very next Morning afcer this Day of Failing,
(May the ift.) the Parliament voted home the King,
Nemine Contradicente. About the fame time, there
was a Day of Solemn Thankfgiving in the City, for
Monl(s Succels, &c. and Mr. Baxter Preach'd before
the Lord Mayor and Aldermen at St. Pauls ; and he en-
deavour'd to fhew the value of that Mercy, fo as toihew
alfo, how Sm and Mens Abufe might turn it into matter
of Calamity : and what ftiould be the right Bounds and
Qualifications of rhat Joy. Dr. Morley being often free
in his Difcourfe for Peace and Union, Mr. Baxter ob-
tain'd a Meeting with him, and had an Hours Difcourfe
upon that Subjed:. The Dodror fpake much of Mo-
deration in the General, but would not parly upon any
particular Terms of Peace. He fpake much for Litur-
gies, and againft Exremporary Church Prayers ; And at
length declar'd that the Janfenijis were numerous among
the Papifts, and many among the French inclined to Peace,
and that to his Knowledge, if it were not for the Hin-
derances which Calvin had laid in the way, moft on this
fide the Alpss would come over to us; by which what
he aim'd at was eafily Difcover'd. When the King was
come home, Mr. Baxter PreachM once before him as
his Chaplain ; and often waited upon him with the reft
of the MinifterSj as has been before related ; ufmg his

U 4 utmoft

296 The L 1 F ti. of Chap. XI.

utmoft endeavours to keep Things from coming to ex-
tremity ; in which the' he Succeeded not to his Delire,
he yet had the Satistacf^ion of the diiinierefted Sincerity
of his Airr.s and Intencions.
Hhe'uCH' King Chnrlcs had not been long in England, before
0/1 at K<^.- the Old Sequeltred Vicar of K^dcrminftei\j (who was yet
dcrminrttr, hving) was reftor'd to his Parfonage. He had before
andcndca- remain'd unmolefted. And iho' the Parliament had
your to hare in^dc an Order that no Sequeltred Minifter iliould have
contmud |3J5|^fj}^ part unlefs hcremov'd out of the Parifli where
he had been Minifter, yet did Mr. Baxter never remove
hi'.n cu: of the Vicandge Houle, no, nor once came
within the Doors of it ; fo far was he from feizing it
ns his owPj or removing him out of the Town. But
he liv'd in Peace and Quietncis, and without Scandal
and OfFcnlivenefs. He never difcover'd any uneafinefs
till the times chang'd, and then was as Alfuming, as
before he was Submiilive. The Sequeftration continu'd
in the hands of the Towns-Men. They gathered the
Tythes and Profits, and thus difpos'd of rhcm. Mr. Bax^
tcr had 90/. per Annum, the Old Vicar 40. 61. Yearly
went ro the Lord for Rents : There were alfo fome
other Charges ; and the over-plus was given to Mr. Bax-
ter's AfliRant. When the Vicar was reftor'd, Mr. Bax-
ter would gladly have been his Curate,- for he was fo
fenfible of his own infufficiency that he always kept one ;
but even this could not be granted. Being often with
my Lord Chancellor afrer the King's Return, he when
he refus'd the offers of a Bdhoprick, begg'd his Lord-
fhips Fa\our about a Settlement at f^edcrmivfter. Sir
Ji-TlphCUre was the great Obftacle; v.'ho once freejy
told him that if he would Conform, no Man in EtigUnd
was fo fit to be there as he; but if he would nor, no
Man fo unfit. Ojice meeting Sir ^iiph in Bifhop
Morley's Chamber, he defir'd to know if he had any
1 hingagainfl him, that (hould make him fo much oppofe
him. His anfwer was, that it was becaufe ho would not
j:ive the Sacrament to any Kncelinq; andthat.of iSoo
Communicants, he had not above 600 for him, and the
reft for the Vicar. Mr. Baxter reply 'd that he himfeJf
knew that he invited him to the Sacrament, and offered
it him Kneeling, and that under his hand in Writing:
and that openly in his hearing in the Pulpit, he
fcad promis d him and all the rcfl^ that he never had nor

wouJd

Chap. XL Mr. Richard Baxter. 297

would put any Man from the Sacrament on the Account
of Kneeling, but leave every one to the Pofture they
jhould choofe. And that the Reafon why he never
gave it to any Kneeling was, becaufe all that came
would (it or ftand, and thofe who were for Kneeling
would not come, unlefs he would adminifterit to them
on a- Day by themfelves, when the reft were not pre-
fent : And he had no Mind to be the Author of fuch a
Divifion, and make as it were two Churches of one.
And that the Confcioufnefs of notorious Scandal
which they knew they muft be accountable for, made
many Kneelers flay away. And as to the Second
Charge, he begg'd Leave of the Bilhop to fend by the
next Poft, to know the Minds of the People j for that
if he f^und what was ailed g'd was true, he Ihould take
it as a Favour to be kept from them. This being under-
ftood by the People of Kjderminjier^ they in a Day s
Time gathered the Hands of 1 600 of the 1800 Commu-
nicants, and the reft were fuch as were from Home.
This Subfcription he a few Days after (how'd Sir I{nlph
before the Bifhop, and they were both of them there-
upon To much the more againft his Return to then».
However, my Lord Chancellor wrote to Sir E{alph a-
bout the Matter, and told him that it would be a
Thing grateful both to his Majefty and himfelf, for
Mr. Baxter to be refettled among that People according
to his Defire, and ofter'd that whatever Annual Allow-
ance (houid be agreed upon for Mr. Dance the Old Vi-
car, lliould be paid by his own Steward by Quarterly
Payments, till he was otherwife provided for to his Sa-
tistadtion. But it was a meet Compliment, and had
no Effefl. Not long after, he went himfelf into ^or-
ceflcrfhire^ to try whether it were pofTible to get any ho-
neft Terms from the Vicar, that he might preach to
his former Flock. But when he had preach'd Twice or
Thrice, he denied him Liberty to preach any more.
He ofFer'd him to take the Lecture only which he was
bound to allow him under a Bond of 500/. but he
refus'd it. He offer'd to be his Curate, which alfo was
refus'd, He offer'd to preach for nothing, but could
not be accepted. At length he only begg'd leave once
to adminifter the Sacrament to the People, and preach
his Farewel Sermon to them, but could not obtain it.
The Vicar adted herein according to the Diredion of

his

298 The LIFE of Chap. XI.

his Superiors Going afcerwards to the Bilhop, he al-
togecher denied him the Liberty of preaching in his
Diocefs. He offered him to , Preach only on the
Creed, the Lord's Praver and the Ten Commandments;
and only to fuch as had no Preaching ; bur could not
have Liberty. The Bifhop tola him that he would take
Care th? People (hould be 110 Loofers, but ftiould be
taught as well as they were by him : And for a while
he procmM rhe rnoft ac»:eptable Perfons he could get to
keep up the Led^ure, till the finalhiefs of the Auditory
furnidi'd him with an Excufe for putting it down.
One Day Biihop Morky took the Pains to preach to
thcni hiuifelf ; and vehemently inveyM againft the Peo-
ple as Presbyterians, and againft Mr. Baxter their Mi-
nirter, but with little Acceptation or Succefs. A while
after the Dean, Dr. H^aryneftry did the like, and fpent
Three Hours upon the People to cure them of their
Admirarion of Mr. Baxter^ and within a Month, be
repeated his lnve£fivc, taking a great deal of Pains to
perfwade them that they were Presbyterians and Schif-
matical, and led to it by overvaluing Mr. Bnxter, Their
Le£luf es ran much in the fame Strain generally, which
inftead of winning upon the People drove them from
the LeCiure, and then they accusM them as deferring it,
and fo put it down. For their ftated Preacher, the Bi-
fhop fet lip one of the beft Parts he could get, but he
was quickly weary, and went away ; then he put in
nne that had been a Schoolmafter in the Neighbour-
hood, who died in a little Time. Then he put in a
young Man, who fought to win upon the People by
kind and gentle Ufage, and applauding Mr. Baxter,
The People were glad of one that had fome Charity :
And yet were not either by roughnefs or gentlenefs, to
be won upon to the Love of Prelacy.
Advice to When he parted from his dear Flock, which was not
bii 'People without mutual Grief and Tears, he left Mr. Baldwin
tphen he ' ^^ ^i^e pnvately among them, and over-fee them in
left them '^ bis Stead, and vifit them from Houfe to Houfe; ad-
and Car- vifing them notwithftanding all the Injuries they had
Tiaire to- receiv'd, and all the Failings of the Minifters that
rvards them preach'd to them, and the Defecfts of the Eftablilh'd Way
ajtertvardi. of Worfhip, that yet they (hould keep to the Publick
Alfemblics, and make Ufe of .fuch Helps as they might
have there, together with what Help they had in Pri-
vate :

Chap. KI. Mr, Richard Baxter. 299

vate : And only in three Cafes to abfent themfelves.
When the Minifter was one that was utterly infuffi-
cient, as not being able to teach them the Articles of
the Faith, and ElTentials of true Religion ( fuch as
Alas they had known to their Sorrow :) Or when the
Minifter preach'd any Herefy, or Dodlrine which was
contrary to any Article of the Faith, or neceffary Pare
of Godlinefs : Or, when in the Application he fet bim-
felf againft the Ends of his Office, to make a Holy
Life feem odious, and to keep Men from it, and to pro-
mote the Intereft of Satan. Yet not to take every
bitter Refle£l:ion upon themfelves or others, occafion* d

"^by Difference of Opinion or Intereft, to be a fuffi-
cient Caufe to fay that the Minifter preachM againft

, Godlinefs or to withdraw themfelves. He therefore
V^mov'd his Dwelling from among them, becaufe they
themfelves apprehended that his Stay with them,
would have been much to their Damage, thro' the Bit-

, ternefs of his Adverfaries. And when he was gone
from them, he did not fo much as write a Letter to
them, except once a Year, leaft it fliould be the Oc-
cafion of their Suffering. For had they but received a
Letter from him, any difplealing Thing they did,
would have been imputed to that. For Inftance, when
the AS: came out, requiring all that had any Place of
Truft in Cities, Corporations or Counties, Ihould be
put out, unlefs they declared that they held, That there
is no Obligation lying upo7j them^ or nny other Per/on, from
the Onth call'd the Solemn League and Covenant^ the Bailiff
and Juftice, and thirteen Capital BurgefTes of Kjder-
minjfer^ except one that had been an Officer in the
King's Army, and moft of the Twenty five Inferior
Burgefles alfo were turn'd out, tho' very few of them
had taken the Covenant themfelves. It was faid,
that Mr. Baxter had perfwaded them to refufe
this Declaration, till it was manifeft that he had ne-
ver fpoke a Word to them about if, nor then written
a Line to them of a long Time. But fuch Things as
thefe were what poor Mr. Baxter was us'd to. No-
thing more common than for him to have fcandalous
Reports fpread Abroad concerning him. Of which this
Inftance among others was remarkable j that juft at the
Time that the Bifhop was filencing him, 'twas reported
at London^ that he was in the North in the Head of a

Rebellion I

300 The L I FE of Chap. XI.

Rebellion 1 And at Ksdcrtyiivfier he was accus'd, becaufe
there was a Meecing of fcveral Minifters at his Houfe,
which had been Cuftomary for feveral Years. While
they were at Dinner it fell cut, that by Publick Order
the C'vcnttnt was to be burnt in the Market-PIace,
and it was done under his Window. The Atten-
dance was Co fmall, that they knew nor of it till after-
wards. And ycc becaufe he had preach'd the Morning
before, (which was his laft Sermon among them) upon
Ch rift's Words upon the Crofs, Father forgive thenty for
they knovp not what they do : He was accus*d of it as an
heinous Crime, as having preach'd againft th€ burning
of the Ccvcutint. Altho' he meddled not with it, nor in-
deed knew of it till afterwards.
f/o«7 thn ^^hcn Mr. Bfrxn^r afcerwards publifli'd hisBook call'd
rv'tre ^iffcci- ^^^ ^^^'^ ^-^ Church DivJfioru, even his Old Kjderminfter
€d, after Flock began to cenfure him. For it having long been
their Suf- the Aim of chofc who preach'd among them, to make
firings for them think him a Deceiver, they grew more and more
ji'ciifonfor- alienated from the Prelates and their Adherents. Con-
7»ity. tinuing to repeat Sermons together in their Houfes,

many of them were laid long in Goals, among
Thieves and common Malefadlors,which much encreas'd
their Exalperation. They continu'd their Meetings
whilft their Goods were feized on, and they wereFin'd
andPunilh'd again and again. And they that fell out with
the Biihops for cafting out Mr. Baxter^ and fpeaking ill
«f him, were fomc of them very Angry with him, and
forward to cenfure him, for ftrengthning the Hands of
Perfccutors as rhey caji'd it, by perfwading them of the
Lawfulnefs of Commnnicating in their Pari(h Church,
wiih a Conformable Miniiter in the Liturgy. Notwith-
ttanding which he continu'd the fame Care of them as
before, and was as concerned for their Welfare as ever.
At length their Old reading Vicar dy'd, about the Day
of the Oaie of the Adl againft Conventicles. Sir I{alph
CUre his thief Friend dy'd a little before him. And
now Mr, PuTXtfy was in a Capacity of helping them to
a valuable ufeful Marl, who fhould have made it his
Bulinefs ro promote ferious Religion amongft them.
For the Old Parron Colonel John Brid^/s^ had fold the
Patronage of the Living to Mr. Thomas Foley ^ with this
Condition, that he ihould prefent Mr. Br.xtcr next, if be
\vcre capable of it 5 and if nor, that he fliould prefent

no

Chap. XI. Mr, E\.ichard Baxter. 501

no other but by his Coofent ; xo which Mr. Foley readily
agreed. So that he now had a fair Opportunity of
helping them to a Man to their Hearts Defire, which
was his real Intention and Endeavour. Many tho't he
would now have Conform'd himfelf ; there being a Va-
cancy in that Place, where he had offered to preach as
a Curare, whenherefus'd aBilhoprick : Many of theBi-
Ihops beljev'd he would now have come into the
Church ; Particularly Arch-Bi(hop Stem of Tork,, fpake
thus to a Minifter : Take it on my Word, Mr. Bax-
ter doth Conform, and is gone to his Beloved J\edder-
minilrer : But he had no fuch Tho'ts, and aim'd only at
helping into that Place, one who might be fincerely
bent upon promoting the Good of Souls ; which he
found a Matter of greater Difficulty than he could he-
fore-hand have apprehended it. For the Religious Peo-
ple (who were the main Body of the Town and Pa-
rifh) refus'd to have any Hand in bringing in another
Minifter into the Church, leaft they fhould feem to
Confent to his Conformity, or be oblig'd to own him
in his Office, They were not by all the Means tfaac
could be us*d with therr, pievaiFd upon at all to con-
cur in the Matter, Whereupon Mr. Baxter alfo refus'd
to meddle in the Choice : The rather becaufe if he
had, fome of his Enemies would in all Probability ha\ e
been forward eno' to fay, that he contradled for fome
Referve to himfelf. And withal, he knew that Mr. Fo-
/o the Patron (who was a Smcere, Religious Man)
would make the beft Choice for them he could. This
Mr. Thomm Foieyj was indeed a great Bleiling to that
Town and Country. He was rais'd from very fmall
Matters, to an Eftate of above 5000/. per Annum by
Iron- Works : And that with fo juft and blamelefs
Dealing, that afl Men he had to do with, magnify 'd
his great Integrity. Having the Patronage of feveral
Livings belonging to the Lands he purchas'd, he made
it his Bufmefs to fill them as they became vacant with
Worthy, Ufeful Minif^ers. And in Thankfulnefs to
God fur his Mercies to him, he built a well Founded
Hofpital near StourbridgCy to teach poor Children to
Read and Write, and then fet them Apprentices : And
"endowed it with about 500 /. fer Annum. How hap-
py would this Land be, were fo Good and Pious a Ufe
of great Profperity. a Common Thing I This worthy

Gen-

502 The LIFE of Chap. XI.

Gentleman was many Ways exceeding helpful to the
Town oi Ksderminfter : And particularly upon the Va-
cancy fore-mentionM, he put in a valuable Man to be
their Minifter ; of whom they themfelves gave this
Account, that he was an honeft Man, and a good
Preacher, declaring they had rather have him than ano--
ther. When he wasfix'd among them, Mr.B j.s;rfr wrote
Letter to them to join with him in Prayers and Sacra-
ment. But their Sufferings had fo far alienated them
from the Church Party, that they would not yield that
this Letter (houid be fo much as read among them.
Mr. Bix- As for Mr. Baxter^ when he had Preach'd up and
ter'i Fub- down in Londm in feveral Places occafionally for about
itch La- a Year, he at length fix'd with Dr. Bates at St. Dunftans
hours tn the in the i>VeJi in Fleetjlreet ; and preachM once a Week,
City^tillhe 2is Ledlurer, having an Allowance from the Parifh for
Kfas St- jjis Pains. Seeing which Way Things were going, he
/er.ca. for his better Security, applied himfelf to Biihop 5/be/-
^ow, for his Licence to Preach in his Diocefs. Some
were offended at his taking this Step : but he went to
him as the King's Officer. The Bilhop received him
with abundance of Refpedt : But offer'd him the Book
to fubfcribe in . He pleaded the King*s Declaration,
as exempting from a Nerellity of fubfcribing. The
Bifhop bid him therefore write what he would.
Whereupon he fubfcrib'd a Promife in Latin, not to
preach againft the Dod:rine of the Church, or the Ce-
remonies, in his Diocefs, as long as he us'd his Licence.
Upon which he freely gave him his Licence, and would
let his Secretary take no Money of him. And yet he
could fcarce preach a Sermon, but he was inform'd
from fome Quarter or other, that be preach'd Sedition,
and refle(5led on the Government : When he had nei-
ther a Tho't nor Word of any fuch Tendency. But he
had a crowded Congregation, and that was one Thing
that ftirr'd up Envy. And one Day the Crowd drave
him from his Place of Preaching. For it fell out, that
in the Midft of a Sermon of his at St. Dunftun$^ a
little Lime and Duft (and perhaps a Piece of Brick or
Two) fell down in the Steple or Belfry near the Boys,
which put the whole Congregation into a fudden Me-
lancholy It was tho't the Steeple and Church were fa I-
ing, which put them all into fo confufed a Haf^e to get
away, ihat indeed the Nolle of the Feet in the Galle-
ries*-

Chap. XI. Mr. Richard Baxter. 305

ries, founded like the Fall of the Stones ; (o that
the People crowded out of Doors turn ultuou fly. The
Women left fome of ihem a Scarf, and fome a Shoe
behind them , and fome in the Galleries raft them-
felves down upon thofe below, becaufe they could
not get down the Stairs. He fat ftili in the Pulpit
all the while, feeing and pitying their vain Diftem-
per, and as foon as he could.^bc heard, he intreat-
ed their Silence, and went on*.

The People were no fooner quieted * p,. B^^es in bis Funeral Ser-
and got in again, and the Auditory man for Mr. Baxter, reprefenn
COmpOS'd, than fome that ftood up- it as a fgnal Inftance of his firm
on a Wainfcoat Bench near the l^aith In the Diyine Frovidencey
Communion Table, brake the ^»d his Fortitude (as indeed it
Bench with their Weigh r, fo that '^'^O ^^^^ 4^^^ *^c ^«''r)' »/'<'«
the Noife renewed the Fear again, ''''" Occafion was oyer, he reaf-
andthey were worfediforder'd than ^'^'^^ ^]'' Difcour/e, v>lth thU
before. So that an old Woman was T'^L / r'^f ^'^ '.'/ '"'"C^f'

, J , /-., , i-v , . the Minds of the Feople : Wq

heard at the Church Door askmg ^^^ . ,,. L,.„:^^ J ^^a r^
^ . r c r^ i £ 1 • ^^^ ^^ ^"^ oei Vice 01 v.,'od, to

Forgivenefs ot God, for not taking p .^ ^^^ felves, that we

the firft Waromg ; and promifing niay be feailefs at the great

if God would deliver her this once, Noife of the diflbiving World,

ftie would take heed of coming when the Heavens fhall pafs

thither again. When they were away, and the Elements melt

again quieted, he went on. But »n fervent Heat 5 the Earth al-

ihe Church being Old and Dange- ^o and the Works therein Ihall

rous, the Church- wardens deter- ^^ burnt up, c^c.

min'd to repair it ; and fo he was

forc'd to preach out his Quarter at Sr. Brides Church,

where the Common Prayer was us*d by the Curate

before Sermon. On the Week-Days, Mr. Afhhurfi

with about Twenty more Citizens defir'd him to preach

a Ledlure in Milkrftreet^ for which they allow'd him

4c /. fer Annum, which he continu'd near a Year.

And at the fame Time he preach'd once every Lord s

Day, at BUckrFrynrs, where he would take nothing

for his Pains, for fear of rendring the Parilhioners

lefs able or ready to help their worthy Minifter

Mr. Gibbons.

The Laft Sermon he preach'd in Publick was at

Blacks-Fry ars^ on Mny the 25ih, 1662. For which he

was accused, as telling the People, that the Gofpel

was now departing from them. And he was told by

the Lady Balcarret ^\thzx. the Old QuQen of Bohemia was

much

304 The LIFE of Chap. Xir.

much offended, that he (hould fay the Gofpel was going
away, becaufe fome Minifters were filenc'd and others
put in their Places. Whereas there was not the leaft
Colour of Ground for fuch an Accufaticn, from any
Thing he faid. Thus he ceafed from his PubHck Mini-
ftry Three Months before Bartholomew Day, the Time
when the reft of his Brethren were filenc'd ; which
was a Thing for which many cenfur'd him. But he for-
bore Preaching fo foon, partly becaufe the Lawyers did
interpret a doubtful Claufe in the Ad of Uniformity,
as putting an End to the Liberty of the Ledtarers at
that Time ; and partly becaufe he would let all the
Minifters in the Nation underftand in Time, what his
Intentions were, leaft any might be influenc'd to a
Compliance, upon a Suppofition that he intended to
Conform.

CHAP. XII.

jln. 1662. Hk own and his Brethren! Treatment after
^ The their Ejection^ till the Indulgence in l6j\.

Cafe of

the Non- /' B-AHE ejefled Minifters, continud for Ten Years
^^^n^^'r I i" * St*te of Silence and Obfcurity*. It was

mifts after, J^ jj^^-j. ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ Endeavour to be found in

mew^D^" ^^^ ^^y ^^ ^^^^^ Duty to God and the King ; but they

* There had been many Writings pubUpid Pro and Con, from the Time
of the 'RefioratioHy and they vpere continued in 1661, and 1661. BiJf)o(> Gau-
dcn r^^rote for the fiecefjity of a Liturgy. Another wrote a fober and tempo-
rate Vifcourfe concerning the Interefi of Words in Frayer, the jujl Antiquity and
Tedegree of Liturgies^ or Forms of Frayer in Churches^ with a Fietp of the
State of the Church when they were jirfi compofed or impofed ^ together with
n Difcovery of the Heaknefi of th^ Grounds upon which they firji brought in-^
or upon which Bifjop Gauden hath lately difcourfcd the JCectfjity of a Liturgy^
&c. Lend. 1 66 I. (^. There was alfo puhlifl/d a fhort^ fober and paciftk
I X ami nation of fame Exuberances in, and Ceremonial Appurtenances to the
Common Prayer, by William Prinne, Efcj-^. TJje Liturgical Confider-iror
confidercd^ or :i brief View of Dr. Gauden s Coiifideraiions touching the
Liturgy of the Cliurch of England, By G. F. Tl)ere was alfo a Controverfy
warmly carried on, 1662, andl66^, between Mr. Zach- Crofton, and others^
cct\ccrnin^l Communion witJ) the Church under her prefent Corruptions ; ])0W jar it
was latpfula'nd warrantable, and how far not fo. But thefe Debates affetied
mt thofe 'bat had Power in their Hands^ mr did they afford the Sufferers any

Ke/icf could

Chap. XII. Mr. Richard Baxter.

305

could not be fiifferU to live in. Peace. Such v^as the ^'^^ i^<^i'
Policy of the Court, that they mul\ either be crnfli'd
by their Fellow ?YoteJUnts, to the itrengthning of the
^omifh Intereft ; Or if favour'd with any Connivance,
they muft have the Fapifts Partners with them, that
fo the Prorejiant Intereft might be chat Way weakenM.
This 'was a great Hardlliip that attended their Cir-
cumftances ; but it was altogether their Unhappinefs,
and very remote from being their Choice j and there-
fore no Matter of juft Refledrion. * The Adt of Uni-
formity as has been faid cook Place, Aug. the 24th,
1662. On the 26th of Decemher (ollo'wing, the King
publifh'd a Declaration, exprefling his Purpofe to
grant fome Indulgence or Liberty in

Religion not excluding the Papifts f rhe Houfe of Commons oh

many of whom (he laid; hnd dejerv d Feb. 25, |65J, Voted agalnji
fo well of him. Some of the Nfl»cow- any /mc/> Indulgence, and Pur^
formijis were hereupon much en- fuunt to their Vott^ -waited en
courag'dj and waiting privately on
the King were fill'd with Hopes.
They would have perfwaded their
Brethren to have thanked the King
for his Declaration j but they re-
fused, leaft they Ihould make Way
for the Toleration of the Pnpifls.
The Declaration took not at all,
either with Parliament t or Peo-
ple • And (b the poor Nonconfor-
mifis were expofed to great Severi-
ties. They who at the King's
coming in were fo much carefs'd,

his Majefiy v?lih their Humble
advice that no fucb Indulgerxe
might be granted : And tn their
Votes they gaye their Reafons ;
but they were fuch,as that ye'ry
Parliament ( a^ well as they
who fucceeded it ) when they
came to difcem the Growth of
Pa£)ei'y, found to hare littU
Strength or Subftance in them,
and therefore they afterwards
favs? good-Reafon to Vote the con-
trary.

^ As foon as the Aft -of Uniformity took ^lace, more Plots were hatch'dy
to keep up the fame Spirit^ as Yarrington'5 Plot firfl ftirrd up. Thomas
Tongue, George Philips, Francis Stubb-, James Hind, John Sailers, and
Nathaniel Gibbs, were tried for High Treafon, and rcere cnndemnd in De-
cember, 1662, and an Account of it publifjyd^ entituled.^ A Brief Narra-
tive of that Stupenduous Tragedy, late .intended to be a6^ed by the Sara-
nical Saints of thefe Reforming Times. But whoever reads their Trial,
will fee Reafon to conclude that the Court was very willing they fl^ould be
thot Guilty, to enflame the Populace againfi fuch as d d n>t fall in with the
Chuich of England, and ferye fome other Purpofes which were then on foot.

were

-o5 The LIFE of Chap. XII.

-ri«. 1 5:: 2. were now ireated with the utmoft Contempt. The
iilenc'd Minifters were not only forbidden to preach
* in Publick, but were fo carefully wacchM in Private,
, xhat they could not meet to Pray togetherj but it was

a Seditious ConventicJe. Mr. Baxter and Dr. Bates
.were defird to be at Mr. Beales in Hatton Garden^ to
pray for his fick Wife, who had a Feaver, and was at
ihe laft Extremity. Thro' fome other ncceffary Occa-
fions they fail'd of being there, and if they had not,
they had been apprehended. For Two Jnftices of
rhe Peace, Living far diftant from each other, the one
at iVcfiminJier and the other ztClerkenweli, came thither
with a Serjeant at Anns to feize ihem. They fearch'd
the Hon fe, and even the fick Gentlewoman's Cham-
ber, and were difappointed. But tho' they efcapd,
many Holy and Excellent Minifters quickly after were
laid in Goals in many Counties in the Land, for the hea-
vy Crime of Preaching and Praying. As Mr. Cool{ of
Chefter^ ( the Sufferer for joining with Sir George Booth,
to make Way for the King's Reftauration) Mr. 'Nor-
mati of Bridgewater, Mr. Allen of Taunton^ and
Mr. Bn?npfieldy Mr. Ince, and Mr. Sachcverell^ and
orhcrs in Dorfctfhlre^ &c.
Ah. ]563. In June 1663, * The old Peaceable Arch-Bilhop of
Canterbury, Dr. Juxon died, and Dr. Sheldon Biihop
Ac 7;,/.< of London fucceeded him. And much about that
Year \66i. Time there was a frefh Difcourfe rais'd of Liberty
rv.t^ pxtb' d^ffign'd for the filenc'd Minifters. They were blamM
Upj'd an by many, for not Petitioning the Parliament 5 tho' they

Jiff ti dote

to cure the Gihmitts of their Trembling for fear of the Ark, by Vr. Wo-
inackj v;ho tJ^o't it worth his While to fend into the World n laboured jpcr-
formance^ in Op^ofuion to an Occafional ILxtcmpornry Sermon of my gaod Old
Grand father's. The World fmil d at it ^ but he hnd his End. His Dedica-
tion is KemarJcabU. It rum thui : To the Strenuous Impugners af Schifm
and Rebellion ; the ingenuous AfTertors of tlie King's Supremacy, Crown
and Dignity i the zealous Patrons of tb-e Churches Hierarchy and Liturgy,
the vigorous Cnam^jons of Decency and Uniformity in God's Publick Wor-
fhip \ the Honourable Reprefcnrative of all the Commons of England now
in Parliament .ifltmbled, under the mofl Excellent and AuQ)icious Majcfty
of Chitrla the Second, Leiv?rcnce Womack. D. D. Arch-Deacon of Sujfoll',
dcdicaceth thefe his Occalional Meditations, in Jultification of the prefent
Settlement of God s Solemn Service in the Ciiurch of England, againft the
ScJ UJjjiatical Fears and Jcaloufies, and the Seditious Hiati and lulinuations

had

.Chap. Xn. Mr. ELichard Baxter. 507

bad Reafon eno* againft it. Many Members encou- ^«- 166$.

rag'd the Expectation of either an Indulgence , of Mr. Ed-

or a Comprehenfion. And it was thereupon vjdsm- mundCaU-

ly debate«d, which of the Two would be more de- wj. The

fireable. Some were for Petitioning for a General -Author in

Indulgence, thus arguing with their Brethren; TouJ'^'^^^^i

are Blind, if you fee not that the Jid: of Vniformity was ^•'^ ^^^^rd,

made fa rigorous, and the Weight of Conformity fo much ^ '^^^

encreafed, that jo the dumber of the Ejected- Minifters f,^^

might be fo great, as to force them to be glad of a ^J v

General Toleration, which might takje in the Papifts. And ^j^^^^ ^^^^

if you thinks to ft and it out, they wilt yet bring you to it ^^^ ^ ^ook

in Defpght of you. They will encreafe your Burthens, and of another

lay you in Vrifons, till you are glad to petition for Juch a Nature c air-

Toleration, And ft and it out as long as you can, you ft:all fed, Icha-

le forcd to procure the Papifts Liberty ; and the Odium bod, or

of it foall not lie on the Bifhops, but on you that are fo Five

much againft it. The Bifhops fhall fppa!{^ ^g^i^ft if, ^'nd they Groans of

will force you to beg for it, who are againft it. And if ycu^^^^^^^^^'^^^^

will not do it now, you do but ftay till the Market rife, Pj'udently^

and your Suffering's be made greater, and you foal I be gUd^'^^y'^^'^^'*
1 • J ^' ,. ^T- L u r J and pafUo—

to do It at dearer l\ates. 1 o whom others replied, ^ J ^^^ ^

that they would fufter any Thing rather than promote ^^^JyJ'^^
Popery, her Second

Tall^ tJneat-
Tted^ by thefe Five Dangerous, tho undifcernd Mifcarria^es that camd her
Virft, viz. I. Undue Ordination. 2. Loofe Profanenefs. ^. Unconfcionable
Symony. 4. Carelefi Non-Kef dene e. 5. Encroaching'^ Pluralities. Hum-
bly prefcnted to her Suprcam Head and Governor, the Kings moft Excellent
Majefiy, and his Great Council the Parliament,&lc. This Book tho' hi^^h eno^
for the Hierarchy, and the Ceremonies, and li)^ fever al Parts of Conformity,
was yet written with a very grave and ferious Spirit^ and warmly complains
of above Three Thoufand Minifters admitted into the Church, nrlio were unft
to teach bee aufe of their Touth : And of One Thoufand Vive Hundred de-
bauch d Men Ordain d : And of many Unlearned Men Ordain'd : And oj
One Thoufand Three Hundred Vorty-two Tallious Minifers a little before Or-
dain d : It complains alfo (among other Things) that of Twelve Thoufand
Church Livings] or thereabouts, Three Thoufand and more being impropriate^
and Four Tlwufand One Hundred Sixty-five being Sine-Cures or Kon-Kefident s
Livings, there was but a f-oor Remainder left for a Painful and an Honef
Minijhy, for the Glory of God, and tl?e Salvation of Souls. Mr. Cawdrey
alfo thii Tear wrote againf Conformity.^ 82c.

X 2 hU.B.'iX^'er

^g8 The life of Chap. XII.

^^n. i6r;. Mr. Br.xrcr was about this Time confuked by a
Perfon ot Honour concerning the Matter fo much
taik'd oi : He preis'd him to give him his Judgment,
whether the Way ot hidiilgencs or Ccmprchenfion wgis
more dtlireablc. He freely gave him his Tho'ts lo
this Purpofe ; That he was not for Comprehcnfion with-
out Indulgence ; nor for Indulgence' without the En-
largement of the A61 of Uniformity to a greater Com-
pchenfioti ; but tor the ConjurK^tion of both. He was
not for Comprehenjion alone, becaufe when they had
goiiC the fartheff, many worthy Perfons, whofe Gifts
in the Chgrc^h might be very ufeful, would be ftill
left out ; and there would be much want when all
were employed ^ and the Lofs by their being utterly
Siienc'd would redound to the Souls of many. He
was not for Indulgence alcne, uniefs the Law were
Trade more Comprehenfive ; becaufe the Impofitions
and Reftridlions of the Law were really unaccount-
ble ; becaute nothing can be more defireable than
the Strength and Unity of the Eftabhfti'd Body of
the Clergy ,• and becaufe a bare Indulgence would be
apt to Occafion fuch Jealoulies and Animofities^ as
that it would not be long enjoy'd in Peace : And
therefore he declar'd, he was for a Comfrehonfion of as
n^any fit Perfons as might be taken in by Law, and then
a Power referv'd to his Majefty, to indulge the Rem-
•nant as far as might be conducibie to the Peace and Be-
nefit of Church and State.
ۥ the All But inftead o^ Indulgence or Comprehenfion^ on the
ag^iinfl Laft Day of June, the A<^ againft Private Meetings for
them, caird Religious Exercifes pafs'd the Houfeof Commons, and
the Cotu'cn- Ihortly after was made a Law. The Sum of it was,
tide Alt. srhat every Perfon above Sixteen Tears who ts frefejit nt any
Meeting under Colour or Pretence of any Exercife of ^li-
giony in other Manner than is allowed by the Litur"^^ or Pra-
Bice of the Church of England, where there arc Five Per^
fens more than the Hou/hold, fhall for the Firjl Offence^
h '^ Juflice of Peace be I^cordedy and fent to Goal Three
Months^ till he pay 5 1 ; and for the Second Offence Six
Months till he pay I o 1 ; and the Third Time being Con-
I'itied by a Jury^ fhall be B^nifl:>'d to fonie of the American
Plantatio7:s^ excepting New-England or Virginia. It
ivas a great Hardlhip that attended this A£f, that fo
much Power was given by it to Jufticcs of the Peace, to

Record

Chap. XFL Mr. Richard Baxter. 509

Record a Man an offender without a Jury*: And if ^«. 166^.
.they did it cauflcfly there was no Remedy, feeing every
Juilire was fnade a Judge. Before the Danger and
oufFei ings lay on the Minifters only, but now the Peo- ^ ^
pie aJlo were forely try'd. t ^"'^^''^

Fol.^. /'.' 249. /rf^J, That this is a wrong Complaint, and a RefledHoa
upon many Qther of our wholefome Law?, which could never be executed,
it Evidencenpon Oath before a Juftice of Peace, could not make him To
far a Judge, as to pronounce the Penalty exprefs'd in the Letter of the
Law, without the Formality of a Court and a Jury. It is fufHcienc (fays
he) that the greater Offences, and the greater Penalties aifeftino Life, or
Liberty, or Eltate, fliall not be determined by any private Jullice.^, but ia
the more folemn Manner of Court, and Judge, and Prifoner, and Jurj\
And fo it was by this very Acl accordingly provided, that no one fliould
be convifted of the Third Offence, which incurred Banill-iment, without
a, regular Trial by a Jury. And hereupon hU Margin is decently "-rac'd
with the Miftakes of the Author of the Abridgment. But had this Author
eyer had his Goods feiz''d and taken from him, fo as not to hare had fo
Tnuch as a Bed left to lie on, (v?hlch was the Cafe of feveral of the ejeft-
ed Mini(iers) purely for affing according to his Confcience ; and this upon
the Evidence of a fcandaloiis Informer, and Villains hir'd by him to
fwear what was for his coveted Gain, va^hich Mr. Viercc honeftiy ob-
ferves v^as the Cafe of the Nonconformifis when this Afl k^^ execufed
againft thsm. ( See his Third Plea for the Nonconformifis, p. 75/) I ctn
hardly fuppofe he would have applauded the Law for its VV'hoiefomnefs,
or have reckoned the charging this with being an Hardship, as any yery great;
Miftake.

After this the Nonconformifis were nor a little, di- .4^. 166^.
vided among themfelves, as to the Lawfulnefs and
Expediency of Worlhipping God in the Publick
Churches, ove» and above their Private Meetings ftill
kept up with great Secrefie. Mr. Baxter and Dr.
Bates^ and feveral others with them, were for fre-
quenting the Publick Churches, when better Helps
were not to be had ; And for reforting to them now
and then, tho' they had their Choice, to (how their
Charity. They were for having their moft ufual
Communion with thofe AflembHes, which they tho'c
were manag d moft agreeably to the Rule and End
of Worlhip ; and yet for having Occafional Commu-
nion with others, as Members of the Catholick
Church, to (how their Catholick Communion with

X 3 all

3IO The LIFE of Ch^, XH.

An 1 65$. all the Body of Chrift. But others were vehement for
* ThU an entire Separation*.

fublijb'd Mr. Alkiirs Call to Archippus .• Beim^ an Humble nnd Earnefi
Motion to the Fjcfled Miniflcn by \\ nj of Utter, to take heed to their Mi-
wjlry that they fulfil it.

At length Mr. Baxter finding his Publick Service
at an End, retires into the Country to Atlon in Middle-
/e.v, that he might have the more Leifure for Writing.
He fix'd there in the Month of July^ where he fol-
lowed his Studies privately in Quietnefs, and went eve-
ry Lord's-Day to the Pnblick Affembly, when there
was any Preaching or Catechizing ; and fpcnt the reft
of the Day with his Family, and a few poor Neigh-
bours that came in.
An. 1(565- ^" the Time of the Plague, Anno 1665, he went
TheFlarue. ^^ ^^' Hampden's ill Buckinghamfhire ; and there was
Mourning for that defolating Stroke, which carried off
about an Hundred Thoufand Perfons in the City of
London, befides a proportionable Number in other Parts
of the Land.

The lilenc'd Minifters had till this Time preach'J
very privately, and but to a few, (not fo much ihro'
their Timeroufnefs, as in Hope that their Forbearance
might at Length procure them foine Liberty .) But when
the Plague grew hct, and the Minifters in the City
Churches fled, and left their Flocks in the Time of their
Extremity, feveral of the Nonconformifts pitying the
dying and diftreffed People, that had none to call the
Impenitent to Repentance, nor to help them to prepare
for another World ; nor to comfort th?m in their Ter-
rors ; when about Ten Thoufand died in a Week ;
were convinced that no Obedience to the I aws of any
mortal Man whofoever, could juftifie their neglcc^ling
Men's Souls and Bodies in fuch Hxtrcmitics, any more
rhafi they can juftiiie Parents for famifliing their Children
to Death. And thereupon they refolved to ftay with
:he People, enter the forfaken Pulpits, tho' prohibited,
and give tbc:n what Afliftance rhey could, umler fuch an
awakening Providence, and alfo vifit the Sick, and get
what Relief they couK! for the Poor, cfpecially fnch as
were fhjt ip. The Perfom that fet upon this Work,
were Mr. Thomas Vincent^ Mr, Chejlcr^ Mr. Janeway^

Ghap. XI/. Mr. Richard Baxter. 511

Mr. Turner^ Mr. Grimes^ Mr. Frankjyn, and fome o- An, i66$.
thers. Irhofe often heard them one Day, who were fick
the next, and quickly died. The Face of Death did
fo awaken Preachers and Hearers, chat the former ex-
ceeded themfelves in lively fervent Preaching ; and the
latter heard with a peculiar Ardour and Attention.
And thro' the Blelling of God, many were converted
from their Carelefnefs, Impenitence, and youthful Luds
and Vanities ; and Religion took that hold on the Peo-
ples Hearts, as could never afterward be loofed.

And whilft God was confuming the People by this qp i q \
Judgment, and the Nonconforraifts were , labouring f^^.^^^^jj"^*
to fave Men's Souls, the Parliament which fate at Ox-
fcrdy was bufie in making an Ad: of Confinement, to
make the Cafe of the filenc'd Minifters, incomparably
harder than it was before, by putting upon them a cer- ^
tain Oath, which if they refused, they rauft not come,
(unlefs upon the Road) within five Miles of any Ciry or
CorporationjEny Place that fent BurgelTes to Parliament,
any Place where they had beenMinifters,or had preach 'd
after the kdi of Oblivion. The main Promoters of
this Adt aaiong the Clergy, were Arch-Biihop Sheldon^
arid Bifhop H^ard of Salisbury : And tho' the Earl of
Southampton Lord Treafurer (who was one that had
ever adher'd to the King, but underftood the Intereft
of his Country and of Humanity) vehemently oppos'd ity
yet the Lord Chancellor and his Party carried it f- f In the
When this Adt came out, thofe Minifters that had any Lettet frsim

a Ferfon of
Quality to his Friend in the Country, in the Second Folume of the St^ieTi-^CXs
of King Charles'5 Reign, this Matter is thus exprefs'd. This was flrongly
oppofed by the Lord Treafurer Southar/ipton, Lord H harton. Lord A^dey^
and others; not only in the Concern of rhofe poor Minifters that werefofe-
verely handled, but as it was in ittelf a moft unlawful and unjuftifiable
Oath ; however the Zeal ot that Time againft all Nonconformifts eafily
paffed the Aft, pag. 42. See alfo Conformifls Second Plea for the Nqa.
conformifts, pag.io^ii. That in a Time both of Wat and rf aTlague-i fuch an
AB as the Fire Mile Act ff)ou/d have paj7, vpill amaze all that da not kyji>t9
the Secret of that Time : Says Bijhop Burnet, in his Speech in the Hoitfe sf
Lords, about the Occaiional Bill, in 1 703. And in another Speech of his,
in the Houfe of Lords, on Marcli 1 6. I JOf'-. upon Occafion of tite Artislei
rf^rt/«/2'D)*. Sacheverel, he has thefe Words : To the Word Commiffion' d by
the King, fome moved that the Word Lawfully might be added, to make
all plain. This was prefled in the Houfe of Commons by Vaughan^ afcer-

X 4 Main-

512 The L I f tL of Gbap. Xll.

-4«. I <56$. Maintenance of their own, found out fome Dwellings
ward Lord in o'jfcurc Villages, or in feme few MaTket-Towns
CI]ief-Ja- j.^^^ were not Corporaiions: And fome that had no-
mce ot the ^^^j^^^ left their Wiyes and Chikircn, and hid them-
ommon- f^jvcs abroad, and foofietimes canoe kcretly to them by
The An Night. Bat the moft, refolv'd hereupon to preach the
tornev Ge- ^^^^ freely in Cities and Corporations till they went
nerai after- ^o Prilbn. Partly becaufe they were then in the Way
ward 'Lord c>f their Calling, in which they could futfer with the
Chancellor greater Peace ; and partly becanfe they might do
Kottm- fome gocid before they fuffered, and partly becaufe
^ham, an- the People much dedred it, and alfo were readier to
fwer'd, relieve fiich as laboured among them, than fuch as
That was (jjd nothing but hide themfelves ; and partly becaufe
not necef- ^^\^q^ j^ey lay in Prifon for Preaching the Gofpel,
f^,^^y°\ both they and their Wives and Children, were like to
Comm:ri.n ^"^ niore Pity and Relief, than if they Ihould forfake
imporfcd ^^^^^ People, and their Work. Seeing therefore the
ir i fincc

if it was not lawfully iiTaed our, to lawful Perfons, and for a law-
ful Reafon it was no CommifftoH ; and the whole Houfe affented to
this : Yet in the Houfe of Lords the fame Word Lawfully was
prefs'd to be added by the Earl of Southamptan^ who was ani'wered
by the Earl of Anrlefey^ to the fame Purpoft with what had been faid
in the Houfe of Commons. He indeed infifted to have the Word
added, becaufe it would clear all Difficulties with many, who not hav-.
ing heird of the Senfe givf.n in both Houfes, might fancy that any Sort
oi Commijjtnnhting granted it would not be lawful to refift it. He did
not prevail ; for it was faid, Tliat his Explanation being the Senfe of
both Houfes, it would be foon fpread and known over the Nation.
jind yi*t our Late Englifh Hi/? or i a ft, Tart g.- p. 259.* fays, J h:it the Mac-
. tPrs of Fafl here delivered, arc very much to be qucllion'd. / real/y
think r.ot, after this Elucldalion of my Lord of SariimV, tvhich fl^errs u*^
vchat Grounds my Lord Keeper Bridgman had to proceed upon. He add'^
That there hardly appears to beany Diftin£^ionin a private Perfon's Law-
fully or Unlawfully Lndcavouring any Alteration of tlic Government in
Churcli or State, fince whoever cndeavoursic, will befurc to think it Lriwfu]
lo to endeavonr. Kotieithfi andin^ which there /till remains as peat a Diffe-
rence between them, as between Right and Wrong, Good and E.vil, Juft
and Unj'Mt. Afid he intimates, ti)at there ourht rather to have been a D/-
flindion at the round ExpreJJton of not taking up Armsagainfl thofe Com-
niiifionatefd by the King, in purfuance of luch Commlifion : And he
fayi^ they mi^ht rather have dcfr'd to have it thus explain d or under-
Jhnd -^ thofc^ tf^a: are Leg:illy ComnnTionated, in a Leg^l Purfuance of
fuch CommifTiou. But 1 dont fee why both Explications were not yery
dcjireable.

Queftion

Chap. XII. Mr. Richard Baxter. * 315

Queftion came to this, whether Beggary, and Famine to An. 166$,
themfelves and Families, with the deferting of their
Calling, and the Peoples Souls, was to be chofen, or the
faithful Performance of their Work, with a Prifon after,
and the Peoples Companion? They tho't the latter far
the more Eligible. And yet when they had fo chofen,
theic Straits were great. For the Country was fo Im- '
poveriiliM, that thofe who were willing to relieve
them, had generally no great Abiliry. And yet God
did mcrcifnlly provide feme Supplies for them; fo that
fcarce any of them perilh'd for want, or were Expos'd to
fordid Beggary: But fomefew were Tempted againft their
former Judgments to Conform. The Oath impos'd upon
them, was this. ' I A.B. do fwear, that it is not Law*-
' fal, upon any Pretence whatfoever, to take Arms againft

* the King: And that I do abhor the Traiterous Poficion
' of taking Arms by his Authority againft his Perfon, or

* againft thofe that are Commiflionated by hira, in pur-

* fuance of fuch Coramifiion : And that I will not at

* any time endeavour any Alteration of the Govern-
' ment, either in Church or State.' This Oath, fur-
nilh'd with matter of endlefs Debates. But the Non-
conformifts being in the Adt which impos'd it, charged
with Seditious Dodtrines and Heinous Crimes, many
were much concern d. And hereupon they endeavoured
to find out a Senfe in which the Oath might be taken
fafely, to prevent their Faffing under that Brand to Po-
fterity. Dr. Bate; confulted the

Lord Keeper Bridgeman who pro- tr» thU Tear i^6^, Orders
fefsM a great Refped for him, a- ^'^''^ /««^ fi''^ ^^'^ Anhblf/jop of
bout his taking it in a found Senfe. Canterbury to the feveral Bt/hops

He to fatisfie him, promis'd to be "£ ]" ^/'"["^'^ l"!"^ Z^^^'"'*^

^^^1 ..c/r j*u ^ Heads, of which thu was one =

at the next Seffions, and there on ,;,^^ .^ p,ould make a return of

the Bench to declare openly that ,,,^ ^^^J^ ,f ^„ ^.^^^^ ^^^, J,

by Endeavour in the Oath to change f^^^iji Minijiers, with their T lace

Church Government, was meant of Abode, and manner of Life. It

only Unlawful Endeavour, Upon bore date on July -jth^ this Tear,

which Declaration, he and fundry And our late HlUorian, Vol. 3.

other Nonconformifts, to the num- p- 259. tells «<, that the Returm

ber of Twenty, took it at the Selll- «/ *^e feveral Bijhops hereupon,
ons, to avoid the Imputaiion of ^^e fi'H prefery'd m the Umhsih
Seditious Dodlrine f. "^'^''*'-^'

After

314- The LI F E of Chap. XII.

J — - — ■

An. 1666. After the ceafing of the PJague, Mr. Baxter return'd
to AH on on Mnrch i,'l\ an J found the Church- Yard
like a Plowed Field with Graves, and many of his
Neighbours Dead, but his own Houfc uninfected, and
his Family that he left there fafe. The number of Mi-
nifters that were Imprifon'd, find, or othcrwife Afflict-
ed for Preaching Chrift's Gofpel, all this time was very
great.
lite Fire of September 3, 1666, began that dreadful Fire, where-
London. jfjy the bell and one of the faireft Cities in the World,
was turn'd into Afhes and Ruins in three Days Space.
The Seafon had been exceeding dry before, and the
Wind in the Eait, where the Fire began. The People
having none to conducft them aright, could do nothing
to refill it, but ftood and faw their Houfes burnt with-
out Remedy, the Engines being prefently out of order
and ufelefs. The Streets were crowded with People and
Carts, to carry away what Goods they could get, and
they that were moft A£live and befriended, got Carts,
and fav'd much: While the reft loft almoft all they had.
The lofs in Houfes and Goods could fcarce be valu'd.
Among the reft, the lofs of Books was a very
great detriment to the Intereft of Piety and Learning.
Moft of the Bookfellers in St. Pauls Church- Yard, car^
ried their Books into the Vaults under that Cathedral,
where it was tho't almoft impoflible for the Fire to
come. But the Church taking Fire, the weighty Stones
falling down broke into the Vaults, and let in the Fire,
and there was no coming near to fave the Books. The
Library alfo of Sion Colled^e was burnt, aud moft of
the Libraries of the MinLfters, both Conformifts and
Nonconformifts. Ac laft fome Sea-men taught them 10
blow up fome of the next Houfes with Gun- Powder,
which ilopc the Fire, and in fome places it ftopt as won-
derfully asii had proceeded, without any known Caufe.
It ftopt at Holhorn ii>'/V»r, and near Sr. Dunjians Church
in Fleet-Street^ and at Sepulchcr's Church when the
Church was burnt, and at Christ-Church when the
Church was burnt, and near Alde^fgate, and Cripplegate^
and other Places at the irnll^ and in Aufiti-Frynrs the
Dutch Church ftopt it and efcapd : It ftopt in Bifhops-
gntc-Strcet, and Leadenhall-Strcet, and Fcnchurch-Street^
\n the mid ft of the Streets, and ihort of the Tower :
And all Southwarl{ cfcap d. This was a fight that might
• have

Chap. XII. Mr. Richard Baxter. 315

have given any Man a lively Senfe of the Vanity of ^«. i666.

this World, and all the Wealth and Glory of it, and

of the future Conflagration of the World. To fee

the Flames mount up towards Heaven, and proceed fo

furioully without reftraint; To fee the Streets fill'd

with People aflonifli'd, that had fcarce Senfe left them

to" Lament their own Calamity. To fee the Fields

fill'd with heaps of Goods, and Sumptuous Buildings,

Curious Rooms, CoftJy Funiture and Houlhold-ftuff,

yea, Ware-houfes and FnrnilhM Shops and Libraries,

&c, all on a Flame, while none durft come near to

receive any Thing. To fee the King and Nobles ride

about the Streets, beholding all thefe Defolations,

while none could afford the leaft relief. To fee the

Air as far as could be beheld, fo fill'd with Smoak

that the Sun ihin'd thro' it with a colour like Blood,

&c. But the dolefulleft fight of all was afterwards,

ta fee what a ruinous confus'd Place the City was, by

Chimneys and Steeples, only {landing in the midft of

Cellars and heaps of Rubbifh ; fo that it was hard to

know where the Streets had been, and dangerous of a

long time to pafs thro' the Ruins, becaufe of Vaults

and Fire in them.

This unhappy Fire, made the Way of the Nonconform
mists yet the plainer to them. For the Churches being
Burnt, and the Parifh Minifters gone, for want of Pla-
ces and Maintenance, the Peoples Neceffity became un-
queftionable; for they had no Places now to Worfliip
God in, faving a few Churches that were left flanding,
which would not hold any confiderable Part of them.
Whereupon the Nonconformists opened Publick Meeting- rbe Puh-
Houfes, and were very full. And as Circumftances lick Meet-
then ftood, to have forbid the People to hear them, had inrrs of tire
been in Effet^ to forbid them all Publick Worlhip of Noncoa-
Godj and require them to live like Atheifts. formifts.

But that they might difcover their Charity to thofe
from whom they difFer'd, a confiderable Number of
the Ejed:ed Minifters in the City, met together foon
after the Fire, to confider whether they ought not to
join fometimes with the Parifh Churches in the Sacrament j
and whether their total forbearing it might not tempt
thofe of che Eftablifht Church to believe that they took
their Communion for Unlawful. It was generally a-
greed that fuch Communion was Lawful and Meet,
when it would not do more harm than good. Iq

?i6 The LIFE of Chap.XH.

-i«. I "^67. In the Year 1667, the Lord

* The King in a Speech to both ChaiKellor HiVc was Jmpeach'd and
Houfes of Parliament, on Teb. Difcardcd: And it fecm'd a remark-
10, this Year, thus exprefs'd ab'e Providence of God, that he
himfelf. One Thing more I hold who had been the Grand Jnftrumenc
Tnyfelfohllid to recommend un- of Stare in the foregoing Tranfacii-
tf>ym at thU prcfcnt, t=^lfchif, ^.^^^ and had dealt fo feverelv with
That your.ou/d fcrnufy th.nh of ^^^ Noncmformifis, ihould at length
fomc Courfe to be^^ct a (^^j^erL-^- bv his Own Friends be Caft out and
on and Ccmpofure^ tn the Minds r>' -,,,1 , ., . ,- , ^ ^ ^

ef ,«y Proteftant St^Wh in mai^ ^^'^^ ^^ ^^lie thole whorn hc had
ters 'of Religion, rcherehy they may Pcrfecutcd were the moft Moderate
le induc'd not only to fub'mit quiet' "^ his Can fe, and many for him.
h to the Gorernment^ but alfo The Dukeof B/.'c/;/wjr/j^w,fucC.eeded
chcar fully give their Afft fiance to h\xn as Chief Favourite. He was a
the Support of it. Man for Liberty ^. tender him,

the Nonconformifis in Loyidcti were

connived at, and People went openly to their Meetings

^ j^ without Fear. This encourag'd the Country Minifters,

1667, who did the like in moft parts o( England ^zni Crowdsof

There were the moft Religioufly enclin'd People were their Auditorst-

many In

Pamphlets

fublifJid about Toleration and Indulgence. As, Indulgence and Toleration
confiderd in a Letter t$ a Perfon of Honour. Qji. A Peace Offering in an
Apology and humbU Plea for Indulgence and Liberty of Confcicncc^ by fundry
Protellanrs differing in fome Things from the Prefent Ejiabli^jmcnt about the
horj7)ip of God. Mr. Corbet publijh^d a Difmurfe concerning the Religion of
England, and the Settlement of Reformed Chriflianity in in due Latitude :
Jn Ttpo Parts. To which an Anfrver was Publifhedj cal'Cd Dolus an Virtus.
A Propofition for the Safety and Happlnef of the Kitig and Kingdom. The In-
conrenip.ncici of Toleration : Or an Anftver to a lafe Book^ Intituled a PropO'
ftion made to the King and Parliament^ for the Safety and Happinefs of thr
King and Kingdom, (^u. AVefenceof the Proportion : Or fame Rcafons rendred
vhyths Noncnnformi/l Mini fter who coma tohii Paripj Church and Common Prayer.,
cannot yet yield to other Things that are injoynd, without fome Moderation, &c.
;{ Our Laie Hiforiany Part 3. p. 271, fays., it Qiouid be added to the
Foot of tliis Account, that it could be no great Credit to the DifTenting
Party, ro Invc had the Earl of Clarendon their Oppufcr, and the Duke of Buck-
vfham their Promoter. Tiie firft oppofing them upon no worfe Principle
than a Zeal to the Eftablifh'd Church, as the mad cflcvhial Bulwark againft
Popery, and the other appearing in their Intereft upon no better Account
than 1 ftrong Affef^ion to the Univerfai Liberty of Opinion and Praftice.
But I (J}ould think if fuch Conjtderatiom as thefe are l>e)'e bro't in, t])e Church
vill Jta^e no great Caufe to boafl, who was help'd to her ftron^^cfi Law< again/}
the Poor Non^iyi^ozmifis., by thofe who (it appear d plainly afterwards) were
carrying on a Popljh Inttreji : And yet wiren they fujj'trd unliv thofe Law^,

th'-y

Chap. XII. Mr. Richard Baxter. 5 1 7

In January 1668, Mr. Bdxter received a Letter from An. 166S,
Dr. Manton^ intimating that be was told by Sir John -^ Treaty
Barber, that the Lord Keeper Bridgman defir'd'to Con- "^^^^^ ^^^
fer with them Two, about a Comprebenfion and Tokratl- ^^^ Keener
on. Hereupon he came to London^ and chey Two waited S^"
on the Lord Keeper; who told them that he had fent ^^\ j ^
for. them, to think of a way of, their Reftanration : To r^^^
which end he had fome Propofals to offer to them, . *
which were for a Comprehenpon for the Presbyterians, and
a,n Indulgence for the Independents^ and the reft. They
ask'd him, whether it was his Pleafure, that they Ihould
offer him their Opinion of the Means, or oiily receive
what he offered to them. He Reply 'd, that he had
fomething to offer, but they might alfo make their own
Propofals. Mr. Baxter told him, he tho't they might
be able to offer him fuch Terms (without injuring any-
one) as might take in both Presbyterians zwi Indepen-
dents, and all found Chriftians into the Pubiick Efta-
blifh'd Miniftry. He AnfwerM, that that was a Thing
that he would not have, and fo it was Agreed to go firft
upon the Comprehevfion. A few Days after he fent his
Propofals. After this they met with Dr. H^i!l{inr, and
Mr. Burton, to Confer about the Matter.-

The Lord Keepers^ or Dr. WilldnV Propofals
were thefe :

In Order to a Comprehenfion, it is humbly Offer'd.

** I. C / HA T fuch Perfons as in the late Times of Diforder
** have been Ordained by Presbyters, fhall be ad-

mitted to the Exercife of the Mlniderinl FunFiion, by
the Impofition of the Hattds cf the Bifhop, vpith this or
the like Form of PVords : Take thou Authority to Preach

they were willing to accept belief from any Hani \ as knowing that what'
eyer Principle they might be of, that appear d for them, there wa* too much of
an implacable Spirit in fuch as were againft them, l^or can I fee they can
jufily be bUvn'd for rather cboofing Lenity and Mildnefs from a Man of m
Trinciple^ thanVining, Imprifonment^Banijhment^ and Ruin j from one of ftrid
High Church principles. ,

" the

?i8 The LIFE of Chap. XII.

An. i662. " the V/ord of God, and to Miniller the Sacraments in
" any Congregation of the Church of England^ where
" thou Ihalc be Lawfully appointed thereunto. An ex-
'* fcdient much of this Nature rvai PracHcd and Allow d of^
*' in the Cr.fe of the Catharifts and Meletians, Vid. Sfib
" Canon Cone. Nic : And Symdical Epiftle of the fame
** to the Churches of Egypt, Gelafius Cyzicenus, H/if.
" Co7j. iWc. Second Part.

'* 2. Thr.t all Perfons to be admitted to any Ecclefjitfiical
" FuncUon or Dignity, or the Employment of a Schoolmafter^
** (after the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy) {hall (in-
" flead of all former Subfcriptions) be requird to Suufcribe
" this^ or the like Form of H^ords. f A, B. Do hereby

Profefs and Declare, that I do approve the Doctrines,

Worlhip and Government Eftablifh'd in the Church

of Englandy as containing all Things neceffary to Sal-
** vation ; and that I will not endeavour by myfeH or
'* any other, diredtjy or indiredily, to bring in any
** Do£lrine contrary to that which is fo Eftabliflied;
*^ And 1 do hereby Promife, that 1 will continue in
" the Communion of the Church of England^ and
" will not do any Thing to difturb the Peace thereof.

'* 3. That the Gejlure of Kjieeling at the Sacrament^
*' and the ufe of the Crofl in Baptifm, and bowing at the

Name of Jefuf, may be left indifferent^ or may be taken

av^ay, as fhall be tho't tnost expedient,

4. That in Cafe it be thought fit to review and alter
" the Liturgy and Canons for the Sntisfaciionof Dijfcnters,
*' that then every Perfon to be admitted to Preachy fhaJl^
*' upon his Inflitution, or Admiffion to Preachy upon fome
" Lord's Day (within a Time to be limitted) publickjy
*' and folemnly read the faid Liturgy^ and openly declare
'* his Ajfent to the Lnwfulnefi of the ufe of it, and fhall
" Protniffy that it fhall be conflantly ufed at the Time and
'* Place accujlomcd.

In Order to Indulgence of fuch Proteflayits as cannot be
Comprehended under thePublick Eftabiifhmcnt, it is
humbly Offered,

" I . That fuch Proteftant.^; may have Liberty for the
" Ex?rcife of I^cligion in Publick,, a7id at their own Char^
*' gB^s to build or procure Places for their Publick, iVorjhipy
*^ either mthin oy near Tomis, asJhitH be tho't mofl expedient,

** 2. That

it.

Chap. XIL Mr. Richard Baxter. 519

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'^ 2. That the Knmes of all fuch Perfons who are to An. 166^-
^^ have this Liberty, be F{egi[iredy together with the Con-
** gregations to which they belong, and the Names of their
" Teachers.

" 3i That every one admitted to this Liberty, be dlf-
" ahled to bear any Publicly Office ^ but (hall Fine for Offices
!' of Burden.

" 4. And that upon (hewing a Certificate of their being

Li^ed among thofe who are indulgd, they fhall be freed

from fuch Legal Penalties^ as are to be infiicied on thofe

who do not frecjuent their Parifh Churches.

" 5 . And fuch Perfons fo indulged (hall not for their

meeting in Conventicles, he funifhti by Confif cation of

Efiates.

'* 6, Provided that they he obliged to pay all Publicly

Duties to the Parifh where they inhabit under Penalty.

" 7. Thn Indulgence to continue for Three Tears.

That the Liturgy may be aker'd by omitting, &c.
'* By ufjng the Reading Pralms in the New Tran/lationl
By appointing fome other Leffons out of the Canonical
Scripture instead of thofe taken out of the Apocrypha.
By not enjoining Godfathers and Godmothers when
either of the Parents are ready to anfwer for the Child.
By omitting that Clatife in the Prayer at Baptifm, By
Spiritual Regeneration. By changing that Queslion,
*^ Wilt thou be Baptized, /wfo wilt thou have this Child
" Baptized. By omitting thofe Words in the Thankjgi-
" ving after Publick^ and Private Baptifm, to Regene-
rate this Infant by thy Holy Spirit, and to receive
him for thy Child by Adoption: And the first P^-
brick, after Baptifm, it is certain by God's Word, Sc^
By changing thofe Words in the Exhortation after Bap-
tifm, Regenerate and Grafted into the Body, into re-
ceived into the Church of Cbrift. By not requiring
reiteration of any part of the Service about Baptifm :n
Publick,, when it is evident that the Child hath b:cYt
lawfully Bnpti:(d in Private. By omitting that Claufe
in the ColleFi after Impofition of Hands in Confirmation,
after the Exan^ple of thy Holy Apoftles, and to cer-
*' tify them by this Sign, of thy Favour, and gracious
Goodnefs towards them. And by changing that other
Pajfage in the Prayer before Confirtnation, who haft
5* vouchfafed to Reecnerare, ^.'. into who haft vouch-

"fafed

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320 The LIFE of Chap. XIL

-^». i66'u- " fafed to receive thefe thy Servants into thy Church
" by Baptifm. By omitting that Ci^u/i' in the Office of
*' M.itritnonyj With my Body I thee Worfhip : /,nd thnt
*' in the Colhti^ who haft Confecratedj &)c. By nllovsing
*^ MiniUcrs J'ome Liberty in the VifltAtion of the Sicky to
" life fuch other Prayers di they fo^Jl judge expedient. By
changing that CUufe in the Prayer nt Burial^ Forafmuch
as it hath pleafed Almighty God of his great Mercy
to take unto himfelf, ^c. into^ Forafmuch as it hath
pleafed Almighty God to take out of this World,
the Soul, ^c : And that CUufe ^ in a fure and certain
Hope, &c. into, in a full Affurance of the Refur-
red:ion by our Lord ]efus Chrift, C^c B; omitting
that CUufe ^ We give thee hearty Thanks for that
it hath pleafed thee to deliver this our Brother out
of the Miferies of this finful World : And thnt other ^
as our hope is this our Brother doth. By changing
that CUufe in the Communion Service, our finful Bo-
dies may be made clean by his Body, ^c into, our
finful Souls and Bodies may be cleanfed by his Pre-
cious Body and Blood. By not injoining the Binding
of the Comminat.ion, That the Liturgy may be abbrevi-
nted as to the length of it, efpecially as to Morning Ser-
vice, by emitting all the ^ejponfal Prayers, from, 0
Lord open thou our, ^c. to the Litany : And the Li-
tany, and all the Prayers from^ Son of God we befeech
'* thee, &c 'j to, We humbly befeech thee, O Father,
* &c. By not enjoyning the tife of the Lord's Prayer
above once, viz. immediately after the Abjolution, ex-
cept after the Minifters Prayer before Sermon. By ufing
the Gloria Patria only once, viz. after the reading
Pfalms. By omitting the Venite Exidtcnnus, unlef it
be tI^o*t fit to put any, or all of the firfl Seven among the
Sentences at the beginning. By omitting the Commu-
nion Service nt fuch times 06 are not Communion Days ;
excepting the Ten Commandments, which may be rend
after the Creed; And enjoyning the Prayer, Lord have
Mercy upon us, and incline our Hearts to keep thefe
Laws only once at the end. By omitting the Colle£ts,
Epiftles and Gofpels, except only on particular Holi-
days. By inferting the Prayers for the Parliament
into the Litany, immediately ^ter the Prayer for the
^oyal Family, in tlm or the like Form : That it may
" t)leafe thee to direct and profper all the Confultations

- '^ ^ - of

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Ghap. XlL Afr. Richard Baxter. ,521

" of the High Court of Parliamenr, to the advantage ^««. i ^5^-

" of thy Glory, the good of the Churcb,^ the Safety,

*• Honour and Wdfare of our Sovereign and his King-

*' doms. By omitting the Two Hymns in the Confccration

" of Bifhops, and the Ordination of l^rieSts, That tifter

*' the firft Qujftion in the Catechifm, What is youi:

" Name ? This may follow^ When was this Name. given

** you? And after that, what was proniisM for vou iri

" Baptiftn ? AnfvQer ; Three Things were promis'd foe

** me, ^c. In the Que !t ion before the Commandments

f * it may be alter d^ you faid it was promis'd for yoiij,"

*' ^c. To the Fourteenth QueHion, How many Sacraments'

" hath Chrift Ordained? The.^nfxvermay be. Two on-

*' ly, Baptifm and the Lord's Supper.

Mr. Baxter ind his Brethren mov'd for other Things
to be added ; And Dr. Wilkjni profefs'd himfejf willing
of more, but faid that more would not pafs. with the,
Parliament. The Things delir'd to be added, were
fucb as thefe. ■ . . i

That fuch as had been Ordain'd by Presbyters, ^nd
were in this Way Admitted into the Eftablifh'd Church ,
might have leave to give in their Profeffjons, that they
renounced not their former Ordinations, <3c. That the
Subfcription might be only to the Scriptures, and the
Dodlrinal Articles of the Church, ,^c. That the Pow-
er of Bilhops, Chancellors, and other Ecclcfiaftical Offi-' jj _'. \'>
cers to fufpend or filence might be. more limited';;^. ;"''*''J^.
That there might be an explicit owning the Baprifmal ^y'**^
Covenant infxfted on in the Cafe of all admitted to full y^^^^l'f^^^J''
Communion: That a Con^undtion of honeft Neigh- /^}^V^^- '
bours for private Religious Exercifes might np't be ta- wa^ coip-
ken for Conventicles : And that fuch as deride or fcorn tMd, -^
at Chriftianity or the Holy Scriptures, might be num- There vaa^s
bred with the fcandalousSinners mentioned in the C^z2o?ziW^K' /'«6-
and I{ubricl{, and not admitted to the Communion, C^c *. ^ip>^d a -

. ; Dipourfcof
Toleration, in Anfwer to the Difcourfe of the Religion of England. A,
Letter to 4 Member of tbit prefent Parliament^ for Liberty of Confcience,
TAe Toleration Intolerable .• And in Anfrver to />, Liberty of Confcience tlie
Klagiftrates Intereft. Findicite Cultils Eyangeiicf^ Or the Perfeftion of
Chrift's Inftitutions and Ordinances about his Worfliip, AlTertedand Vin-
dicated, from all Ecclefiaftical or Humane Inventions, &c. But after all.
the Difcourfe and Debates upon thU SubjeCi^ there was a ProcUmation this Tear ^
publijh'd, for inforcing the Laws againfi Conyenticles-^ and a Fate fafs'd in the
Uoiifi of Cmimm for remmng the aH again fl them for Three Tears.

Y After

5^22

The LIFE of Chap, XU.

An

sfith the rchole Matter, hoping to
have preraiTd for hii concurrence
in it, he be/iirr'd hi mf elf and all
hii Friends, and made fuch a Par-
ty that nothing could be clone
in it.

i66^. Afrer a long Debate a Bill was drawn up by Judge

Hale^ to be prefented to the Farliamcp.r. But they no

Toon(?r fate, than the High Church Party made fuch an

Intercft, as that upon putting it to

* Sijljcp Wilkins v;ho vfos a the Vote, it was carry *d that no

Candid, ln^^enuous,andoptn hearted ^^n fhould bring an A£l of thisNa-

Man, acljuainiing Bijhop Ward ture into the Houle *; and fo they

prevented all Talk or Motion of
fuch a Thing. And the Lord
Keeper who fet it on Foot, grew
as ihdiiferent about it as any one,
when he faw which way th^Stream
was ftrongeft.
In September, this Year Sir John Baber inform*d
£)r. Mnnton, that the King v/as inclinM 'to favour the
''Nonconformi^s, and that an Addrefs now would be
accepted : And that it muft be a thankful Acknow-
ledgement of the Clemency of his Maiefly's Govern-
ment, and the Liberty enjoy'd
under it, (^c. Such an Addrefs
was agreed on, and prefented by
Dr. Mnntorf, Dr. Bates, Dr. Jncomh,
and Mr. Ennt). The King met them
in my Lord Alinj^torh Lodgings,
receiv'd them gracioufiy, and pro-
mis'd to do his utmoil to get them
comprehended within the Publick
Eftablilhment. But after all, the
Talk of Liberty, did but Occafion
the Writing many bitter Pamphlets
againft Toleration. \ And among
other Things this Year Publifh'd,
there came out a Br ok call'd, A Friendly Debate be^
tveeen n Conformilt and Nonconformift ||. The Au-
thor of ir, having met with weak Patfages of fome
Difl'cnting Miniftcrs, fcrapes them together, for mat-
ter of Reproach: And having heard fonic crude

t Thu Tear Articles were
pent d'jvtn into the Country to
tin Clerzj, with Frlvate Or-
ders to pjme-i to male the Con-
yentic/crs as feiv and inonf-
7'he Ei'zhth
La/i Article wa^ thtii
worded; Uljether do you think,
they Plight be eafily fup'
prefs'd with the Afffiance of
the Ci\il Magiftrate ? Conf.
Plea for the Nonconf. Fart i.
fage 40.

durable rf> might Ae
and Lad Article

WSir
Matthew
Hale in
hii Jud'j^e

ment con-
cerning the Nature oj True Religion, &c. I\trf ^•, Haying a F articular
f.yr to thii Boitky thuf cxfrejj'ei. himfclf .' I do remember vhcn Bui. Johnlbn
madt hu Flay of the Alchvmift, wherein he brings in Anaitus in Vcri/ion of
»/;- Pcr/'/m then call'd Piuic:in.s, with many of their Fhrafcs in life among
thc'fi, taken .out oj the Scripturcfi with a Vcftgn to render that fort of
•ftrfoMs r'uiiculoiHi and to gain Applaufe to hii \[it and Jrancy^ tbo' tU

and

Chap. XI f. Mr, Richard Baxter. 525

and unmeet Expreflions droppM by Private Perfons, he ^» i6'jo.
brings them forth in a way of Dialogue, in which he P<'^M^ »'^-
makes the Nonconformist {peak as foohlhly as he could -^^"^''^ °"
defire, and only fjch lilly Things as he knew he could '^'^'"^ "°^ ,
eafily (hame. And thence he argues againft Nonccnfor-'^J^J^ ^°^
tnlty^ which is jaft as if a Man fhould go to prove the J^^^rr the
Religion of Chriftians or Protefiants foolifh, becaufe n-re.it' Ones
there are weak Perfons to be found amongft them. ^W G^/-
This Book was too much fuited to the Humours o^Unts , yst
thofe who not only hated the NoncvriformiUs, but were h'u Tlay
defpifers and deridefs of ferious Godlinefs; who were tvaidiflitdi
thereby confirm'd in their Contempt and Scorn of ^-t^d indeed
Religion in General. This Year, i^/:{. 1669, Sir ^7/- ',^^''^^^*"'^7
lir^m Turner was Lord Mayor of London, who never di- ^'^'^^/^ ^*"
ilurb*d ihe Nonconforming Mmifters; or troubled Men-^^^'",^ *^ T
for Religion : And their Liberty ^in London, did hearten ^^'^^' ^ Vfr
and encourage fo many Preachers thro' the Land, thacf/^°f ;^|^^^]
in all Probability many Souls were the better for it. ^^ ^w/j to

render ths
Puritans tidiculotcs. That rehifh teas ^nfeemly in a Poet, tpho made it his
hujinefs to make Plays, vein certainly more T-ulfume and Unfavoury, in one vffha
isfai obligd byhii Profejjim, Profpicere honori Religionis Chriftianpe, and
not to render it ridiculous and contemptibfeyby raillery, and fcurrilom Jefiing-

The next Year came out a far more virulent Book,
call'd Ecclefiaftical Policy, written by Sam. Parker, who
was aftewards a Doctor and a Bilhop. A Man of ex-
traordinary Parts, who was bred up among the more
zealous Party of the Enemies of Prelacy, and feeing
fome Weakneffes among them, and being one of an
eager Spirit, was turn'd with the Times into the con-
trary Extream. He wrote the moft fcornfuUy and
ralhly, the moft prophanely and cruelly againft the
Honconformifts, of any Man that ever Aflaulted them.
In a fiuent, fervent, and ingenious Style of natural
Rhecorick, he pour'd out Floods of odious Reproaches,
He was firft anfwer'd by Dr. Ov^en, and afterwards fo
handled by the ingenious Mr. Andrew Marvel^ that he
grew much Tamer.

Whilft Mr. Bixtcr liv'd at //^ow, as long as the A£i
sigainft Gonventicles was in Force, tho' he Preach'd in'
his Family, but few of the Town came to hear him :
Partly, becaufe they tho't it would endanger him, and
.partly f©r feat of Suffering themfelves. But when

Y 2 thS

-24 The LIth of Chap. XU.

■f i67>.the A(5l was expired, there came fo many, that he
wanted Room. For there came almoft all the Town
and Fanih, befides a great many from Brainford, and
the nc)ghbouring Farilheg. The Parlon of the Pariih
was Dr. /^/<>f, Dean of l-i^'nuifcr and if^clveihampton^
^ Parlon cf HafeHy and of y^ffow, and the Kings Chaplain

in Ordinary. His Curate was a weak, dull, >oung
Man, th^t fpent moft of his Time in Ale-Houfes, and
read a few dry Sentences to the People but cnce a Day:
And yet becaufe he Preach'd found Do(^rine, and
there was no better at Hand, Mr. Baxter con^antly
heard him when he Preach'd. They who heard him
before, ufually went with him to Church, there being
Icafce Three that refus'd : And when he Preach'd after
the Publick Exercife, they went out of the Church
into his Houfe. This the Parfon could not bear the
fight of: And he was the more Offended, becaufe he
came not to the Sacrament with him, tho* he had fome-
times done it elfewhere.
Mr. Bix- At length the Parfon thus got an Advantage againft
iviilnipn him. One Brnjginile an Apothecary at f^olvcrhnmpton
jonment where he was Dean, wrote him Word that Mr. B^ignolds
upon tht ^YiQ Si'enc'd Minifter of that Place had in Converfati-
J^" on told him, that the NoyiconformOis were not fo con-

tempLible cither for Number or Quality as they were
.reprclented ; that moft of the People were of their
Mind ; that Crcmvoel tho* an Ufurper had kept up Rng-
land againft the Dutch, Sec. And that he marvelled
at his rieac againft Private Meetings, when at A8on,
the Dean futfcr'd them at the next Door. With this
Inrellij^encc the Dean haftens to the King, as if he had
fcmL' Treafon to difcover. The King upon his aggra-
vating Matters, bid him go to the Bilhop of London^ as
fom him, and confujt with him, about the Suppreffi-
on of Mr. Bfixte)'s Meeting. Two Juftices were chofen
for their Pcirpofe ; F{pjl^ and Phillips : The former a
Sov, at Braiuford, and the latter a Steward of the Arch-
Billi p of Ctntcrhury, They fent a Warrant to the
Conltablc to apprehend him, and bring him to Brnin-
ford. When he was bro't before them, and all Pcrfons
but ihemfelves fhut out of the Room; they told him
he was Convitft of keeping Conventicles contrary to the
Law ; and fo they lendei'd him the Oxf.rd Oath. He
it)ld (hem, that he took not his Meeting to be contrary

to

Chap. XIL Mr. Richard Baxter. 525

to Law; and that the Oxford Oath did not concern him ; An. 1670.
nor could he apprehend they were impower'd by the
Adfc to pucic upon him: But they declaring themfeivv's
'fatisfy'd in what they did, and preffing the Oath, he
ftarted fome Difficulties about it, and deiir'd their
Explication, but in vain. At length they committed
him to New-Pnfon Goal at Clerkenwcll for Six Months,
without Bail or Mainprize. And thus he left AHcrij the
Inhabitants whereof were greatly exafperated again ft
their Parfon, for this Fa£l: of his: And really he could
hardly have done any Thing more to hinder the Succefs
ofhisfeldom Preaching there. For nothing certainly
can have a worfe Afped:, in any one that bears the Cha-
radfcer of an Ambaflador from the Prince of Peace, than
his feeking to Moleft and Difturbhis Neighbours, whofe
defire it is to live in Peace and Qjaietnefs, without noife
or ftir ^. ^ In

September
this Tear fiSyo) was the Trial of Air. William Penn, and Mr. VVini?.m
Mead, at the Old Baily. The Court treated them roughly. The Charge rvas
given to the furj/y after the Frifoners were out of Court.^ which was
contrary to Law and Cufiom. Eight of the Jury at frfi agreed to bring them
in Guilty.^ and Tour Diffented. At length they brought them In Guilty of
fpeaking in Gracious Street. Upon which the Court threatened them., and
they were confind all Nighty without Meat^ Drlttk, Fire.^ or any other Accom-
tnodaticn. The Court being fat the next Morning., they gar e the fame Ver-
diil. Hereupon they were threc^end to be Un'd^ Staric d, and Kuind. They
were kkpt another Nighty without any Accommodation as before : And at
length they unanimoujly brought them in Not Guilty. For thus Ferdi£l they
•were find Fourty lAarki a Man^ and ordred to be Imprifond till 'twas paid.

In this his Imprifoncnent, Mr. Baxter was manifeftly
hardly dealt with ; for the AA againft Cof.vmticles was
expired fome Time before. He was never Convic!Sl of
a Conventicle while that Law was in force. The Oxford
AB fuppos'd Perfons ConvicSt of a Conventicle-^ and did
not enable any to Convidt him without another Law :
And there was none but the Juftices Man, who at all
witnefs'd concerning his Preaching: But fuch Things were
common in thofe Times. As he was going to Prifon, he
caird on Serjeant Fountain, to confult with him ; who
perufing his Mittimm, advis*d him to feek htsin Habeas
Corpus, Many at Court mov'd for him : The Earl of
Orrery^ Earl of Manchester , Lord Arlington, and Duke
pf Buckingham f intimated to the King that his Impri-

Y 3 fonnient

326 The LI FE of Chap. Xll-

uin. 1670. fonment was nor for his Service. And Sir John Baber
came to him in Prifon, to let him know that the King
in Dircourfe bad figniTy'd to him, that be was not wii-^
ling ro be feen to relax the Law, but that he would not
be offended if he fought his Remedy at Law. Accord-
He obtains inglv he refolv'd upon doing fo. His Habeds Corpus was
«t Habeas demanded at the Common l^leas^ and Granted. The
Corpus. Judges declared the Mittimus InvzWd: Becaufe the Wit-
nclfes were not Nam'd ; which is a Matter of great
Moment. For if Perfons may be Imprifon'd by Jufti-
ces upon fuch an A(fl as the Oxfo,d AH^ and the Wit-
nefft s he unknown, any Innocent Perfon might be laid
in Prifon, and have no Remedy. Upon this he was
Difcharg'd. His Imprifonmeni was indeed no great
Suffering to him : For he had an Honeft Goaler, who
fiiew'd him all the kindnefs he could; He had a large
Room, and the Liberty of a fair Garden ; and the fight
of more Friends in a Day, than he had at home fome-
timcs in half a Year: And when released, he was very
much at a L ofs, for he was not acquitted as to the main
Caufe ; the Mittimus might be eafily amended, and he
Connn'd ag.iin. He knew not how to bring the main
Point to a Tryal, whether they had Power to impofe
upon hirh the Oxford Oath', and his Counfellors advis'd
, him to forbear, and not go to Queftion the Juftices for
falfe Imprifonmcnr, leaft he were Born down by Pow-
er. Ic was Reported he was ennch'd by his Imprifon-
menr, but without Ground. For all the Prefents that
he receivM, were thefe : ic Broad Pieces from Sir
Jchi Bcrvnrd: 10/. from the Countefs o^ Exeter :
and 5 /. from Alderman Bcnrd. More was offer*d him,
but he refus'd it, for this defray'd his Law and Prifon
Charges. The fanne Jufticcs as foon as they heard of
his Relcafe, made a New Mittimuf^ to fend him to
Xcopgate ; but he kept out of their Reach. For his neact
^ M.tny remove was to Tctteri^hc near B^rfict, where he was
«Vi>/«;ri forc'd to take up with a few mean Rooms for a Year*.

Were this

Ten puhlijhd for nnd a^ninfl <f Toleration. Amon^ the rp/?, Mr. (after*
vard^ Dr.) VVilli;im Afhton fix^aliz.'d himfelf by ahifcourfe., calld Tole-
ration diOprovd and Condemn d : Invhich he alled^'d againflit^ tJ>e jiu-
th'^rity of K'ng Jamcs and hi < Council^ the rotes of parliament ini662y The
rrefbyteriayi Mini ft tn in 15^5, ^«</ Twenty of the Jiffembly of Diyines: &C.

Ai

Chap. XII. Mr. Richard Baxter. 527

At this Time, he was projeding an Agreement with An. 1670-
the IndependehtSy for the ftrengthing of the Common ^^ -^^*
Intereft. Dr. Ovoen in his Catechifm had made two ^^^pt^ ^»
confiderable Conceflions, vIt^, That the People have not -^g^eem^nf
the Povoer of the Ksjis, and that they give not the Power ^'^ ^/^
of the Kjys, or their Office Power to the Pajlors, Thefe j^j^.g
Concellions he tho't very improveable, and therefore
he proposM to him, that they Two Ihould fee how far
they could go towards an Accomtnodation, before the
Matter was Communicated to others. The Method he
offer'd was this : That they fhould firftfix the Elfentials
of Religion and Communion, which are the Terms
that all Chriftians ought to agree in ; and then endeavour
to find out the Means of bringing both fides 10 Confent
to Communion upon thofe Terms. He tho't the moft
likely Method would be the drawing up a Writing,
containing all the Points of Difcipline, Great and SmaiJ,
which the Two Patties were really Agreed in, which
would make the few Things they differed in feem fo
Small, as not to be fufficient to hinder Communion.
He was for each of them to draw up a Draught, and
then confider the Matter together j but the Dodlor
highly approving the Motion, defir'd him to undertake
it. Whereupon he drew up a great many Thefes, as
the Matter of their Common Concord- He complain'd
they were too many, and might be Abridg'd. Where-
ppon he quickly carry'd him another Draught, of fo ma-
ny of thofe Things which both Presbyterians and Inde-^
pendents are Agreed in, as are necelTary to their Pra£li-
cal Concord and Communion, with RefpecSt to the
Things wherein they are, or feem difagreed. The
Doctors Objeflions were principally Four : That the
Particulars iniifted on were too many for the firft At-
tempt : That the Sccinians would Agree to make the
Creed as Expounded in the firft Four Councils the Teft
of Orthodoxy; that feme Expreffionsfuited to prevent
Future Divifions and Separations, would feem to refiedl
on former Ati^ings ; And that the infifting on the Pow-
er of the Magiftrate, efpecially as under Civil Coercion
and Punilhment, was not necefTary in the firft Attemptp
Mr. Baxter endeavour'd to Anfwer his Objedlions, and
defir'd his Amendments ; and fome Letters paft about
it, but in Time it was dropt, and carii»e to nothing,

X 4 In

528 The LIFE of Chap. XII.

uin. 1670. In the Year. 1670, the A61 againft Conventicles
Jikr7 hard- was rciicwM, and made more ievere than ever. Se-
pii]'i put veral New Claufes were piK in : As thr.c the Fault
^^''m^' , of the M'laimus Jhould fict dijnbh it-, that all doubtful
))'or Nbn-; c/^^/I-j in the aH, fliculd be interpreted cn would moif

.^ ." favour th:: Sufprcffion of Conventicles; avd that they
that fled or rcmovd their tjvpeliinjr into another County^

* The fl^ould be furjud ly Execution^ 8cc *. Dr. Manton, tho'
Compiler nfhQ had great Fiieiids, and mighty Piomifes of Fa-

the \d Vol.

of the Compleat Hifiory of En^Undy here tells «*,/»• iSl, That tho' tlie
Wifdom of the Naiion had very good Reafons 10 make a more Effectual
Law againft Conventicle?, yet 'tis certain the DiiTenters had no great
Reifon to compiain of the rigorous Execution of it. It was a needful
Reftraint and Awe (he fays) rather than an Aftual Storm upon them.
^ut he that vpill confult the Ingenuoat Mr. Pierce'i 2d Plea for the Hon-
conformifi<^' f. 22, ^ 44, will be at a lofs for the ftrength of thofe Reafotti
uphich this Author Jpeaki of and will fee good Reafon fo belieye that Mr. P.
is in the right, when he fays. That this Aft was never intended for the
Good or growth of the Church of England^ ox the Protefiant Caufc.
uind th) the Author forcmentiond, fays that there was no Storm upon the
'Vijfenrers by this All, yet if he had read the Accounts that were this Tear
f 1670) pubUpj'd to the World fom Bedfordfllire, Suflex, and many other
Parts, as I bare done ^ or would he yet exercife fa much Self denial as to
obferve font County to County-, in the Memoirs I have Printed of the Ejefled,
with what feycrity tins AB was Executed, (I'll refer him particularly for
4n In/Unce, but to what I hay c publifl) d concerning Afr. Collins at Tallaton in
Dtvon,) I can hardly conceive how he could pitch upon any EJfentialof ^ Storm
that was wanting. Hut not dilattng upon this, I fball here add a Letter that
was this fear fent by the Archbifjop of Canterbury, to the feveral Bijhops of
his Province^ dated at Lambeth, May 7t/;. 1 670, which that Author had feen
I fuppofe, which plainly portends a Storm approaching. It was in thcfe Words.

" Right "Reverend, and my very good Lord,
" T T hath picas d his Majcily and the Two Houfcs of Parliament, out

Jl " of thtir Pious Care for tlie Welfare of this Church and King-
" dom, by majfing and puljlilhing Oie laie Aft for the preventing and
" hipprelTing.Conv^niicleg, to lay an hopeful way for the Peace and Se:-
*' tlemtnc ot ilie Churcli, and ilie Uniformity of God s Service in the
'' fame. If becomes us "the Bifhops, (as more particularly Jenf: Lie oi tliC
<' good Prcvld'^nce of God) to endeavour as much as in us lies, the pro-
" moling di fo Blejfed a Worh ; aifd therefore having well confider'd what
" will be {-rr. itr mt?to do ifi my particular Diocefc, 1 tho't fit to recom-
" mend tiie'f;<n\e 'Counlel and Method ("which 1 intend God willing to
' purfue myfelfj to your Lord fliip, and the reft of my Brethren, the Bi-

ihops oF my Province, being thereunto encourag'd by his Ma'xcjiys Apr

probation, and exprefs VireClion in this Affair.

Chap. XII. Mr. Richard Baxter. 319

vour, was Cent Prifoner to the Gate-Houfe, for preach- An. \6-jo.

ing the GofpeJ in his own Houfe, in the Parifti where " In the

he bad formerly been Minifler ; and for not taking the " fir^Piace

Oxford Oath, and yet coming within Five Miles of a " ^^^^^'^f'^^^

"I advife

" and re-
"i]uireyou
<* that you call before you not only your Chancellors, Archdeacons, Com-
*' .miflfaries, Officials, Regifters, and other th£ Ecclefiaftical Officers, but
" that alfo by fuch Means, and at fuch Places as you (hall judge moft con-
■" venienr, you Alfemble before you, and fome grave and difcreet Perfon
^' or Perfons, your CommiflFioner or Conimiffioners, the feveral Parfons,
" Vicars, and Curates of your Diocefe and Jurifdittion, within their feve-
" ral Deanries; and that you impart to them refpeftively, as theylhall
" come before you or your Commiffioners, the Tenure of thefe my Let-
<' ters, requiring them, and every of them, as well in mine, as in your
•« own Name, That in their feveral Capacities and Stations, they ail per-
*' form their Duty towards God, the King and the Church, by an Exem-
" plary Conformity in their own Perlons and Praftice, to his Maje^'s
*« Laws, and the Rules of the Church on this Behalf.

" I advife that you admonilh and recommend to all and every of the
»' Parfons, Vicars, Curates, within your Diocefe and Jurifdiftion, Striftnefs
" and Sobriety of Life and Converfation, checking and punifhing fuch as
•* franfgrefs, and encouraging fuch as live orderly, that fo they by their
*' Vertuous and Religious Deportment, may fhew themfelves Patterns of
«• good Living to the People under their Charge. And next, That you
*' require of them, as they will anfwer the contrary, that in their own
*' Perfons in their Churches, they do decently and folemnly perform the
" Divine Service, by reading the Prayers of the Church, as they are ap-
" pointed and ordered in the Book of Common Prayer, without addi-
" tion too, or diminiQiing from the fame, or varying either in Subftance
" or Ceremony, from the Order or Method which by the faid Book is
" fet down ; wherein I hear and am

t' afraid too many do offend^: And that * Ttjit deferves the Confideration */
« in the Time of fuch their Officiating, *^<' GentUmtn who went into the
^' they ever make Ule of, and wear ^^^r' fP''^'"'^'"S ^.^'^^ - Judgment

<. t- • -r, n/ }■ t 1 of Dfcrction vpas and would be left

« their Iriefily Habit, the Surp/ice, and them, as to f articular Forrm and Cere.
" Hood 5 that fo by their Due and Re- monies,
" verend Performance of fo Holy a

" Worfhip, they may give Honour to God, and by their Example in-
« ftruft the People of their Pariflies, what they ought to teach them by
*« their Doftrine.

" Having thus counfelled the Ecclefiaftical Judges, and Officers, and
** the Clergy of the Diocefe in their own particular Duties, your Lord-
*' fliip is farther defir'd to recommend unto them, the Care of tlie People
" under their refpeftive Jurifdidiions and Charges, that in their feveral
f' Places they do their beft to perfwade and win all Nonconformifts and
^' DilTenters to Obedience to his Majefty's Laws, and Unity with the

Corpo-

330 ' The LIFE of Chap. XII.

^fn. i6ji. Corporation. And he concinued there Six Months'
•• Church ^ And alJ that Time the Meetings in London were df
'' and luch fturbed by Bands of Soldiers, to the Terror of many

•' be rcfia-

^ O^ory, to endeavoiu- to reduce by the Cenfures of the Church, or fuci
*' o.her good Meins as fhall bj molV conducing thereunto : To whici
•' End I advife, Tliac all and every of the faid Hcclcfiaftical Judges and
" Officers, and every of the Cieigy of your Diocelt, and the Church-
^ waidms of tveiy Parifli, by their relptftive Minilltrs, be defir'd
"' in their rtf^ieiflive Places and Stations, that they take Notice of al!
'^ Nonconform uts, i-iolders, Fiequtncers, Maintainers, Abetters of Con-
" venticies, and unlawful AlTembiies, uoder Pretence of Religious Wor-
*■'- fhip, efpcciilly of the Preachers and Teachers in them, and of the
*'^ Places wlierein the fame arc held ^ ever keeping a more watchful Eye
*' over the Cities and greater Towns, from whence the Mifchief is for
** the moft Part derived, unto the lelTer Villages and Hamlets i And
*' wherefoever they tind fucb wilful Offenders, that then with an hearty
*' Afeliion to the Worihip of God, the Honour of the King and his Laws,
^' and tlie Peace of the Church and Kingdom, they do addrefs themfelves
^ to the Civil Magifirate, Juftices, and others -concern 'd, imploring their
" Help and Ailiftance for preventing and fuppreffing of the fame, accord-
*' ing to the late faid A(Jr, in that Behalf made and fet forth. And be-
** ciuie tlieie may be within the Limits of your Diocefs, fomc peculiar
" and exempt Jurifdiition?, belonging cither to your Dean, Dean and
•• Chapter, Arch-Deacons, or to Ibme Ecdefiirtical or other Perfons ^
** I do theicforc dtiiie that by fuch Ways and Means as your Lordfliip
** do conceive moll proper, you do communicate this my Letter unto them,
<' delivering unto every of them Copies of the fame, tor their better In-
-' ftruition"; and that you require tnem in mv Name, that within their
*' feveral jarifdiftions, they ;iJro purfue the Advices and Directions before
** let down, as if tlie fame had been given, by a particular Letter unto
*' them 'Under my own Hand. Lalily ^ Tiiat for the better Dire6lion to
** all thofe who 11"ia)i be concern'd in the Advices given by this Letter,
•' I advife you wilJ give out amongO the tcclefiallical Officers and your
*' Clergy, as many Copies of the fame, as your LoidQiip ftiall think
*' conducible to the ^nd tor which it is dcfign'd.

*' And, now my Loid, what tlje Siicct-fs will be we rauft leave to God
*' Aimigh»y ^ Yet (my Lord) I have this Confidence under God, that if
t« wc do our Part? now az firft ferioufly, /;7 God's Help, and the jijfi/iance
^ of the Ci'/it P'/wer, conlidering the abundant Care and Provilion the

" A6^ contains for our Advantazet we

• -r- ^ LI .L .. J .f.'f. " ^^'ill within a few Months* fee fo

• Uc ^rcihjhop hire proved d fa! fr . • ,i Tx^n ix-

ProphH ; for the hvent wjs far fum " gi-^t an Alteration lu the Diftraai-
verifying hit Prtdidion, in th: d\»fe " ons of tiiL'fe Time.s,as«ihat the/e</MfP<^
;>jjt ht /ntinded. *' People returning from their Seditious

*' and Sclf-fcekin^Teachcrs^ to the Uuity

*n4

i

Chap. XII. Mr. Richard Baxter. 3 3 1

and the Death of fome. * About this Time my Lord An. i6-ji.

■L'nitderdale going into Scotlandy fignify'd to Mr. Baxter

a ^urpofe there was of taking off the Oath of Cano- " ^ ^^^^

nical Obedience, and all Impoficions of Conform icy '| j^,':^'!

there, fave only that it fliould be necelTary to fit in ^^ J"^ ."

Presbyteries and Synods with the Bifhops and Modera- ^ oTgocTs

tors : And told him he had the King's Confent to offer ct vvqj.-

him what Place in Scotlnnd he would choofe ; either a cc n^jp i^

Church, or a Colledge in one of the Univerfities, or a c< will be

Bifhoprick. From accepting which Motion he excufed <« to die

himfelf, from his Weaknefs and Indifpofition, and the " Glory

Circumftances of his Family. After that the Earl of" of God,

L^.ude dale was in Scotland, Sir Robert Murrey a great " ^^^^ ^^^^~

Confident of his, fent Mr. Baxter the Frame of a Body " ^^'^^ ^^
■ ' "^ " the

«' Church,

*' the Praife of his Majefty and Government, and the Happinefs of i\\^

'^ whole Kingdom. And fol bid your Lordfliip heartily Farewail, and am,-

My Lord,
Lambeth- Houfe, Tour lord/hip's moji AffeCtlonate Vrkni

May 7. 1670. and Brother.

* GILBERT CANT'.

A^opy of a Letter from the Arch-Deacon of Lincoln, to the feyeral Fariffja

vplthm his jfurijdiHion.

S I K,

<& r Have received a Command from my Lord Bifhop of Vnco/n, to dif-
1 " perfe Copies of tlie preceding Letter, to the feveraiParilhes wiihin
t' tliejurifdidtionof the Arch-Deaconry oi Lincoln. In Purfuance therefore
" of his LordChip's Order, I fend this to you ^ fiarneftly deiiring you,
*' to take efpecial Regard to perform whatfoever is therein requir'd of
^' you, either in your own Perfon, or relating to yourPariQiioners. And
" Iiow you (hall difcharge your Duty therein, 1 ihall expert an Account 2it
^' the next Vifitation. lam,

Tour yery Loying Vrlend and Brother^

J. CAWLEY, Archidiac. Lincoln.

* Mr. Andrew Marvel mmtiom a HoUtlch Engine^ who about this Time
'ypas emplofd by fome Oxonians, as a Mijjionary amottg the Nonconformifts
of the adjacent Counties ^ and upon Ve/ign, either gathered a Congregation of
his own, or Preach' d amongfi others, till haring got all their Names, hethrevr
bf the Fizard, and appeared in hii Colours^ an Honeft Informer. Mearfal
Tranfpros'dy pag. i/^.

of

532 ' The LIFE of Chap. Xil.

Am. 157/. of Church Difcipline for Scotlind, and deArd bis A-
nimadverfions. The Scheme was haiidfomeJy contriv'd,
and favour'd of nnch Moderation; but che Power ot
Synods war contriv'd [O be in the King. Mr. Br.xter
made bis Remarks as he was dcfir'd.

In the Year i^yr.f the Dio-
' ' t This Tear was fubli[J}d a cefe of SrAisburj was moft fiercely
fad Karratiycofthe Opprejjion of driven On CO Conformity , by
many Honcf People in Devon, Dr. Seth Hard their Bilhop. Ma-
and other Farts, by inftrmen ny Hundreds did he profecute
and Ju/iica, out of their pretend- vvith great Indultry ; and a-
ed Zeal to put the Aa a^ainjl ^long the reft, that learned, hum-
Conpenticles in Execution. ^j^^ holy Gentleman Mr. Thomus

Grovc^ an ancient Parliament Man,
of as great Sincerity and Integrity as moft in the
Land. He ftood it out a while in a Law Suit, but
was overthrown, and forc'd to forlake his Country,
with Multitudes of others. During the Mayoral-
ty of Sir Samuel Sterli'fi^, many Jury-men in Lcndon
were Fin'd and Imprifon'd by the Judge, for not
finding certain Q^ickers guihy of violating the Ad:
againft Conventicles, They appeal'd and fought Reme-
dy. Xhe Judges remained about a Year in Sufpence ;
and then by the Lord Chief juftice Vaiighan delivered
their Refolution againft the Judge, for the Subjedts
Freedom from fuch Sort of Fines ; he dilated upon ic
in a Speech of Two or Three Hours, which was re-
ceived with great Joy and Applaufe by the People ;
and the Judges thereupon were cried up as the Pillars of
* fig Law and Liberty*.

Compiler of

the Third Column of the Compleat Hillory of England, p. 1S6, feems not
^leafed that the Diflenters fhould complain of Perlecution ; and fays that
the Lares had impofed but moderate Penalties upon them 5 and that they defied
the Juftice of the Nation, ^c. And fo in EfeSl he ju/iifies all the Seyc-
Titles agamfi them. And if this yields him Comfort upon a cool Eefleilion^ I
am far from envying him his Satisfadion.

The Parliament having made the Laws againft
Konconformifti Preaching, and Private Religious Meet-
ings fo fcvcre as hath been rcpiefcnted, the King altho'
he confented to thofe Laws, became the Patron of
their Liberty. Not by any Legal Abarcmen[s, but by
his Connivance as to the? Execution 3 the Magiftrates

for

Chap. X II. Mr. Richard Baxter. 3 35

for the moft Part doing what they "^ The Earl of Briftol called to-

perceived to be his Will * The g'^^^'-^ ^ Meethg of the chief of

Minifters were encourag'd by ^^^^ fffi^. and tenired them an

Sir John Baber and others, to make ^,^^^;''/ ^f''y^ andtoidthem that

their Addreffes to the King, to pro- f ^''f\ ^^'^'^^ "'^ ^^"-^^ --^

^ ): , . T 1. J T , the Dijfenters K^as noK; £x d^ ar.d

fefs their Loyalty, and agknow- ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^.^^ ^^J^^^ '^^^

iedge his Clemency; and they did ^/^^, therefore It r<^ as their inter efl
fo. The King told them, that tho to maheUfe of all the Provocatlm
fuch Adts were made, he was a- theDifentersmip^htmcetwlth^and

gainft Perfecution, and hop'd e're to offer their ui'ljift^,nce toihemm

long to (tand on his own Legs, €rder to the engaging them to JBe-
and then they fhould fee how much thion for a generalToleratinn : But

he was againft it. By this Means ^hy '^^uld neyer be brought to k.
they gaind Peace and Quiet in ^'/^"Z' Burner^ Speech in the
their Meetings in the City: And f^fc of Lords, about the Ojz-

m all oir i?»c/j4^dF<?rrfs Mayoralty ^ , j c a a . u i-

, , ,, ^ r ^ r A L 1. • fays tny Lord StraiTord to/rf him

( tho he was fuppoTed one ot their ^^,^^ .^ ^^^^ ^^^^^.^ ^^ ^,^^^ j^^

greateft, and moft knowing Ad- ^^yj, ^,,,,,„^ ,-, ^^ ,,,, ^, ^i-
verfaries ) they remain d undi- ^/,g fj^^^p.
fturb'd. -^ ■

About January this Year, the King Ihut up the Ex'
chequer^ which caufed a general Murmur in the City.
For many Merchants had put their Money' into the
Hands of the Bankers, and they had Lent it to the King,
who gave Orders there (hould be no farther Payments,
and fo their Eftates were furprizM. Among others,
Mr. Baxter had a 1000 /. there, which was the greateft
Part of what he had of his own then left. Having
no Child, he devoted it to a charitable Ufe, intending
to ered: a Free-School, as foon as he could meet with
a fuitable Purchafe, with a good Title. He had been
Seven Years enquiring, and could not meet with a tole-
rable Bargain ; and let the Money lie there, till fome-
thing that was fuitable offer'd ; and lying there, it was
loft : Which made him admonifh all that afterwards
came near him, if they would' do any Good, to do ic
fpeedily, and with all their Might. Prefently after,
the Dutch War began, which made the Court think ic
neceflary to grant an Indulgence to the Dijfenterj, that
fo there might be Peace at Home, while there was
War abroad. And upon this Occafion they had Liber-
ty given them, tho* much to the Diflatisfaciiion of thofe,
who had had a Hand in framing all the fevere Laws a-
gainft them.

CHAP.

334

The LI FE of Chap.XIIh

CHAP. XIII.

An Account of their Cafe, from the Time of
the Indulgence in \6j2^ till the Death of
King Charles II.

An. i6j2. A FTER that the No«cow/or;»(/?j had for feveral
^'«5: r\ Years ftruggled with the greateft Difficulties,

Chailes*^ -^ -^ and convinced the World, that they were neither
Indulgence. ^^ [j^ influenc'd by Severity to renounce their Principles,
nor provok'd by the utmoft Hardfliips to any Sedition,
which was an Advantage their Enemies waited for^
and would have greatly rejoic'd in ; at length they
had a little Time ailow'd them to take Breath, by the
King's Indulgence . The Declaration bore Date Mcirch
15. 1674, And to all that gave Way to Reflection,
was a fuflficient Expofition of the Tranfadiions of the
Twelve Years paft fince his Reftauration. It was now
pubiickly own'd (^s well as was in it felf a great Truth)
That there was very little Fruit of all thofe forci-
ble Courfes, and many frequent Ways of Coercion
that had been ufed, for the reducing of all Erring
and DifTenting Perfons, ^c* His Majefty, * By Ver-
tue of his Supream Power in Matters EccleQaftical,
took^ upon him to fufpend all Penal Laws abouc them ;
declaring that he would grant a convenient Number of
Publick Meeting Places, to Men of all Sorts that did
not Conform : Provided they took out Licences, fet
open the Doors to all Comers, and preached not Se-
ditioufly, nor againft the Difcipline or Government
of the Church of England : Saving that the Papijls
were to have no other Publick Places, but their
Houfes, without Limit ition or Reftri(ftion, to any
Number of Places or Perfons, or any Neceffity ot
^ 'Ti'f * getting Approbation*/ This was applauded by fome

from hence

that Bifhop Stillingfleet dates the Presbyterian Separation, and freely refieSls
upon their Condull at this Time^ in hi> Preface to tin Unieafonablcnefs of
Sej>3rp.tion, p. 2g. Many Writings were fiibllfh'd u^on the Matter at that
ycry Time. One vftote Toleration not to be abus'd ^ or a ferinus ^eflion
foUrly dubated and refnhcd upon Presbytcrinn TrincipUs ; \iz. H^lnther it be

Chap. Kill. Mr. flichard Baxter. 555

among the Nonconformiflj, while others fear'd the Con--4«. i6j2,
fequences. For they well knew, that the Toleration ^-^^^'^fab/cy
was not chiefly for their Sakes, but for the P^.pifts -^efpeciaf/y
and that they fliould hold it no longer than their Inte-^^"'* ^'^^
left would allow it them : And withaj, they fear'd it^.**"^^^5-
would continue the Divifions, which were much hetttr^Y"\^'r
heard by a Comprehe}iJion, However they concluded |-^- '/* *"'
on a cautious and moderate Thankfgiving for the King's p^^^^^^^
Clemency and their own Liberty, and were introduc'd^o take Ad-
by my Lord Arlijigton. Mr. Baxter was not very iov-rantare
ward to take the Advantage of this Indulgence : He from his
was defirous of Liberty in another Way, and was fear- ^>^'y*,^y>-
ful what this Method would iflue in. But at length ^'«f<^ ^W<<-
there being no Room to hope for any better Terms, *''^^'^'»> ^»
when he faw the Minifters of London y generally fettled ^'^''■^ *''" *'';"
in their Meeting Houfes, he had a Licence alfo pro- ^'^'^^^ ^''-'*"
cur'd for him by Sir Thomns Player, with this P^culiari-^^^^'"''"
ty, that it was without the Title of Independent, Pref- -p J T^ ^
byteriiin, or of any other Party, but only as a Noncon- conTrel-a-
formift, ]'i,^^^ ^ '

A'\b'

dnA
to gather

ihemfehes into difiinSf and feparate Cimrches. On the other Side ttfas pulj/tj/yd a
TraSl with this Tit/e^ Indulgence not to be re/wi W, Comprehenfion immbiy de-
fir'd^The Churches Peace earnefily endeayour'd.And jhort Reflexions on Tolera-
tion not to be abus'd,€^c. /Z'ew/w^; t^'^t it is the Duty of Pres^yterians^to tnaks
ufe of the Liberty granted 5 And that it is no finful Separation, nor contrary ta
Presbyterian Frincip/es for th^fe who are call''d Presbyterians to preach to and
meet in Congregations difiinfl- from the Parochial AJfemblies, under prefent
Circumflances.

The Merchants at this Time fetting up a Weekly Mr. Bax-
Letiure on Tm^<J)' Morning 2Lt Pinners- Ha U, Mr, B^x- ^^^^'s La-
ter was one. But fo ill a Spirit was now got among ^^"'"^ '^^^^^^
fome of them, who bat juft before were in a Suffering ^'P "^f^^^
Condition, that by chat Time he had preach'd Four ^''^ ^**^^^'
Sermons there, the City was full of Rumours of his'^*'^^'^'
preaching up Arminianifm : And many were much of-
fended at bis preaching for Union, andagainftDivifion,
or unneceffary withdrawing from each other, and un-
warrantable narrowing of the Church of Chrift. This
gave but a melancholy Profpe6t ; but did not however
Difcourage him from what he apprehended to be his Du-
ty. On Jan, 24. 1 67 1, He began a Friday Lecture at
Mr. T«r«ey*s in Fetter-Lane^ with great Convenience, and
a confiderable Bleffing j but he never cook any Thing

for

336 The LIFE of Chap. Xlir

An. 1573. for his Pains. He refu«;M any fercled Place on the

^ Lords Days, and preached only occalionally.

^%'i^ In F-h'-uaiT) rhe Parliament mer, and voted down the

o jerva !e, Kj,-,gs D:claradon as illegal % and the Kin;? promifed

-^ it Ihoiild not be bro't into Prelident, The Keafon which

more zea- ^^^ Houfe of Comn:T)n3 gave for their Proceeding, was

/oi4i in op- ^^^y remarkable. They faid, * That his Majefty's pre-

fofin'T this ' tended Power of fufpending the Penal Laws in Mat-

VecUrntion* cerS Ecclcfiftical, might tend to the Interruption of

in the * the free Courfc of the Laws, and the altering of the

Houfe^than * LegiQative Power,^ which hath been always acknow-

jilderman ' ledg'd to tefide in bis Majefty, and his two Houfes

Love, aCi- ' of Parliament/ And it (hould not be forgotten, that

ty Member Cnkmnn in his ftrft Letter to Father Le Chaife fpeaking

£\{rtn'^'^ of the King's Promife, that it fhould not be a Precedent,

/ J"7' V ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ F4m/ ^enunciation of it. At length the Com-

behadmrch^^^'^ COnfulted of a Bill for the Eafe O^ Protefinnt dif-
rather ftUl 1^''^^^^^^ and many Members profefs'd their Refolution
70 without ^° carry it on. f Bat when they had granted the Tait
their deftred defir'd, they turn'd it otf, and left it undone : Taking
Liberty^ away from the Poor Dijfenters the Shelter of the King's
than have Declaration, and fo leaving thetn to the Storm of the
it in a Way fevere Laws that were in Force againft theni, which by

that vpould

froye fo detrimental to the Nation B'fhop Burnet in a Speech in the Houfe of
Lords about the Occ^lional Bill in 170:5, tooh particular Notice of this, and
tells us^ 7 hat tlie Lord Clifford got fome to move in Favour of the DilTfn-
ters, hopirfo that would have provok'd either the one Side or the other ;
and that either the Church Party might be offended with the Motion, or
the DifTenters with the refufing it : But it was ftopp'd by Alderman iovc,
who defir'd, that nothing with Relation to them might intervene, to ftop
the Security that tlie Nation and the Proteftant Religion might have by the
Teft AO, and in this he was fcconded by moft of his Party ; So that the
A<rt was obtainM in fome Meafure by their Affiftance ^ and therefore ( as
he voell argues^ ) it would be hard to turn it againft them ^ for the King
was tJien highly ofTendtd with them for giving up his Declaration.

f 0/t February tije i^thy the t^owwo/is rc/b/v't/NemineContradicente, that
a Bill be bro't in for the Eafe of his Maje/ly's Subjects mho are Diflenters,
in Matters of Religion fromyhe Church of England. And a Bill pafs''d the
Houfe accordingly^ but vfOA ftopfd in the Houfe of Lords. But the Motion
0/ ti)e Lover Houfe in this Affair teas therefore the more remarkable^ be
caufe it was the fame Houfe of Commons^ who Ten Tears before fo warmly
Voted the contrary. A good Argument., they were now convinced of a greater
Danger of Pjpery, than they could before be perfwaded to belieye. Our
late Complete Hiftorian^ Vol, g. ^. 394 ; /««ji, T/;<jt whatever this Refle£Vion
i*^, the Truth was only thus : The Commons in this Parliament were by

fbrtie*

Chap. Xllt Mr. Richard. Baxter. 537

fome Country Juftices were rigoroufly put in Execution.^ -4«. i 6y^,

tho* the moll forbore. " , „

long hxpe-

ricnce

more and more fenfib'le, that the Papifrs were for their own Pleafure and

Advantage, playing and ftriking theCinirch-menand DifT^ntt^i-s one again ft

another. VerywelL : And therefore they were for giyhi^r the Bijfeniers a Le-

^al Toleration^ in Order to the prey enting any Thing of this Kind for the Fw

tuYe : They t»ere now conyinc''d, That fuch a Toleration was. IHttdfuIy tho'

Ten Tears before they would nit yield to it_ upon any Ter.ms^ which was all

that was meant by the Refieflion pointed at. -But 1 think it. is not im"

proper to add^ That BtJl}op Bdrnettn the Speech above mentioned, freely af~

crlbes the Mildnefs of the Houfe of Commons toiccdrds the Dijfcnters at this Ttme^

to their Pleafednefs with their' Carriage in giying up, the Kings Declaration.

This fays he, wrought fo much on the Houfe that was fo zealousffor the

Church, that they ordered a Bill to be brought in for the Eafe of Prote-

ftant Diflenters, in which little Progiefs was indeed made.^ and yet to the

End of that Parliament, Conventicles were held very Pablickly, and they

never pafs'd a Vote or made an Addrcfs againllthem.

The Parliament at length grew into great Jealoufies The Lon^
of the Prevalence of Pop2>y, An Army (prttended to -Parliament
be defign'd for Service againft the Dutch) lay encamp'd '^^^^en'd.
at Blijcl^-Heath, Many of the Commanders were l^a-
..pifts., ,It was the general Apprehension, rhac having
no Hope to get the Parliament to fet up their Religion
by Law, it was cheir Intention to put down Parlia-
ments, and reduce the Governmeiit to i\\e Bench Mode],
and Religion to their Stare, by a ftandmg Army. All
that Lov'd their Country had difmal Expecflations. The
Parliament paffed an, A(ft for preventing Dangers
which might happen from Pcpif):' RecufantSj by which ic
was enacted, That no Man ftibuld bear any Offi:e or
Place of Truft, who did not take the Oaths of Supre-
macy and Allegiance ; and that all that fliouid be ad-
mitted into any Office Civil or Military after the firft
Day of Eafter-Term in 1673, fhould receive the Sacra-
ment according to the Ufage of the Church of Eyiglnnd^
within three Months after their Admittance^ in ibme
Publick Church, upon fome Lords-Day. Upon the
palling of this Teft A£^, the Duke of TI^^/; who was Ge-
neral of the Army, and the Lord Treafurer C/z/for^, laid
down all their Places. The Parliament met again, OEio-
her the 20th, and Voted againft the Duke's Marriage
with an tcalian Pafift, a Kin to the Pope, They re-

Z new'd

338 The LIFE of Chap, XIII.

An. 1673. new'd this Vote in their next Seflions, and upon a Mef-
* Tbii Tear ^age fent to the King about it, received this Anfwer ;

(1^7?)

Difcoune
of true Re-

ligion.

Ht-

reiy,Schirm
Tolcrau-
on, and
what beft

between
Confor-
mifts, and
Noncon-
formif^s.

that it was too Jate to ftop it. On Friday, uct, 31,

They pafs'd a Vote, that no irorc Money Ihould be gi-
ven, till they were Tecur'd againft the Danger of Popery,
and Po/^//^^ Counleilors, and their Grievances were re-
el refs'd. And indeed the Warmth and Bojdnefs of both
Honfes againft the Pafijis grew very high.

* In thisSeflion, tbeEarlof Orm 7 defir'd Mr. Brfjff^r
to draw up Terms of Union between the Conforrfjifls,
and the Noncojiformifts, in Order to their joint vigorous
Means may ^PP'^fi'^g Popery : And he told him that Sir Tbomai Osborn
be us'd a- ^^^ New Lord Treafurer. Bi(hop Morley of J4^inchefter,
gainft the and feveral other great Men were mightily for it : Up-
Growth of on which he fent him Piopoials for that Purpofe, the
Popery. Chief of which were ihefe :
Fropofals " ^^^^ "^ Covenant, Promife, or Oath, (hould be
raUnion " required to Ordination, Inltitution, or Indudlion,
** but the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy ; the
*' fubfcribing to the Dovftrine and Sacraments of the
** Church ot England^ as exprefs'd in the 39 Articles,
" and a general Declaration againft Rebellion and
Sedition. That till the Nonconformifls could be bet-
ter provided for by Vacancies, they fliould have Li-
berty to be School-maftersj or Alllftams to Incum-
bents, or to preach Ledlures in their Churches, ei-
ther fuch Leisures as were already endow'd with
Maintenance, or fuch as the People (hould be willing
to maintain : and that in the mean Time their Meet-
ing Places that were convenient (hould be continued
in L^fc as Chappcls. That Liberty be allow'd for
Neighbours joining together in Praying to God, and
Praiiing him, and repeating Sermons, in their pri-
vate Honfcs without MoJ:^ftation. Thar for the Li-
turgy, <ic, none be oblig'd to read the Apocryphal
LefTons : That it be eno*, if an Incumbent once in
a Quarter or Half Year, read the greateft Part of
the Service for that Time; and that it be at other
Tmics done by his Curate or Afliftant. That Lectu-
rers be not oblig'd to read the Service 5 or at moft that
itbecnc/, if once in Half a Year, they read the great-
eft Partof what is appointed for that Time. ThatPa-
rents have Liberty to dedicate their own Children to
(iod in baptifm. without being oblig'd to find God-
fathers

<(

Chap. Xflf. Mr. Richird Baxter. 359

*' fathers and Godmothers. That the Ufe of the Sign An. 1673.
*' of the Crofs be left to the Minifters Inclination and
'* Difcretion. That Minifters be not forc*d to Baptize
" a Child whofe Parents are denied the Communion of ^
" the Church, unlefsfome ferious Chriftian undertake
*' for ics Education, according to the Chriftian Covenant,
" That none be forc'd to receive the Sacrament, while
** untit, or averfe. That Minifters be not forc'd to de-
** liver the Sacrament to any unbaptizM Perfons ; or to
*' fucfa- as wont own their Baptifmal Covenant, and
" publickiy profefs their Adherence to it ; or to fuch
" as are guilty of fcandalous Immoralities, till they
" have profefs'd Repentance. That Minifters ben'c
'* forc'd to publifti an Excommunication or Abfolution
** againft their Confciences, upon the Decree of a Lay-
'' Ghancellor,G5'<r. or harrals'd by attending their Courts,
** to bring WitnefTes againft thofe, to whom they have
*' refus'd the Sacrament upon the aforefaid Reafons.
" That it be left to the Difcretion of Minifters, whom
" they-will abfolve in Sicknefs, and to whom they will
" give the Sacrament, and over whom they at their
interment will afe chofe few Words, which import
the Juftification, and Salvation of the Deceas d : And
'* that the Sick and Dying have the Liberty of choofing
" what Minifters they will, to attend ^nd aftift them
" without Reftraint. That no Minifters be forc'd to
" deny the Sacrament, to fuch as think it unlawful to
'* take it Kneeling. That the tJfc of the Surplice be
'* left indifferent. And that People who live under an
" Ignorant or Scandalous Minifter, have Liberty 16
'' join with thofe with whom they can better profit^
m any Neighbouring Church of the fame Diocefe,
'* paying the Incumbent his Dues. That no Ordain-
" ed Minifters be put upon renouncing their Ordina-
'* tion, but upon Proof of their fitnefs for the Mini-
" ftry, receive by Word, or a written Inftrument, ^
LegalfAuthority to exercife their Miniftry in any Con-
gregation in his Majefty's Dominions, where they
Ihall be lawfully call'd. That no Excommunicate
Perfon as fuch, be imprifon'd or ruin'd. And that
" after all, Chriftian Lenity be us*d toallcorifcientious
*' DiJJsnters ; and that the Tolerable be tolerated, un-
" der Laws of Peace and Safety. Upon the whole he
*' added, that if the Sacraments were but left free to

Z % ht

540 The LIFE of Chap. XIH.

^n. 1^7^" be adminiftred and received by none but Volunteers j
" And Liberty granted ro Miniftcrs to preach in thcfe
*' Churches, where the Common Prayer was read by o-
*' thcrs; And the Sublcriptions conrain'd nothing that
"" a Confcientiovis Man might need to Scruple j he
** tho't it might take in all, even the Independents, as
*' Weil as Prejbyterianj." Mr. Baxter gave the Earl of
X Orreiy thefe PropofaJs, and he after fonce Time returned
them with Bifliop Mor/efs Striciiurcs or Animadver-
fions, which fully difcover'd, that all his Profeiiions for
Abatement and Concord, were deceitful, and that he
intended no iuch Thing, for he would not make the
leaft Abatement^ in any Thing of Moment.
Other Mo' ^ ^^^^^^ after, feme great Men of the Houfe of Com-
tions that niotis, dtcw Up a Bill for Accommodation, to take off
V,ay. Oaths, Subfcriptions, and Declarations, except the

Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and Subfcriptions
to the Dodtrine of the Church of England, according
to the i3ih of Eli:{: but fiiewirg it to the Bilhop of
li'irichcfisr, he caus'd them to forbear, and broke the
Defign. And in the mean Time, that it might not
feem to be for nothing that he oft pretended to be of
fo peaceable a Difpofition, he furthered an A(St only to
take off yJjfent and Conjent^ and the l^enuncintion of the
Covenant. But when other Biftiops were againft even
this fhew of Abatement, he told them openly in the
. Houfe ; Th/it had it been but to abate them a Ceremony,
he x^ouid not hdve Jpoken in it : But he k/iexv that they
were bound to the fame Things ftill^ by other Claufes, or
Ohii^ations, if thefe voere repeai'd. On Feb. 24, Tho'ts
of this Nature were ended by the unexpe(fied Pro-
roguing of the Parliament to November, whereby both
Houfes were much troubled, and Multitudes greatly
exafpcrated, and alienated both from the Court, and
the leading Bifhops, as the great Caufes of all the Di-
flra£liorjs. All this While thofe of the Clergy that
were Men of the Times, and gap'd for Preferment,
gave tbeniftlves a Liberty to write and preach at Ran-
dom y to fiir up King and Parliament, and all
they came near, to Violence and Cruelty, againft the
Liberty and Blood of the Nonconformifts, who liv'd
quietly by them in I about and Poverty, and med-
^\td not with them, bcfides their neccffary DifTcnt from
them. Jult before the Dilfolution of the Parliament,

one

Chap. XIIL Mr. Richard Baxter. 341 •

one of this ftamp Preaching to them, fet himfelf to -4». 1 674
perfwade them that the Dijfenters were obftinate, and ^ Norpwa^s
not to be tolerated, nor cur'd by any Means but Ven- pub!i(l)d^
geance J urging them to fet Fire to the Faggot,and teach Cercain
them by Scourges or Scorpions, and open their Eyes Coniid^ra-
withGall^ tionstend-

mg to pro-
mote Peace and Good Will amongft Proteflants. And alfo the Noncon-
formifls Plea for Uniformity : Being the Judgment of 84 Mhufiers of the
County Taliptine o/Lancafter : Of a rphole Frovincial Affemhly of Minifiers ami
Eiders in and aboutLondon: And of fever al other eminent Treacher}^ Eng'iOi,
Scottifli, rf;j^New-Eng'ini, concerning Toleration, 4«(]JUmformicv in Ma ters
of Religion 5 tor ether with a Refo/ution of this^tefiion^ Whether the Penalty of
the Law ought to be infiilled on thofevffho petend and plead Confclenccin Op^oft-
tiontovphatthe tatP commands f with feyeral others on the other Side.

The Toleration however continuing, Mr. Baxter held
on his Preaching, till Illnefs difabled him for any other
Exercife, fave one Sermon a Week at St. James's Mar-
ket-Houfe, where fome Perfons had hir'd an inconve-
nient Place. And here it pleas'd God to give his La-
bours, abundant Succefs. But as he was preaching
thei:e, July the 5th, 1674, they had a marvelous Deli-
verance ; for a main Beam, before weakned by the
Weight of the People, fo crack'd, that Three Times
rhey ran in Terror out of the Room, thinking it was
falling : But remembring the like at Dunftans in the
H^ifi^ he reprov'd their fear as caufelefs : The next Day
taking up the Boards, they found that two Rends in the
Beam were fo great, that it was a wonder of Provi-
dence that the Floor had not fallen, and the Roof with
it, to the Deftrudion of Multitudes. This Crack
fighting away many of the Richer Sort, efpecially
Women, the greateft Part of the Auditory were young
Men, of the moft capable Age, who heard with gr ac
Attention, and many of them manifefted fo great a
Change, as made all his Charge and Trouble eafie to
him. Nay a common Reformation was evident in the
Neighbourhood, even among the Ruder Sort, and that
in their Converfation as well as in their Judgment. But
he was foon molelled. jr^^ j^-^

For his Majefty call'd the Bifliops up to London^ to ^^^^^ ^.
give him Advice what was to be done for the (ecm'ingtainfi the
of Religion, ^c ; And they after divers Confultacions poor Non-
\vith the Minifters of State, advis'd him to recall his confor-

Z 5 Licences, mills.

^4^ The L 1 F n of Chap. XIIL

uln. 1674. Licences, and pui the Laws againft \\\c Koncovformifls
in Execution. And this was done by a Deciaracion, and
Proclamation, declaring the Licences long fince void,
and requiring the Execunon of the Laws againft P/i;?//?/,
and Convent icU's. No founer was the Proclamation pub-
lifli'd, but fpccial Informeis were fet on Work to pro-
* Of^thi mote the Execution *. A little before the Licences were
inf^amnis recali'd, Mr. Bnxtc openly declared in the Pulpit, that
lives and it was not in Opprlicionto the Publick Churches that he
Ictmcnt^ble kept Up a Meeting ; bur to help the People m their Ne-
Df.7r/;.«, .of cefiity, who were many more than the Pariih Church
7nuny nt coiild iiold. Hereupon it was confidently reported that
thejelnfor' ^^q ^j^j. Conforming. And not long before, preaching
wen. Sec fcr Love and Peace at P'Vi'vf'i-H/j//, 'iwas reported, that
mi'fts i' ^^ declarVi for Juititication by our own Rigbteouf-
Viti. tor "^^^> ^"^ ^^^^"^ *^^^ Papijls and frotejianrs differ but in
Che Non- ^^"ords: Upon wliicli he was forced to vindicate himfelf
confor- ill a Sheet, calTd an j^fpcal to the Light^ which ftopp'd
inifls, \>a'^e. not tht Accufation : For fome had the Wifdom and Con-
71, 6:c. fidt nee to fay, that that Appeal to the Light did more to
ftrengthcn Fnpen^ than ever was done by any Papijis.
Mr. Baxter was the firlt that was apprehended as a Co«-
'vcnticler after this Alteration of Affairs. He was taken,
preaching \\\^ Thurfday Leisure at Mr. Twners. He went
with the Conftable, and W^-^^ the Informer, to Sit PVil-
finm Pnitne/s, who demanding the Warrant found it
.fign'd, by Hrmy Montague, Efq; BaylifFof H^cflminfler,
Sir If'^iiiiam told them, that none but a City Juftice,
could give a Warrant for apprehending a Man for
preaching in the City : And fo the Informer was defeat-
ed, and hiS Heart afterwards fmoie him ; and he came
to Mr. B ^xtcr and begg'd Pardon, and profef^'d Repen-
tance. He freely forgave him, and admonifh'd him fe-
rioully to amend his Life. Endeavours were ufed tp
furpr:ze Dr. Mr,:tnn : But one Mr. Bedford preaching in
his Room was apprehended. He had taken the Oxford
Oath before, and in that rerpe(ft was not obnoxious :
But was fin'd 10 /. and the Place 40 /. which was paid
by the Lord iVha tou^ the CountelTesof Bedford^ Man^
Ji frt(I)M- ^^^^f"^'''f a^^d CUre^ and other Hearers.
: T^j/'f for Another Sclflon of Parliament approaching, Biihop
an yiccom- ^^">';, and Biftiop fVard^ were in Appearance, very
»?'^//«;'fln (i/fju'nfible of the Danger of Popery^ and therefore very
ti'j' o ifi- forward for Abatements, and taking in the Nonconfor'*

Chap. XIII. Mr. Richard Baxter. 545

tnifls, and mov'd ic to many. At length Dt, Tiliotfon,An. 167^.
and Dr. StilUngflcet^ defir a a Meeting with Dr. Men-
ton^ Dr. Bates, Mr. I'oo/y and Mr. Baxter, in Order to
conh'der of an Accommodation, and Taid they had the
Encouragement of feveral Lords both Spiritual and
Temporal. Mr. Baxter at firft met the two Dodors
alone : And they confider'd and canvafs'd various
Draughts ; and at length fix'd on one in which they
agreed. This being communicated to the Nonconfor-
mifts, was fatisfadtory : But when they communicated
it to the Bi(hop.% there was an End of the Treaty; a
great many Things could not be obtain'd *; The Terms ^ Mr.
agreed on, were much of the fame Nature with ihofeB^^^'ter
above mentioned as proposM to my Lord^Orrcr;, with^'^''^ /^
very little Variation, ^^- TUlot-

fon, to
know wht'
ther he might have leaye to ffenJ: of it, in Order to the promotiftg Concord^
and to flgnify how far they were agreed,^ that their Thames might be fome
Advantage to the Work^ and he thereupon return d him the following Letter
dated April If. l6jy

I

5 /^,

Took the firft Opportunity after you were wi^h us to fpeak to the

Biihop of Sal — ■ , wlio promifed to keep the Matter private,

and only to acquaint the BiQiop of Ch — with it in Order to a Meet-
ing : But upon fome General Difcourfc, I plainly perceived feveral Things
could not be obtained. However, he promifed to appoint a Time of
Meeting, but I have not heard from him iince. I am unwilling my
Name (hould be ufed in this Matter ; not bur that I do moft heartily de-
fire an Accommodation, and fhail always endeavour it : But I am fure
it will be a Prejudice to me, and Signify nothing to the effeding of
the Thing, which as Circumflances are, cannot pafs in either Houfe,
without the Concurrence of a confiderable Part of the Bifhops, and the
Countenance of his Majefty, whicli at prefent I fee little Reafon to
txpeft.

Tom AfeClionate Brother

and Serv4fttf

J. TILLOTSON.

?4 The

344 7/je LIFn of Chap.XIll.

An. T6y$. The Informers in the City went on, but met with nria-
rty Difcourageinents. The Aldermen were not fond
, of them, but often fhifced out of the Way, when they

kneiv tliey would cpme to them ; and fome denied them
their Warrants; tho* by the A6t they thereby forfeited
an loo /. Alderman Frr'h got an Informer bound to the
Behaviour, for breaking in upon him in his Chamber a-
gainft hi^ Will. Strowd and Mn-jha, becarrie General
Informers : But were foon fallen upon by their Credi-
tors, and generally hated. Some of them fwore a-
gainft ]Mr. Bnxtyr before Sir Tijomns D/:vn ; and he
went to him and vindicated himfelf, proving that he
was not charreable with breaking the Law, but could
not be regarded. One that fwore againft him, went
a J i tele after to Rs^riff, and hearing Three Minifters
Pray and Preach, his Heart was melted, he profefs'd
his Soirow and Repentance, and left his wonted
Companions. And another of them came to Mr. Bax-
ter in the Street, and promised he would meddle no
more.

When tlie Parliament met, there was great Heat
in the Houfe of Lords, upon the bringing in an A£f,
to impofe fuch an Oath on Lords, Commons and Ma-
giftrares, as was impofed by the Oxford Aci upon Mi-
iiifters. The Sum of it was, * That none Commilfion'd

* by the King, may be by Arms rcfifled, and that they

* would never endeavour any Alteration of the Go-

* vernment of Church or State.* The great Speakers
for it, were the Lord Treafurer ajid ihe Lord Keeper,
with Bifliop Morley and Bilhop I4'ard. The great
Speakers againft it, were the Earl of Shaftsbury^ the

Lord HoUis^ the Lord HaUifax^
t A Urge Account oftheDe- the Duke of Buckn'ghanf, and the
kates on this Head in the Houfe Earl of Snlubury : Who jointly With
of reer<, may be feen, in a Let- the Marquis ot Pf^ in :1c tier, and the
ter from a Terfn of Qj^tality to Earls of B'/'/^o/, Bcrli^fhire and Aks-
his I ricnd in the Country., that i^ hury^ enierd thcit Proteftations 3-
fublijb'd in the Second Volume, gainft ic. t They pleaded that this
of the State Trans of King Qath would be deHrudive to the
Xharks'5 2?«;^>f, ^. 4i,&c. priviledge of their Houfe, which

was to Vote freely, and not to
be prc-obiigcd by an Oath to the Prelates. After a
great many Debates, tho' the 7 eft was carry 'd by a

Majority

Chap. XIII. Mr. Richard Baxter. 345

Majority, yet it was fo altered, as made it incapable of -4«. 1^75.
ferving the Purpofes of thofe who a,c firft were moft
Zealous for it; it was not to their Guft, for they re-^
lucd it to thefe Words of a Declaration, and an Oarh.
I /I, B. do Declare, that it is not lawful on any Pre-
tence whatfoever, to take Arms againft the King,
and I do abhor the TraiterousPofition of taking Arms,
by his Authority againft his Perfon, or agaiaft thofe
that are Commiilion'd by hinni according to Law, in
time of Rebellion and War, in Adting in Purfuance
of fuch GommiHion.* ' I A.B. do Swear that I will
not endeavour an Alteration of the Proteflant Re-
ligion now Eftablifh'd by Law, in the Church
of England, nor will I endeavour any Alteration
in the Government of this Kingdom in Church
or State, as it is by Law Eftablilh'd.' And when
t Paft, the Lords got in this Provifo, that it fhould
he no hindrance to their free Sfeahjng and Voting in the
Parliament *.

Kpting

* / thifik it mt amifs here to ittfeft,
A Utter ji-om Arcbbifhop Sheldon, to Vr. Compton Blflop of London,
dated Jan. 17. 1675.

IRigbt 'Reyerend^ and my -very good Lord,

rHave tliought fit for ferae Reafons that nearly concei-n the Church, to
pray and require your Lordfhip, and by you the reft of my Brethren
tlie Bifhops of this Province, that forthwith upon the Receipt hereof,
you fend Letters di)e£)-ed to the Archdeacons and Commiflaries of your
refpeftive Dioctflfes, wililng and ftraidy charging thera, that as well by
Conference wiiJi tlie Mioilters, as the Church-Wardens of each Parifli, or
fuch others as may but give them the moft punftual Satisfaftion, they par-
ticularly inform themfclves as to the feveral Enquiries hereafter mentioned:
And tliat having gain'd the moft true and certain Information herein,
that they are able, they prefently after tliis their next Vifitation of Eafier
ended, tranfmic their Account thereupon in Writing unto their refpeftive
Diocefans, and they to your Lordlhip, by you to be Communicated to
nie, with your Lordlhips iirft conveniency. And to the end that they
may be the more circumfpeft and fudden in the Execution of this Aifair,
1 think it not unneceffary that there be fome Advertifement intimated unto
them, how that even they themfelves and their Jurifdiftions are in fome

meafure

946 The LIFE of Chap. XIH.

4a. \6-}6. Ks^if^g the Informer, being in Prilbn for Debt,
Wrote to Mr. Baxter to endeavour his Deliverance,
which he did. He cold him in his Leccer, that he verily
believ 'd that God had lent his Affli6J:ion upon him, as
X Punilhmenc for giving him fo much trouble ; and ear-
neftly deiir'd him to Pray to God to forgive him. A-
nothcr Inroruicr M<ir;yfe,:/, dy'd in the Counter, where
he was clapc up fur Debt: And ycc others went on.
Sir Toom,:i D^.vis gave a Warrant toDiftreiji on Mr. Bax-
ter for 50/. for Preaching bis Le<5turc at Ncw-^reet.

meafuie herein alfo concern'd. So nor doubting of your Z,ordlhips Care
in the Premifes, I bid your Lordlhip heartily Fare wel. And am,
My Lord,

Tour tcrdjhifi Afe^ionate friend and Brother,

GILBERT CANT.

The Inquiries.
i. What Number of P<.rion3 are there by common Account and
tllimaiion inhabiting within each Parilli fubje£t to your Jurifdiftion.

2. What Number of Popi;li Recufants, or Perions fufpeOed for fuch
Reciifancy are there refident among the Inliabitants afoiUaid.

^. What Number of other Diffenters ire tiiere in each Paridi, of what
Soft foever, which either obftinatcly icfule, or wholly abfent themfelves
from the Communion of the Church of Englt^nd^ ai (uch Times a3 by
Law they are required.

For the Right Feverer.d F/ttlur in 0'>dy
Henry, Lord Bijhop of London.

This Tear 1 67 5, tl>epe vas a Bosk Printed, Entituled, The 'Eeacea'bU
Vejign^ or a» Atc^unt of the Nonconformifi> Mcetlnj^^, by fome Miniflen of
London, tphich Dr. Stil^ingfieet, w/>t reflc^ed upon it in the Freface to
his UnreafonabIeMcf> of Separation^ f- 25, J'ty^t ^^^ Trinted vith a Deji^n
to prefent it lo the Farli ar/ietit . The fame Teat came uut, fume Eeafom
vhich prevail d w'th the Diffenters in Brilrol, to continue their Meetingi^
hovervcr Profccuted or Dijiutb'd. fi'^vcr alfo tfas puhlifh d. Separation yet no
Schtfm^ or Nonconflrmifis no Schifmaticks, in Anfwer to Mr. Sliarp'i Sermon
before the Lord Mayir, by Mr. Thomas Wadfworth. uind Mr, Stockton's
'Rebuke to Jnhrmers, with a Plea for the Miniflen of the Gofpel, inllcd Non-
ctnfcrmijii, and their Meetings, and Adyice to thofc to vfhoni thefe Informers
Addrcf themfelves, for Affijiance in tlteir Undrrtakinrs. Kow alfo was
Trimed Naked Truth, jaid to be Written by the Bifhop of Hertford ; which
contain d federal bold Truths, and had feyeral A^ftvers^ of which fome weu
Smart^ and otlieti mort Mild.

How-

Chap. XIII. Mr. Richard Baxter. 947

However he ftill went on, and Built a New Meeting- ^n. i'j66

Houfe in Oxenden-ilreet, the Old Place over St. Jnmess

Market- Houfe, being not tho'c fafe; and when the New

Chappel was finilhed, and he had Preached but once,

a Refolation was taken to furprize him the next time,

and fend him for fix Months to Goal upon the Oxford

j^cf. He knowing nothing of it, had taken a Journey

into the Gauntry, and Mr. Seddon a Dnrbyjhire Minifter

was procur'd to Preach for him •• He was taken and fent

to the Gate-Houfe, alcho* the Warrant fuited him not,

He continu'd there near Three Months, and at laft was

deliver'd by an Habeas Corpuf. About this time, 12 or

I i of the Bilhops dining with that Eminent Citizen

Sir Nnthnnael Hern then Sheriff of London^ and Dif-

courfing with him about putting the Laws againft the

Diffenters in Execution ; he told them, that they could

not Trade vpith their Neighbours one Day, and fend them to

Goal the next. In the next Seflion of Parliament, the

Duke of Buckingham make a notable Speech againft

Petfecution, and defired the Confent of the Lords,

that fee might bring in a Bill for the Eafe of His Maje-

fties Proteftant Subjedls in matters of Religion; but

while he was preparing it, the Parliament was Pro-

rogii'd.

Mr. Baxter having been kept an whole Year from
Preaching in his New Chappel, in /ipril 1676, be-
gan in another, in Si. Martins

Parilh *. A little before, the ^ In i6j6, were pubitfh^dmori
King importunately Commanded Anlmadyerjlom on Naked Truth.
and Urg'd the Judges, and Lcn- I-tx Talionis, or the Author of
don Juflices, to put the Laws -^^^^^ "^^^ ^^ ft^'P^ TCahed, 410.
againft the Nonconformifts in ^^1^- ^niodefi Surrey of the
Execution: and Sir Jofeph Shel- ^f confderabe Thngj tn *

don the Lord Mayor, the Arch- ^'yfjf'^^ /""^ft' -T
i-n » i^- r J- I titled Naked Truth. Mr.bmirlL,

bifliops near Kmiman accordingly ^^ ^^^ ^.^.^^ .^ ^^^^ . ^^.^^
did fo for fome time, and many ,,,^^;„ Anmtations, upon the
Mmifters were clapt up m Goals. Anlmadyerftom on Naked Truth :
Mr. Baxter was forcibly kept out Supposd to be Written by Andrew
of his New Meeting-Houfe in Marvel.
Svffallovp-Street , by a Guard of
Conflables and Ofiicers, for many Lords Days together.
Bat Mr. H^adfworth dying, he Preach'd to his Flock in
Southwark many Months in Peace, no Juftice being wil-
ling ro difturb them : And when Di, Loyd fucceeded

Dr,

348 The LI FE of Chap. XIH.

An, 1578. Dr. L.tf?}plugh in St. Martins Parifli, he offer'd him his
Chappel in Oxenden-Street for Publick WorHiip, and he
* rhc^ accepted ii *.
Gcr.tlc-

wan that Com fled the Third Volume of the Compkat Hiilory of England,
^uot'iM^ this Pajfage^ /»* 41 2, fays. That that pare of the Relation as to the
OfJcr of a Chnppcl, is known to be taife. This appearing tc he a direci
ContradiClion to Mr. Baxur j Relation of a matter of fa-!}, vpJj'ch he himfelf
teas concern d in, troubled wanj. The rather, iecaufe it fcertid to firihe at
the Credit of his vfhole Hifiofy, Mr. BaxiCT had not r^y ^Jferted in the Hi'
fiary of his Life, P. 179, that he waf encoura^'d bjJ>r: Tillotfonto mike
the offer of the Chappel, qnd that it was 'iccepc-d to his great Sirisfifti-
on; but he had mentioned it in feveral of his Hnrh that rffere puhUpj'd in
bii Life time : And particularly in Itis Brey}a<e of the Life of his Wife-, he
f^y^i p- 57 •* That Dr. Lloyd and the PariuJoners accepted of it for their
Publick VVorfljip, and that he and his Wife asked them no more Rent,
tJian they were to pay for die Ground, and the Room over for a Veftry
at $ /; asking no Advantage for all tlie Money laid out on the Building.
U hit h was never knoisrn to be contradiclcdy till this Hifiory vfas puhlijhd.
Application therefcre was made to the Compiler of that Third Folume in 4
*efpc(lful way, and he was requeued to ftgwfe upon what Grounds thi^ was
thar^'d a<i a Valfity. Hereupon, he hke a Gentleman, a Chriflian, and a
Diyine, jrankly ofer'd to confuit rny Lord Bijhop of Worcefler upon the Mat-
ter, who was pleas' d to 7 ire it under his Haytd, (and J have it now by me)
That Mr. Baxter being diiiurb'd in his Meeiing-Houfe in OxeyJenftrcct,
by the King's Drums, which Mr. Secretary Oivei-.try cau?"d ro bf beat un-
der the NViniows, made an offer of letting it to the Parifn of St. Mav-
^irn for a Tabernacle at the Rent of Forty Pounds a Year ; :md that his
I-ordll ip liejiring it, faid he lik'd it well : And that thereupon Mr. Baxter
rjme to him h.imfelf, and upon his propofing ihe f.ime Thing to him, he
acqininted the Veflry, and they took it upon tliofe Terras. This Account
T fuhUp/d in the Narrative prefixed to Mr. Baxter'.* Traclical Works, and here
repeat, with due \ThanJcs to l)is Lordjhip for his franhmf<, and to tl>e Gentle-
man who confulted him, for his mofi ohliginz^ readinefs to do JufiiiQ to Truth ^
t^o* not much to the Credit of the Compleat Hifiory.

In 1678, The Popifh Plot broke out, which exceed-
ingly alarum'd the whole Nation. The Houfcof Com-
mons after many warm Debates, came to this Refoluti-
on ; that there hath been, and is, r.n Execrable r,nd Hjliifh
dejign, ccntrivd and carry d on by Fopifi^j {{ecujants for
Ajfr.ffmating and Murdering the Kjngy for Jubverting the
Government, nnd for dt'/rroyinj/ the Protejlant [{elision by
Kavo EjUblifh'd, Moft of their time was fpent in
fcarching into this Plot, and in endeavouring to pre-
vent the Fatal Qjafequences oil it. Many futfet'd fpr

it.

Chap. XIII. Mr, Richard Baxtet. 349

if, notwithftanding all the Endeavours of Great Men -4». 167^
about the Court to fave and fcreen them. The Parti-
culars may be feen in the Hiftories of the time. At
length on January the T4th, 167^.. this Parliament
which fo long cdrtioly'd with the Criurt in all their
Defires, which to Gratifie the Clergy, caft fo many
Worthy Miniftersout of the Chr.rch by the Ad for
Uniformity, and afterwards lard fuch) heavy Burdens
on the Poor Nonednformifts; which improved by fetting,
and grew more and more concerned for the Publick
Welfare, as they were ??s,vakened by a Senfc of the
Common Danger, was fuddenly Diiroived. This
Diflblution occafion'd a General Ferment in all Parts of
the Country. It was generally efteemM the Common
Concern in the next Election to choofe firm Proteftants,
who ftiould heartily apply themfelves to make Provi-
(ion for the Common Security. The New Parliament
had their firft Seifion March the 6th foil-owing, and ^«- 167^.
they began where the laft Parliament left off. When
they had Sate fome tirrie, they were Prorogu d to /iu-
^^y? the 1 4th "^ : But before that time, they were Dif- ^T^/^/^^-^^y^
folv'd by Proclamation, and another cali'd to Sit at 1679, ^^^
iVeHminfler in OHoher following. When they allem- fuhUjh'd
bledj they were Ad journd till the i6ih of '^Miuary: By Mr. Alfop'i
which 'time, a New Plot was Difcover'd by Danger. Melius In-
field^ which the Papifts had contrived to lay upon the quirendum.
Diflenters. They were afterwards Adjoum'd feveral
times till OFtober the 30th, when they Sate and pro-
ceeded to Bufinefs. Finding no other way to keep
Popery out of the Nation, than by Excluding the Duke
of Tor l(^ from the Succeiiion to the Crown, they bro't in
a Bill to Difable him. On November the 1 1 th, it palTed
the Commons; on the 15 th it was carryM up to the
Houfe of Lords by the Brave Lord '^jfe!^ and there
at the Second Reading it was thrown out, by a Ma-
jority of Thirty Voices, of which 1 4 were Bilhops f. f rhe¥e
This Houfe of Commons had before them a Bill ^as now
for a Comprehenfion^ and another for an Indulgence, pchUflyd
Both of them were read twice, and were before the a fliorc and

true Ac-
count of the feveral Advances the Church of England hath made cowards
'Rome :, Or a Model of the Grounds upon which the Papifis for thcfe Hundred
Tears hay e built their Hspes and LxpeCiations^ that England would e'er lonr
return to Foperj, Bj Dr. Du Moulin, fometime Hi/lory J^rofifor of Oxford.

Com-

350 The LIFE of Chap. XIII,

An. 1 58o. Committee. Having obtain'd a Copy of the Heads of
a Bitt for Vniting hts Majfji/s Protejiant Subje^s^ that
was agreed on at a Committee , Nov. 1 8, 1 680, I (hall
here infert tbem.

" I. All Perfons that (hall Subfcribe, and give their
Affent and Confent, to Thirty fix of the Thirty nine Ar-
ticles, vi:{. all that concern the Dodlrine of the Church
of England only, (hall be capable of any EcdeJiafti-
cal Living or Preferment, as if they had fubfcrib'd,
and given their Aflcnt and Confent to all the Thirty
" nine Articles.
*' 1. No Perfon to be admitted to any Ecclefiaftica!
Living or Preferment, that does not Erft take the
Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and take and
lubfcribe the Declaration taken by the Parlia-

<c

ec

ment.

3. The Ufe of the Surplice to be wholly taken
away, except in the Kings Chappel and Cathedral
Churches.

'* 4. No Minifter to be oblig* d to declare their Af
fent and Confent upon the Reading of the Common
Prayer according to the Ad: of Uniformity.
*' 5. NoMinilter to be obHgd to rtnounce the Co-
venant.

*' 6. None to be compcU'd to ufe the Crofs in Bap-
tifm, or fa^r for not doing it : But if any Parent
defire to have his Child Chriften'd, according to the
Form now ns'd, and the Minifter will not ufe the
Sign, it (hall be Lawful for that Parent to procure
another Minifter 10 do ir. And if the proper Mini-
fter (hall refufe to omit the Ceremony of the Crofs,
** ic (hall be I. awful for the Parent who would not
" have his Child fo Baptii'd, to procure another Mi-
** nifter who will do it without the Crofs, according to
" his Defire.

" 7. None fhall be denied the Sacrament of the
" Lord's Sapper, tho* they do nor ufe the Geftures of
" Kneeling in the Adi of Receiving.

*' 8. If any Communicant Ihall not think fit toconle
** lip to the Communion Table there to receive the
** Sacrament, the Minifter of the Pari(h, or his Curate.
** (hall not refufe to Adminifter the Sacrament to him,
** but fhall go to the Place in the Church where fuch
*' Perfou is, and there deliver him the fame.

** A$

Chap. XIII. Mr. Richard Baxter. 551

*' As for fuch as notwithfianding thefe Alterations, -4«. idSo.
** cannot Communicate with the Church of England;
" neither the Statutes of the 23 or 28 of Eli;{ j 3 of
" Jarn ; nor any other former Laws made againft Pc-
" pifli Recufants , (hall be extended to Proteflant
*' Diflenters ; vi7{. fuch as (hall make and fubfcribe the
*' Declaration following. [Here inferi the Deciararion
" when agreed upon.]

'' That ail Perfonsrbat ihali take the faid Declaration
'* fhall be exempted from all the Penalties and For-
'* feitures already incurr'd, by Force of any cf the a-
" foreiaid Laws againit Papifts, without any Fee Oi
** further Charge whatfoever.

'* Such Perfons as Oiall make and fubfcribe the De-
'' claration aforefaid, (hail not be liable to any of the
" Penalties in the K6i for fuppreiTing of Conventicles^
" nor the Ad: of the 35 th Eli:{^ nor be Piofecuted in
*' any Ecciefiaftical Court, by reafon of their Noncon-
" forming to the Church of England.
" But nothing herein Jliall exempt the Perfons afore-
faid from the payment of Tythes, or other Duties
due and payable by other Proteftants of the Church
of England^ oi from any Profecution for the fanoe.
" So as fuch Perfons do not meet for Religious Wor-
fhip armed with Fire Arms, nor in any Place with
the Doors (hut, during all the Time of Prayers and
Preaching, except during the Time of Adminiftring
the Sacrament.

*' If any fuch Perfons as aforefaid Ihall be chofen or
appointed to bear the Office oi High Conftable, or
Petty Conftable, Church- Warden, Overfeer for the

Poor, or any other Parochial or Office, he ihali

have Liberty to find a Deputy, fuch a One as ihall
be approved by Two Juftices of the Peace.
" Neither the Adt againft Conventicles, nor the
Five Mile A(fl ihall be profecuted againft any Mini-
fters, that (hall make and fubfcribe the Declaration
aforefaid; and ihall not Preach in any Place, but on-
ly with the Doors open as afoiefaid.
" Any Jufticeof the Peace may require any Perfor?
that goes to any Meeting for Religious Worlhip 10
make and fubfcribe the Declaration as aforefaid; and
every Perfon fo refufing ihall be committed to Pri-
fon, and his Name certify'd by the Juftice cf Peace

*' to

C(

U

352 The LIFE of Chap. Xlir

Jin, i6So. *' to the Quarter Seffions : And if fucli Perfon fhall
*' refufe to make and fublcribe the Declaration at die
" Qiiarter Scfiions, he ilia 11 be taken for a Papift Qoh-
*' vid-, and fuftcr accordingly ; and be liable to the
** Penalties of all the fa id Laws.

" No Perfon that will not take the Oaths of Alle-
*^ giance and Supremacy, when tendred to him, lliall
*' be admitted to take the faid Declaration that cannot
*' within Twenty one Days, bring Two fufiicienc
" Witnefles to Certify upon Oath, that they believe
** him to be a Diflcnting Proteitnnt^ and alio bring a
" Certificate from his Congregation, owning him as
'* one of them.

" Till that Certificate fhall be produced, and the
** Two Witnefles come to Atteft his being a Vrotcflnnt
** Diflentcr as aforefaid, the Juftice to take Recogni-
** zance, with Two Sureties for his proving the fame ;
'* and if he cannot give fuch Securities, to commit him
*^ to Prifon.

** The Laws againft Perfons not coming to Church,
" fhall be ftill in Force againft all fuch as do not come
'* to fome Church of the Church of En^Und^ or fome
" other Congregation, or AlTembly for Religious Wor-
** iliip, permitted and allowed by this Law.

But finding this would not go, a Bill was prcpar'd
purely for exempting his Majefty's Proteifant SubjeiSis,
• Diflenting from the Church of EnglnnH, from the Pe-
nalties impos'd upon the Papifts by the A^ of i^'EiP:;.
It pafTed the Commons, and was agreed to by the
Lords, but when the King came to the Houfe to pafs
the Bills, this was taken from the Table, and never,
heard of more : Which was not likely to be without the
King's Order, or Connivance. Many Leading Men
fpake in the Houfe of Commons, while thefe Matters
were under Debate there: As Mr. Bujcowen, Sir Nicho-
las CareWy Sir John Mnynard, Sir Francn IVinningtdri ^
Delates of ^^' ^^^^^'^^^y-> Mr. Titus, Mr. PovqcI, Sir I{jch/ird Tern-
the Houfe of P^^y Mt. Hamhden, M.T. Finch, Sir Thomas C Urges, Col-
(nmmons at lonel Birch, on One lide : &c. And feverai others alfo
the Parlia- on the oppofite fide. One Gentleman when the Bill
nent in of Comprehenfion was Read, was pleas d to fay, That .
1680. he tho't it more Convenient to have n Law for forcing the

page 207. Diffenters to the Church, than to force the Church to yield
2iij 212. to them. But fays a Worthy Gentleman who Ipake if-

ierwards»

Ghap. Xfli. Mr. Kfchard Baxter. 55:^

terwards; 0'foat Love, Friehdfhip or Obediev.ce can the An. i68o'
Church expeH f<om fuch PerfonSj as by the Execution of
Juch Laws may be fore d to come to Church ? Hoxk> can they be
depefided on, or the Church be flrengtherid P Tju rnay pre-
vent their Conventicles', and force them either to come to
Church or pay Fines, or be imprifond ; hut you cannot ex-
peB- that their Opinions or Affeliions fhmld be alter d by
fuch Proceedings^ vpithoitt rohich the Church cnn never he
the Jirongen Afterwards he adds^ if the OxioYdi Aci
and other Laws againji Dijjenters^ were pro[ec}ed in fa^
^our of the Proteftahc Religion, it was Grange that they
were Jo much promoted, (as 'tis well known they werej
by Sir Tho. ClifFoid, Sir Sol. SwaJe and Sir Roget
Strickland, who have fjnce all appear'^d tobe Papijrs, But;
they had not time to bring Thingsto Maturity. For the
King was diffatisfy'd with their Proceedings; his greac
want was Money, and they were refolv'd to give none,
unlefs he would pafs a Bill to Exclude the Duke oiTork^,
Whereupon on the 14th of Jan. they were ProroguM :
But before they rofe, they came to thefe Two Refoluti-
bns : I{f/olv^d Nemine Contradicente, That it is theOpi'
nion of this Uoufe, that the Acts of Parliament made ih
the F(sign of Queen Elizabeth nrtd Kjng Jam'eS r.gainU
Popifh i^ecufants, ought not to be extended ngain'd PrOte-
ilant Dijfenters, /ind ^efoh'd, that it li the Opinion of
thtf Houfe, that the Profecutibn 0/ Proteftant Diffsnters
tipon the Penal Laws., is at this Time grievous to the Suh'»
jsB, a weakning the Proteiftant Interefi, an Ryicourage^
went to Popery, and dangerous to the Peace of the Kjng-
-dom. After which they were firft Prorogu'd and then
Diflblv'd. Another Parliament met at Oxford \n March
following, but had not time to do any Bufinefs. There
was a complaint then made of the nnprecedtnted lofs
of the forementiort'd Bill for.tbe {Repealing the AH of
35 Eliz. but without any Satisfaction orRedreis.

Notwithftandmg that the Fears of Popery were iii
thefe Times fo great and general, and manifeRly but too
well grounded, yet did Dr. Stillingfieet then Dean of
St. Pauls chink fit (prevaifd on as is fdppos'd by fome
great Perfons) to reprefent all the Nonconform if^s as
Schifmatickj: And he did it to purpofe, Ctho* moft Peo-
ple tho't very unfcafonably) in a Sermon before the
Lord Mayor, on May the zd^ 1680; Intituled the Mif-
chief of Separation. He there takes notice of it ss an

h at Ae-

354 'T*^ LIFE of Chap, XIU.

jU. I 58o Acknowledgment of many of the Dilfenting Minifter?,
That Commihiicn xv'uh the Publick^ Churches was Lawful,

pare 1 2 12 ^^^ ^^ refers to their Two Mecdngs to confider the
'^ ' ' lawfuinefs of Parifh Worfhipthat Mr. Baxter had tnen-
tion'd in Piinc, (which have been before hinted in this
Narracive) : And yet a few Pages after, hf complains
' th^t the Liivpfulnefi of. jc^ff^^ vpith the Church in Publicl(^
Affemblies vom kpft as a mighty fecret in the Brenjls of the
Teachers ; leait they floould feem to condemn themfehes,
whilfl they preacFd agninfi Separation in n feparate Con"
gregation. But it appeared to unprejudiced Standers by,
a pleafant Fancy, that he fhould reprefent Men as having
a defign to conceal, what he knew they had publilh'd
to all the World in Print. In the fame Sermon, the
Dr. lamented, That when the Diff enters fo genernUy con"
jsntpd in this Cafe, there foould he fo few either of their
Preachers or People that came ordinarily to the Publick, Con-
gregations. And adds, That it is hard to under (Innd if
'' ' ' occafional Communion he Lawful ^ thdt conjiant Communion
fhould not he a Duty, Sec.

An Anfwer was Written to this Sermon by Dr. Owen^
with great Gravity and Serioufnefs ; in which among
other fuitable and feafonable Remarks, he upon occa-
fion of the Doctors caution to the Nonconformifts,

j,^2, <i. wo; to be always compUining of their Hard/hips and Perfe-
cation^ makes this Reply: They that is the Nonconfor-
mifts fay, after fo many of them have died in Common
Goals J fo many have indur'^d long Imprifonments, not a few
^ being at thts D.iy in the fame durance ; fo many driven
from their Habitations into n wandring Condition, to pre-
ferve for a while the Liberty of their Perfons ; fo many
have been reduced unto fVant and 'Penury, by the takjng
away cf their Goods ; and from fome the very Inftrwncnts
of their Livelihood ; after the Projecutions which have been
againil them in all Courts of Justice in tJm Nation, on In^
formations, Inditements, and Suits, to the great Charge
of all of them who are fo Perfecuted, and the I{uin of fome ^
after fo many Ministers and their Families have been brot^
into the utmoft outward Str eights which Nature cnn fubfiSl
under • after all their perpetual Fears and Dangers when-
with they have been exercised and difquieted, they thinl(^ it
bard they fhould be complain d of, for complainings by them
wha are at Lafe, 8<c,

Ano-

Chap. XIIL Mr. Richard Baxter. 555

Another Anfwer to the fame Sermon, that was very An. idSo
Particular, Warm and Clofe, was publilh'd by Mr. Bax-
ter, Among other remarkable Hints, he in one Place
exprefTes himfelf thus : I voill never be a Member of n ^. ^y.
Particular Churchy which will forbid me Communion with
all others that differ from them ; yea, that doth not hold its
Communion in Vnity with all the true Chri^ian Churches
on Earth. He afterwards inftances in many Things /». 58.
that are Lawful, but not matter of Duty. And con-
cludes with thefe Words ; // you will rather let in Tole- f. 107.
ration of Popery^ than you will To/?r4fe«Proteftants, that
fear the Guilt of Lyings Perjury ^ and many other Evils,
fhould they do that which you confejl indifferent^ let God. be
Judge between you and m.

A Third Anfwer was drawn up with great "Wit and
Smartnefs by Mr. ^Ifop, who oppos'd the Mifchief of Im-
f ofit ions to ihe Do(Sior's Mifchief of Separation. He briskly
turns upon him his own Words and Phrafes, and re-
torts his Charges and Accufations. He forces the
Do(ffcors Text out of his Hands, and proves he mill-ook
the Senfe of it. He Argues alfo ftrenuoully againft him
from ^om. 14. He proves that occafional Communion p. 80.
may be Lawful, and yec conftant Communion not a
Duty." He retorts his Cautions upon him: And con-
fronts his Advices, with counter Advice; and at length p. 102.
^•concludes with thefe Words : I muft openly Profefi, after
all I can hear or read againji the Caufe of Nonconformity^
I am more confirmed, that i^tll the Wtt of Man can never
prove the Dijfenters in their way of H^orjhip Guilty of the
Mifchief s of Separation, nor jultifie the exaBors of fuch
Terms of Communion as are no way co-mmanded by the H^oid
of God, no way necejfary to* the executing of thofe Com-
mands ; but they muft remain If ill Guilty of the Mifchief
of thefe Imprcfjtions.

A Fourth Reply to the fame Sermon, was intituled,
a Letter I4^ritten out of the Country to a Perfon of Quality
in the City y who took. Offence at the late Sermon of Or.Stil-
lingfleet Dean of St. Pauls, before the Lord Mayor ; and
was drawn up by Mr. Howe with great clearnefs and
ftrength of Reafoning. He (hews how unreafonably
the Dr. endeavours to keep the Diflenters, who after
the utmoft fcarch could not be faiisfied to Conform, in
a State of Damnation for fcrupUng the Ceremonies; ac
leaft in a neglcd of the neceltary Means gf Salvation.

A a x He

550 The LIFE of Chap. XIII.

An. :58o. He Ihews his Arguments both ^^ ^cm 8c ad Hominem
to be unconcluding. He refleds freely on the Dodior,
for his too great Acrimony, and too little ferioufners
in his way ot Management ; and yet cloies with a very
gcrtecl and handfome Addiefs to iuch as were offended
with the Do£lors Sermon, to abate their Indignation,
and moderaie their Cenfures, and ftir them up to turn
th'.ir Reiiedtions upon bim, into ferious Prayers for
him, for which he fliews there is very juft Occallon.

A Fifth Reply was written by Mr. harret of Notting-
ham^ and intituled, T/jj H^Hor of Svitton committed with
the Dean cf St, raul's ; Or a Defence if Dr, SiillingfleetV
Irenicum, his Di/courfes of Excommunicatioti, Idolatry ^
ard other PV/itinys, agairji his late Sermon of ihe Mifchief
of Separation. Wherein, he with great Modefty, and
a becoming Chriftian Temper, reflects upon thofe
Things in the Sermon which appear'd to him the moft
liable to Cenfure. And he that would underfland the
Bafinefs of Schifm, and Separation of the Church, and
Church Power, and Church Order, of the Rule we
are to Walk by, and the true Way of healing our
Breaches, would do well to give the Sermon and thefe
feveral Anfwers a ferious Perufal. And yet while the
Do(5lor and his Oppofites were eagerly debating Matters,
the Common Enemy took an Advantage by their Scuffle,
to advance in his Progrefs towards their intended Ruin.
The Pcor Diflenters were Profecu ted afrelh, in De-

c4«. 1681. fiance of the Votes of the Parliament in their Favour.
Nay, feveral zealous Proteftants, who had been moft
Active againft the Papifts, were try'd by Mercenary
Judges, with Pack'd Juries, upon hi/h Evidence.
The Ccnfeqr.ence may be feen in the Common Narra-
tives cf ih fe Times. Orders and Dieftions were fent
from the King and Council Board to fupprefs all Con-
venticle^, uhich were follow'd carefully enough by the
Ji flices ' f fJickf's' H'-d/^ and in the Borough of South'
* rhif rvrky an>; by feme of the City Juftices alio*.

Tear rcM

f)ul)i jL'd, An Appeal of all the Nonconformifts in England to God, and

aU h? IM'iei nn - in EiiK'pt", in Order 10 miini',e[l their Sincerity in Point of

C) fr , . and tlh King: iB^ Lewis Du Moulin. The Findi cation

> pu 'Ujfj a by Dr Faikner, ffroy'd no Vindication of the

, J ,ulnel\ and Anticjuity of Set fyrms cf Public k Minifierial

■fgcncraliy Uid hy.^ or iwpoi'd on all Aiini/laru 8vo. 16B1. By

This

Chap. XIII. Mr. Richard Baxter. 557

This Year alfo the Meetings of the DilTenters were An. |582.
oft broken up, and the Laws againft them' vigoroufly
executed. Many Minifters were imprifon'd, and they
and their Hearers fin*d. Mr. Baxter was fuddenly fur-
priz'd in his own Houfe by a Poor Violent Intornner,
and many Conftables and Officers, who rufli'd in, and
apprehended him, and ferv'd upon him a Warrant to .
feize on his Perfon for coming within Five Miles of
a Corporation, and Five more Warrants to diftrain for
195/. for Five Sermons. Tho' he was mt^ch out of
Order, being newly rifen from his Bed, where he had
been in extremity of Pain, he was contentedly going
with them to a Juftice, to be fent to Goal, and left
his Houfe to their Will. But Dr. Thomas Cox, meet-
ing him as he was going, forc'd him in again to his
Bed, and went to Five Jufticesand took his Oath, that
he could not go to Prifon without danger of Death,
Upon this the Juftices delay'd till they had confulted the
King, who confented that his Itnprifonment fliould
be for that time forborn, that he might Die at home.
But they executed their Warrants on the Books and
Goods in the Houfe, tho* he made it appear they were
none of his, and they Sold even the Bed which he
lay Sick upon. Some Friends pay'd them as much
Money as they were praisM at, and he repay 'd them.
And all this was without Mr. Baxtei'^s having the leait
Notice of any Accnfation, or receiving any Summons
r.o Appear and Anfwer for himfelf, or ever feeing the
Juftices or Accufers : And afterwards he was in coa-
ftant danger of New Seifures, and thereupon he was
forc'd to leave his Houfe, and retire into private Lod-
gings. Dr. Annefly and feveral others alfo, had their
Goods diftreined for Latent Convidlions, others were
imprifon'd upon the Corporation hSt; while others
were worry*d in the Spiritual Courts. Warrants were
fign*d for Diftreffes in Hacl^ney to the Value of /400/.
and one of them for 500/. And on January 9, 168K
Mr. Vincent wastry'd at tht Surrey ^ti^xons upon the 35 th
o'iEli^, and Caft.

This Year Dr.Sti/Ungfleet Printed his Vnre^ronahle'
nep of Separation : Or an Impartial Account of the Hi-
ftory. Nature and Pleas of the prefent Separation from
the Communion of the Church of England, to which
feveral Letters are annexed, concerning the Natiire of

A a 3 our

558 The LIFE of Chap. XIIL

An. i68:. our Differences, and the way to compofe them, from
f v^ral Eminent Divines Abroad. Thefe Letters are Ap-
plauded by our late Compleat Hi-
*;'(/. 3. f. 593. ftorian*, and by Ceveral others.

But he that confuks the Printed
Fretich Letters of Monlieur CUude, who wrote one of
ihofe Letters that are Printed at the end ot Dr. StilUng-
fleets Book, will fee no great Caufc for boafting on
the Church fide upon this Occafion. For whereas the
Letter that the Dr. has Printed, is the 37th in Number
among the French Letters of Monfieur Claude^ that
which immediately follows, and isthe3Sth in Num-
ber, and Written to a certain
t See Oeuyres Fo/ihumes de Lady, and dated at Pfirisy A-
Mcrtfieur Claude, Tome Cintjui- prill 6. 1 68 1, giveS no little Elu-
«me, /». 264, &c. cidation to what went before f. I'll

therefore add a part of the Letter:

" UADAia,
\[ TTAvingunderftood feveral Ways, that many Per-
■*-^ *' fons have not taken my Senfe and Exprefli-
** ons concerning the prefent State of the Church of
** England well, I tho't it not amifs to exprefs myfelf
" to you more particularly, that you may know the
** Innocence of my Thoughts and Intentions. Firft of
** all, I folemnly Proreft to you, that when I wrote
. ** upon this Subjedt to my Lord Bifliop of L ndorij I
*' had no profpedt that my Letter would be Printed, or
*' made Pub'tck: Nay, I was fupriz'd and aftoniiVd
to fee it both in French and EnglifJ: at the end of the
Book you fent me : And bclides, you may if you
pleafe, Madam, reft alTur'd, that in what I wrote I
" aim'd but at Two Things ; To juftify us from a Ca-
'* lumny which fome charge us with, as if we belicv'd
'* there could be no Salvation under the Epifcopai Go-
*' vernment; and ro affiftas far as my Weakncfs would
^' allow me, in a gpod and holy Reunion of the Two
** Parties. As for the firft, I think I have juftly enough
*^ explain'd tiie Senrimenisof all the Praejhfus of thig
" Kingdom, and in Particular, all thofc that are ho-
" nour'd wiih our Charadler ; And I am alfur'd that
'^ the Englijh Presbyterians would i^ot go fo far, as to
•f qucftion ihe pollibility of Salvation under the Mi-
r niflry of Bxfliops. They have too much Light, and

<c

u

Ghap. Xlir. Mr, Richard Baxter. 359

a

*' Wifdom, and Chriftian Charity to be capable of this. ^«. i<582.
** As to the fecond, 1 endeavour'd to keep to all the
Rules that ought to be obferv'd in as grieat and im-
portant an Affair as this. I exprefs'd my! -if only in
a way of defire, and fignifying what I could wifti fhe
Presbyterians would attentively ccnfider, I was not
filent wirb regard lo the Epifcopalians. I condemned
the ExC'lTes which fome run into oti one fide and
t'other, and (hew'd as far as my little Light would
" help me, the Reafons that ought to cbhge both f

** the one and the other, to a juft and reafonable Ac-
*' commodation, ^c. And afterwards: Would it not be
" the befl: way, on one fide and t'other to think of a
" good Peace and Concord, by quitting on each fide
*' what can reafonably be quitted ? For I am affur'd that
" the Presbyterians are not fuch Enemies of the Epifco-
" pal Government, as not to yield to it if it were Mo-
" derated,* and thofe Things were but rembv'd out of
*' the Service and Difcipline which are moft Offenfive to
** them ; And I am alfo perfwaded that the Bifhops are
*' not fuch Enemies to their own Intereft, as not to yield
*' much to the defire of a numerous People to Re-unite
'' them intireJy under their Crook. Nor do I doubr,
" but that the fear of God, the defire of bis Glory, and
*' the Love of the Church of Jefus Chrift,- are firong
enough both in ihe one and the other of them, to oblige
them, to feek a Peace that is fo profitable, and fo defira-
ble to all good People. Thefe^ Madam, are my true
and fincereThoughts,and 'tis only upon thele Principles
that 1 wrote to my Lord Bifhop of London, and not
to irritate any Man : And I ati% obliged to you for gi-
" ving me an Opportunity of making ray Sentiments
" known to you. May God by his Providence and
*' Grace fo over-rule the Confufions of the World, as to
*' draw from thence Good to his Church, and Glory to
V- his Name. I commit you to his Protection and Good-
** ncfs, affuring you that I am with all my Heart,

■■^ ^' Yours, &c.^c.

But this and the other Letters which Dr. St Uling fleet
added as an Appendix, are remedied on with great Mo-
defty by Dr. Gilbert ^tle, in the clofe of his F{diionai
Defence of Nonconformity , in which Book, the whole Dif-
courfe of the Vnrfafonabhne/s of Separation is confide r'd

A a 4 Pa-

a

li

m

<£

:^6o Ihe Llfb of Chap. XllK

^iff. 1682. Paragraph by Paragraph. Mv.JoimTrou^hton^Ko ^uh-
lilh'd-an Apology for the Nonconformifls, fiiewing
rheir Reafons both for not Conforming, and for their
Preaching Publickly iho* forbidden by Law. With an
Anfwer to Dr. Stiltimjicet'*^ Sermon and the Defence of
^ -VrtK^ic, as far as conccrneth the Nonconformifts Preaching^.

other T fails

Upon (he Controycrfy hctrpcen tl§p Church and the uijfenters were alfo thli Year,
'(i<582.j pulf/if/yd: As the Harmony between die old -nwl j.;refent Non-
con roimirts Principles, in Relation to the Terms of Conformity nvith re-
fpeff to both the Clevgy and the Peop/cy ^to. A. fad and lamentable Cry of
Opprtjjt'/n and Cruelty in the City ^f Briftol, relating to the Verfecntion of cer-
tain Dijfcnting rroteihnts. Reafons htmb/y offcr'd^ prorin^r it inconfi/ient
•xvith the IntereU of England, that the Ciyil Magiftrate 0)ould put the Penal
Lnxps in Execution azainfi Proteft^nt Diffenters. -4m Account of the Princi-
ples and Pracfices of feveral Nonconformifis, wherein it appears that their Rg-
ligion ii no other than what is profefi in the Clmtch of England. By Mr. Cor-
bee. The Samaritan : Shewing^ that many and unnecejfary Impofitiom are
not the Oil that mufi heal tJje Church : Together with tlie jl aj or Means to do it.

Jin. 1^85. The fame«Courfe was perfiflcd inthefurceeding Year.
200 Warrants were iffuM out for Diih'efles upon Vx^
hrid^e and the Neighbourhood, for going to ConventicJes»
Dr. Bates and feveral others were diftrem'd upon; and
the Gentlemen of Do6tors Commons got Money apace.
This Year a New Plot was trnmpM up, which coft the
brave Lord F{ttjfel and Collonel Sydney, 8cc. their Lives.
July the 24th, a Decree paft in the Univerfity of Oxon
againft certain pernirious Books and (damnable Dodlrines.
The 2d of the Dodrines Condemn'd was this : There n
a mutual CompaH Tacit or ExpytJ^, between ti Prince And
lis SuijeEls'y and that if he perfmrn not his Duty^ they are
di/coaig'd fom theirs. The 4th this. The Sovereignty of
England, is in the Three EJiates, Kjng Lords and Com^
ir.o.i, (S^c. The 7th this: Self-Prcfervation is the Fun-
elemental Law of Kntutc, and fupcrjfdjs the Obligations
t // yay (f. all others, whenjorver they Rand in Competition with it.

-ircu de- t AikI fome time after, the Grand Jury of iVejlminJler

fryci en-

'■uiry., How tlr Cenfurcrs of thefe Pojttions, can reconcile the Denial of the
I cond of tlittn with the Declaration of the Vacancy of tl>e Throne upon Kin^
J.mcsN yibdlcution^ upon wire!) Kin'r William wj4 .advanced to it. The
Convention Declared in fo many li^v^lV That King J AMtS had endea-
voLii d w iubvert tlie ( onflitiuion of llTib Kingdom, by breaking, THE
ORIGINAL CONTRACT BETWEEN KING and PEOPLE, drc.

made

Chap. XIII. Mr. Richard Baxter. 361

made a very Signal Prefentment, viz. f^:>at all thofs ^»- '684,
that were for the Bill of Exclufjoriy might he appre- ^^ f^^ tj^^
hended and proceeded ngainft ; and all Conventicles^ &C. -jth of
Several that were taken at the Meetings were Gon- them^ it
vidted as Rioters, and fin'd 1 o 1. a piece ; and fome could mt
Young Perfons ( of both Sexes j taken at the fame ^fH he de-
Piaces, were fent to Bridevoell to beat Hemp. About ^^^^^ h w
this Time, one Mr. B^bert HUyot of Oxon a pious ^J^hat
Gonformift who had devoted his Eftate to charita- 7^ ^""^
ble Uf^s, gave by hisLaft Will 600/. to be diftri- ^^^^^'^^^^'^
buted by Mr. Baxter to Sixty poor ejedted Minifters, p^/JJ Jf
adding, that he did it not becaufe they were Nonconfor- Orange
mifi:s, hut becaufe many fuchxv ere poor and pious. But the K?bich cer-
King*s Attorney Sir Robert Sawyer, fued for it in the tainly ^as
Chancery, and the Lord Keeper Korth gave it all to the and is inex-
King. It was paid into the Chancery by Order, and cufable, if
as Providence ordered it, there kept fafe, till King »°^ upon
PFilliam fo happily afcended the Throne, when xhz ^^^^ Score of
Commiflioners of the Great Seal reftor'd it to the Ufe Self-^re-
for which it was intended by the Deceafed ; and ^^^^^^»on-
Mr. Baxter difpos*d of it accordingly. This Year alfo „ W'^^/*
there was a moft cruel Order made by the Juftices of jyj^^^ '^
Peace at the Quarter Seffions at Exon againft all Non- -^ ^J^^ '
conforming Minifters, allowing a Reward of Forty u^j^rg ^c
Shillings to any Perfon that apprehended one of them : urdsy on
And the Bifliop required the Order to be read by all May 16.
the Clergy, the next Sunday after itftould be tcndred 17-^. up-
on Occajion
of Dr. Sachevereir^ Impeachment, mentioning this Pompous Decree at Ox-
ford, takes Notice how little a While they flood to it, in thefe Words. Three
Days after we left Exeter, a Head of a CoUedge came to the Prince tu
invite him to come to Oxford, afluring him that the Univerfity would de-
clare for him. He went a*' near it as Abingdon, but then the fudden Tur»
of Affairs at London obliging him to hafte up, the Aflbciation was fent
thither, aud was fign'd by the Heads of the Colledges, and many others
there -, fome doing it in a particular Warmth of Expreffion, and faying
that their Hearts as well as their Hands went with it. Thus as he
obferves, they contradiSled their fam'd Decree Five Tears after it was made.
And yet in a little Time, they upon fome Dif appointments or other Fiews^
feemd to take another Turn back to it again, By embracing the Notion of a
King de faflo, which is but a fofter Word for an Ufurper. But in the
Tear 1709, thii Decree of theirs was burnt by the Hands of the Common
Hangman, together with Dr. SacheverellV Sermons^ by the Order of the Houfe
of Lords.

£0

362 The LIFE of Chap. XIII.

An. 1584. to them. The Order may be Teen at large, in Mr. Bax-
ter's Nonconformitj ftated and argued, to which it is

prefix'd *.

This

* There
K^as noxff

jmblifbd The Nonconformifls Plea for Lay Communion with the Church
of England hy Mr. John Corbet, together with an Account fj the Judgment
And FraCiice of fotnc Mini/iery vpho v>ere deprf-p'd.

Mr. Howe alfo novf fnhlijh'd a Sermnn in the Continuation of the Morn-
ing Exercife, upon this Quejrion ^ What may moft hopefully be attemp-
ted to allay Animofuies among Proteflancs, that our Divifions may not
be ouv Ruin } In vfhich fpeaklngof Love as one of the heft Means to unite,
ej?abli/f)^ and preferre Chrifiians^ hcexpreffes himfdfthus:
Among thofe that dilTent from the Church of England^ there are fome
that think it not (imply unlawful to Conform ^ but find how
f. 89. ever what is requir'd in the Church lefs edifying to them : And
tho' they can therefore partake in it at fome Times, think them-
fclves more ordinarily bound to attend fuch other Means as they find more
conducing to their Spiritual Profit and Advantage , judging they have an
undoubted Right from Chrift, anciently alloWd from Age to Age, in the
beft Times of the Chriftian Church, and never ^uftly taken from them, of
chooling thePaftors to whofe ordinary Care and Conduft they Ihall com-
mit their Souls. Thele Pcrfons accounting the Pubiick Worihip
f. 85- fubftantialiy agreeable to Divine Inftitution, tho* in fome Acci-
dentals too ^iifigreeable, tliey think there is more to incline
them at fome Times to attend it, than totally to difown it. Foi- what
Worfliip is there on Earth, that is in all Things uncorrupt ? And they
appprcliend ir fit to teftify their union with the fincere Quiftians that
may be ftatcdiy unJer that Form, efpecially in a Time when the Con-
teft is fo high in the World, between them tliat profefs the Subftance of
Reformed Chriilinnity, and them that have much deform'd it : And
conceive it becoming them at any Time to exprefs their own Unconfined-
nefs to a Party, and to ufe that Liberty, which they think fhould not be
judged by another Man's Confcitnce ^ which yet they would have regard
to, where there are not greater Reafons to preponderate. They are in-
deed under a Difadvantage ( with them that are apt to ufe a greater Li-
berty in their Cenfures than they do in their Practice in thefe Matters ).
when it falh out that their partial Compliance is the Means of their Se-
curity from Penalties : And their Difadvantage is greater, whofe Judg-
ment to this Purpofc has aot been formerly dedar'd and mnde known.
"^ But they for bhame ought to be lllenr, whofe total Compliance gains
*^hem nut only Immunity, but great Emoluments. And if it be faid a-
gainf^ them, r^re thty not at all Times oblig'd to ufe the Means
i-. 92. which arc mofi edifying.' They may fay, at all Times wheii
thty Viave nothing to out weigh their own Edification.
Thii Tear A 62^, Dr. Withy alfo puhlifh'd the Proteflant Reconciler, in
Z190 Farts: Humbly fUadittg for iondefcention to Viffm'mg Brethren in

Things

Chap. XIII. Mr. Richard Baxter. 565

This Year while Mr. Baxter lay in Pain and Languifli- An. 1684.
ing, the Juftices of the Seflions fent Warrants to ap-
prehend him, he being one in a Catalogue whi- h was
(aid to contain the Names of aThoufano Perfons who
were all to be bound to their good Behaviour. Know-
ing that their Warrant was not to break open Doors, he
refus'd to open to them, tho' they were gor into his
Houfe. Whereupon they fet fix Officers ar his Study
Door, who kept him from his Bed and Food by watch-
ing all Night, and the next Day he yielded. They
carried him to the Seflions, when he was fcarce able
to ftand, and bound him in a Bond of 400 /. to his
good Behaviour. He defired to know his Crimes and
Accufers : But was told, 'twas only to fecure the Go-
vernment againft fufpefted Perfons.

He was fome Time after carried a- *" ^^'^ ^'M <'/ Samm in his
gain to the Seflions Houfe in great %«^^' /« *''^ ^<'«^ '(^^'//^ » 703,
Pain, and forc'd to continue Bound (f \^'?^^ ^^ '^'^ ^"i^^,^' '^?^'^"

Herefus'd to ftand Bound, not ^f ^?4"\^^'"' f'^r "T f
, - 1. 1 • u - ^ the Diiienters was fet on Foot-

knowmg what they might interpret ^^^ ^^^^ ,^,„ ,j^,„ ^h,„ ^^^ Se!

a Breach of the Peace : But his verities againft them were very
Sureties would be Bound, leaft hard, they were folicited by the
he (hould die inCa Goal. He was car- Agents of the Court to Petition
ried thither a Third Time, and for a General Toleration, but
{till bound, tho* for the moil Part they could not be prevail'd on.
he kept his Bed *

September the 23,d, Mr, Thomas I{o/weII^ who was Mi- Mr. Rof-
nifterof a Diflenting Congregation in S^edriffy was im- weiriC^/V.
prifon'd in the Gate'Houfe in H'^eflminfteYj by a Warrant
from Sir George Jejferys for High-Treafon. A Bill was
found againft him at the Quarter-Seffions at Kjngfton
in Surrey ; upon which he was arraign'd on OHoher the
2,5th, and tried November the i8th following, at the

r.l

Things Indifferent and unnecejfary for the Sahe of Peace : And jhctping hoi»
unnafonable it is to make fuch Things the nece/fary Conditions of Commu-'
nion, part I, And earneftly peifn^ading the Vijfenting Laity to join in
full Communion with the Church of England ; and anfiaering all the Ob-
jeUions of the Nonconformifis againft the Laia>fulnefs of their Submijjion unt9
the Rites and Conflitutions of that Churfh. Part IL

This Tear alfo was fubUfb'i the Confoimifts Plea for the Nonconfor-
niifts. In Four Parts.

364 The LIFE of Chap.Xin.

j^ 1634 KJ^}^'s-B.'nch Bar, by a Surrey Ju'-y, before the Lord
Chief juftice Jcfferys, and three o'her Judj^es of that
Court, I4'^ithins^ Halloway, and M^alcot. The H!gh-
Treafon as laid in the Indidtment and fworn by the
WitncfTes, was that in a Sermon which he preach'd on
Sfptemher the I4ch, he faid tbcfe Words' That the Pco-
fie ( meaning the Subjedts of our Sovereign Lord the
King) mnk:'^ a flockifig to the faid Sovereign Lor-d the)
Jf^nv ^pon Pretence of healing the Kjn^\'Rvii, which he
(meaning our faid Sovereign Lord the King) could not
iic ; hut thr.t we (meaning himfclf and other Traiierous
PerfonsSubje6Vsof our faid Lord the Kmg) are they to
whom they ( meaning the Subjedls of our faid Lord
the King ) ought to fiock^^ bccauje we (meaning himfelf
and the faid other Traiterous Perfons ) are Pri&fts And
Prcfhets, thnt by our Prayers can heal the Dolours nnd
Griefs of the People. iVe (meaning the Subjed:s of our
faid Sovereign Lord the King) havehdd two wicked K^ings
(meaning the raoft Serene Charles the Firft, late King of
Etigland, and our faid Sovereign Lord the King
that now is) whom we can refemble to no other Per/on^
But to the 77ioft wicked JEi{EBO AM ; And th/tt if they
( meaning the faid evil difpofed Perfons then and there
fo as aforefaid with him unlawfully affenibled and ga-
ther'd together) would Jiand to their Principles^ He
( meaning himfelf) did not fedr hut they (meaning him-
fpjf and the faid evil difpofed Perfons) would ov?rcoi?ie
their Enemies^ (meaning our faid Sovereign Lord the
King and his Subjedts) as in former Times with H/ims
Horns ^ broken Platters, and a Stone in a Sling. The Wit-
neffes were three Women. They fwore to the Words
as they ftand, without the Jnnuendos ; the Trial lafted
about feven Hours. Mr. B^ofwell made a moft full and
clear Defence of himfelf i very modeftly and yet ftre-
nuoufly vindicating his Innocence, to the Satisfadlion
of thofe who were prefent ; and fo as to gain the Ap-
plaufe of many Gentlemen of the Long Robe. The
Jury however, after they had been out about half an
Hour, bro't him in Guilty. The Women who were the
Witneflcs were infamous Perfons, laden with the Guilt
of many Perjuries ; which had cafily been prov'd upon
them all, before the Trial, could Juftice have been
had : But they were fcreen'd by the Recorder, who
w-$ the Pcrfon that laid the whole Scheme of the Bull-

nc&

Chap. XIII. Mr. R.ichard Baxter. 365

nefs, and paich'd up the tndicftment, in Terms fuitcd An. 1^84,
to his known Abiliries. But fuch of them as c ujd be
met with, were afterwards oonvidied of Permiy^ and
Smith the chief Witneis, was pilloried before the Ex-
change, Sir John Tiiihot who was prefent, repreff ited ^
to King Charles the State of the Cafe as it appeared at y^^^ J"*
the.Trial ; and he ordered Jcffc-s to nr.d nn ^'*^^^^on. j^^^^q^^.^' ^
Whereupon he Aflignd him Council afterwards, ^^c;^'puUi(k-
plead to the Infufficiency of the Indictment in Arreft f/q n^^^I
of Judgment; and the King gave him his Pardon, up- va rive c^
on which he was difcharg'd *. the Pro-

cer-dings of
the Court of Seffions in Bny^o/againfthim, tohh Convi^innonthe Statute -of
the ^Sth Eliz. and his Abjuration of all the Kims Dominions-' This Yea/t^U"
fo, Mr. Bi-Ktei- J>ubii fly d a TraCl intituled ^CztholickCommamcn defended^
in tpkicb he ^are his Reafons to the World for Communkattn^ with ihe Farl(B
churches, and jujiifyd them againft Twelve Afgunienti of Dr. Owen's to the
contrary.

About this Time alfo was fuhliflid a ColieSliott of Cafes written f»
recover the Vijf enters to the Communion of the Church of England, which w-ai
afterwards Abridgd hy Mr Bennet of Cokhefter. Some haye windred tluit
this Colle£lion has not been difiinBly anfwefd. As to which I hare this t9
fay, that it ivas tnce intended to^haye return dan Anfwer tothem diftinlUyj^
and the Work was divided among feyeral Ferfons, but at length laid apde 5 not
up$n the Account of any peculiar difficulty that was found in ii^ but ^-
caufe it was tha^t partly needle fs, and partly unfeafonable.

Tbefe Cafes are 25 in Number-^ of whifh there are two^ viz. the I ^th atU
the I ythi the Cafe of Infant Baptifm, and the Perfwalive to frequent Com-
munion, that do not concern the Body of the Dijfenters. The ^th, ahoja
a Scrupulous Confcience, was anfwer'd long ago^ by Mr. Delaane, to his
Coji and Smart-i as the World well knows. The id and 5^, about Church
Communion, were anfwered by Mr. Nathaniel Taylor, in 1702 .* And the
l6th, about the Crofs in Baptifm, by Afr. James Pierce.

And he that needs an Anfwer to the refl, may find it In fome or other of
thofe numerous Trafls that hare been publifh'd by the Dtjfenters^ upon the fc
yeral Farts of the Controyerfy.

Thus if any Man thinks he wants an Anfwer to Dr. Scot, and Br. Claget
about Forms of Trayer, and about the Common Prayer, I recommend to him
tir. Collins'^ two Books about the Reafons why fome pious Nonconforming Mi-
ttiflen in England i?«4f^e it ftnful for them to perform their Minifierial A{is
in Fublick Solemn Prayer, by the prefcribed Forms of others, &c. in Anfwer to
2Pr. Falconer. If any Man wants an Anfwer to Cafe the lOth, <«Wf Scandal,
llet him read Mr. Samuel Clark'i Treat! fe of Scandal. And there is hardly
any one of the reft, but a fu^cient Anfwer to it may befoundj in Jome of the
nurmrous Writirgs of Mr Baxter on thefe Matters.

—1" January

566 The LIFE of Chap. XIV.

An. 1 584. January I (), Mr. Jcnl{ynsditdin Newgate, as did alfo
Mr. Bamvfield and Mr. {{alfh/oriy and feveral others in
other Prifons. And quickiy afcer dy*d King Charles
himfelf ; vi:[. on Februa y 6, i68t. Tho* he continued
the Profecution of the poor DiiTenters, yet they held
on their Meetings j heartily praying for his Peace and
Profperity : And at laft they were as much concern'd
at his Death, as any People in the Kingdom.

CHAR XIV.

Thdr Cafe in the Reign of King James the

Second,

Jin 48 ^ 1 "^ HAT the rigorous Ufage of the Dijfenters io
* ' ^' I the foregoing Reign was owing to Pofijh
-^ Counfels, they themfelves never doubted ; and
tho' fome were a long Time before they would fee or
at leaft own ir, yet it was a great Comfort to them af-
ter all their Sufferings, to find fuch Men as Bifljop
* See his StilUngfl^et at laft Openly acknowledging it. * They lit-
charre to ^^^ expedled better Treatment in this Reign, when
his deny, bare-fac'd Popery lifted up its Head among us ; but wife
in his p'ri- is that Providence which governs the World, which
ntary Fifi- ferves its own Ends, even by thofe very Things, where-
Mf*o«,p?g. by poor Mortals are moft difappointed. It is indeed
49* eno' to amaze any one, to obferve the Meafures of this

Reign, with their Confequences, whereby all Man-
kind were difappointed. The Church Party not only, ex-
pected to have the Diffenters wholly under their Feet,
but depended fo much upon their Merits in their
Adherence to the Duke in his Diftrefs, and his pofitive
Affurances, that they were very Secure, and tho*t the
Day their own : Put on a fudden found their All in fuch
Danger, that without new Methods their Religion and
Liberty was gone. The Diffenters expe£tcd not only
greater Rigours and Severities than before, butconclud-
ed ihey ftiould if it were polfible, be extirpated : \VTien
as, to their Altonilhment, they found themfelves eas'd
of their foregoing Hardlhips, and Courted and Carcfs'd,
by thofe who they knew would rejoice in their Ruin,

and

Chap. XIV. Mr. Richard Baxter, 367

and had left no Method unattempted in Order to it. w4». 1685,
The P/ipiils thought by raifing thofe who had been fo
long deprefs'd, to have inflam'd thena wish Revenge
againft their Brethren : to have widened the Animofi-
ties among Froteftants ; that they might all be thereby
rend red the more fure and fpeedy Sacrifice to their Ma-
lice and Cruelty 5 and hereby they did but drive the
contending Parties the nearer to each other, and
make them at laft the more vigorous in their united
Effort, to avert that common Ruin, which hung over
their Heads. So that all Parties were furpriz'd, and
found themfelves Miftakenj but an infinitely Wife God
over-ruFd all for Good *. * Th

late Com-
fitat Hi/iorian, Vol- 5. p. 445, repeating the whole foregoing Taragraph^
fays, That there is fome Difingenuity in this way of the Diflenters re-
prefenting their own Cafe. But let the World. Judge between us. We are
yery fenfthle^ 06 he fays, That the firft Defign of Popery was to have fee
the Church upon a vigorous SuppreOTion of Conventicles , and a fierce
Execution of the PjSnal Laws : But that when fo many of the Clergy feli
in with this Vejignt^ ^^^^y fhould he dlfappointed, and at laft he conyinc'd
that they were puUing down "Ruin on their own Heads, deferyes a Remark .'
And when Proyidence did appear for the Vijfenters, whateyer the Vefigns of
Agents were, I thinh they ought to take notice of it, and be Thankful,

It has indeed been Common, fince, to refleft upon the Vijfenters for their Cat'
riage in this Reign : But nothing can he more Unjuft. The worthy Author of
the Advantages of the prefent Settlement, and die great Danger of a Re-
lapfe, Printed in l6%g,,{To he feen in the Tirft Vol. of State Trafis in the
Reign of King William, P^ol. I. p. 26y.'] Declares, That the greateft Pare
of the Diflenters were fo fenfible of the mifchievous Defign on Foot, that
tho* they had fraarted fomewhat hardly under the lafh of the Penal Laws
but a little while before, yet they would rather venture the continuance
of them, than run the hazard of ruining the Subftance and Being of the
Froteftant Religion among us : Nor could all the Virulent Pamphlets
thrown about to exafperate them, by a Tragical Commemoration of their
former Suffering by the Penal Laws, ever perfwade them/o far out of
their Senfes, as not to be fully aflured that the little Finger of the Popilh
Inquifition, would be heavier upon them than the Loins of all the Penai
Laws made iince the Reformation againfi tliem. And indeed, to the Fi-
delity of that Party at that Critical Time, are we to afcribe a great
ihare of the difappointment the Popilh Party met with, who were
much chafed that the grand Cheat of the Tokiation had no be»:-
ter Succefs.

In

368 The LIFE of Chap. XIV.

jht. 1685. In the Rtrign of King 9^^wej the Second, which
Afr. Bax- began Februxry 6\\\. i68t, the fame Methods v<rere
ter'i 2V)<t/. continu'd tc firft as had been us'd in his Brothers

Time*. On the iS^h of Febru-
"^ThU may be a Troof of It, ''^A Mr. Baxter was Committed
that on May 27, the Common, Fo- ^O the Kjn^^-Bench Prifon, by my
ted that an Humble Addiefs lord Chief Juftice Jefferiess
fliould be prefented to his Ma- Warrant, for his Paraphrafe on
jetty, to delire him to Iflue forth the New Teftament, Printed a.
his Royal Proclamation, to caufo little before; which was call'd
the Penal laws to be put in a Scandalous and Seditious Book
Execution, againft all DilTenters againft the Government. On the
from the Church ot England ^^^ ^f ^^^^ ^hich was the fir^
^^^^^^^^^^- Day of the Term, he appeared in

Pf^effminjier Hall, and an Infor-
mation was ordered to be drawn up againft him. M47
the i4Th, He Pleaded not Guilty to the Information.
May the i8th, he being much Iridifpos'd, niov'd that
he might have farther Time given him for his Tryal,
, but it was deny'd him. He mov'd for it by his Coun-

cil ; but Jeffereys cries out in a Paifion, I mil not give
him a Minutes Time more to fnve his Life, fVe have had
(fays he) to do with other forts of Perfons, but now we
have a Saint to deal with ; and I l{now how to deal with
Saints ai well as Sinners. Tonder (fays he) itands
OATS in the Pillory^ fas he acftually did at that very
• Time in the New Palace- Yard ;) and he fays he fuffers
for the Truthy and fo fays Baxter ; but if Baxter did but
ft and on the other fide of the Pillory with him, I would fay
Two of the greatest B^gues and ^ifcals in the Kjngdom Stood
there. On M.'iy the 30th, in the Afternoon, He was
brought to his Tryal, before the Lord Chief Juftice
Jefferys at Guild-HalL Sir Henry Afhhurji, who could
not forfake his own, and his Fathers Friend, ftood by
bim all the while. Mr. Baxter came firft into Court,
and with all the Marks of Serenity _apd Compofure,
waited for the coming of the Lord GWlf Juftice, who
appeared quickly ^fter with great Indignation in his
Face. He, no fooner fate down, than a (horc Caufe
was Galfd and Try'd : After which the Clerk began
to read the Title of another Caufe. Tou Blockhead you
(Uys Jejferys) the next Caufe is between RICHARD
BAXTER and the Kfn^. Upon which Mr. Baxters
Caufe was Gall'd. The PafTiges mencion'd in the Im-

forntatioitv

Chap. XIV. Mr, R^ichard Baxter. ^^9

formation, were his Paraphrafe on M^^ 5. 19. Af/ir^ 9. -/f«. i6B$i
39. Marii ii.gl. Mail^. ii. 38, 39, 40- Lt^k^e lo; 1.
John 11. 57. and y^«.'?i 15. 2. Thcfe Paffages were
pickc out by Sir ^oger LBjirange^ and fome of his Gom«
panions. And a certain noted Clergy-man (who ihall
be namelefs) put into the Hands of his Enemies foir.e
Accufations out of B^m. i 3, ^c. as againft the King,
to "touch his Life, but no Ufe was made of thern.
The great Charge was, that in thefe feveral Paffages
he reflecfted on the Prelates of the Cnurch of England^
and fo was guilty of Sedition, &c. The King's Coun-
fel open'd the Information at large with its Aggrava-
tions. Mr. PVnlbp^ Mr* PVilUams, Mr. ^otherham^
Mr. Atvoood^ and Mr. Phipps^ were Mr. Baxter's Coun-
feJ, and had been feed by Sir Henry /Iflohurfl. Mr. Wal-
lop faid, that he conceiv'd the Matter depending being
a Point of Dotftrine, it ought to be referred to the Bi-
(hop his Ordinary : But if notj he humbly conceiv'd I
the Doctrine was innocent and juflifiabie, letting a fide:
the Innuendo's, for which there was no Colour, there
being no Antecedent to refer them to (i. e, no Bi-
fliop or Clergy of the Church o^ Englr.nd nam'd.j
He faid the Book accused, /. e. the Comment on th^
New Teftament, contained many Eternal Truths ; But
*they who drew the Information were the Libellers, in
applying to the Prelates of the Church of Englnnd^ thofe
fevere Things which were written concerning fome Pre-
lates, who deferv'd the Gharadters which he gave. My
Lord (fays he) I humbly conceive the Bifliops Mr. Br.x^
ter Speaks of, as your Lordihip if you have read Church
Hiftory muft confefs, were the Plagues of the Church,
and of the World. Mr. WnlL.p^ fays the Lord Chief
Juftice, ' I obferve you are in all thefe dirty Caufes :

* And were it not for you Gentlemen of the Long Robe^

* who Ihould have more Wit and Honefty, that fupporc
*-and hold up thefe Fadtious Knaves by the Chin^ we

* fliould not be at the Pafs we are.' My Lord, fatys
Mr. iVallop^ I humbly conceive, that the Paffages ac-
cus'd are natural Dedu£lions froni the Text. ' Yoii
' humbly conceive, ^^j JEFFEI^TS, and I humbly

* conceive : Swear him. Swear him.' My Lord fays he,,
lender Favour, I am Counfel for the Defendant, ind if
I underftand either L<inw or EngUfh^ the Informatiori
now bro't againft Mr, Baxter upon fuch a flight Grotind^

Bb i$

?70

The LIFE of Chap, XIV.

An. 163$. is a greater Reflection upon the Church of England^
than any Thing contain'd in the Book he's accus'd for.
Says Jcjfrers to him, ' Sometimes you humbJy Con-

* ceive, and fnmetimes you are very Pofirive: You

* talk of your Skillin Church Hiftory, and of your Un-

* deftMPding L^rm and Englifh : \ think I underftand

* fomething of them as well as you ; but in fhort

* muft tell you, that if you don't underftand your

* Duty better, llliall teach it you.' Upon which Mr. ff^4/-
!o^ fate down.

Mr. Smother dm urg'd that if Mr. Baxter's Book had
fharp Reflections upon the Church of f^ome by Name,
but fpake well of the Prelates of the Church of England,
it was to be prefnm'd that the iharp Refledlxons were
intended only againft the Prelates of the Church of
i^?wif. The Lord Chief fuftice faid, Baxter was an E-
nemy to the Name and Things the Offce and Perfons of Bi-
fhops. F(pt her am sidded, that B^AT^^r frequently attended
Divine Service, went to the Sacrament, and perfwadcd
others to do fo too, as was certainly and publickJy
known ,• and had in the very Book fo charg'd, fpoken
very moderately and honourably of the Bifliops of the
Church of England. Mr. Baxter added, my Lord, I have
been lo moderate withRefpedt to the; Church o( England,
that I have incurr'd the Cenfure of many of the DiJ] enters
upon that Account. ' B //XT£ i<^ for BiJliops, fays
' y E F FI^EYS^ That's a merry Conceit indeed. Turn
to it, turn to it.' Upon this B^theram turn'd to a
Place, where 'tis faid, * That great Refped: is due to
thofe truly call'd to be BiHiops among us : Or to that
Purpcje : Ay, fahh Jeflreys, This is your Presbyterian
Cant -^ truly calfd to be Bifhops; That is himfelf and
fuch B^afcals, caWd to be Bifhops of Kidderminfter, and
other fuch Places. Bifliops fet apart by fuch Fa-
dlious. Sniveling Presbyterians as himfelf : A Kjdder-
minfter Bifhop he means. According to the Saying of
a late Learned Author; and every Parifli (hall main-
tain, a Tithe Pig Metropolitan. Mr. Baxter hcgin-
rtiti'jto fpeak^ again ; fays he to him^ ^ichard^ I^ichard,
doft thou think we'll hear thcc Poifon the Court, Scc.
'' Pilchard., thou art an Old Fellow, an Old Knave;
■ thou haft written Books eno'to load a Cait, every one
as ftdl of Sedition (I might lay Trcalbn) as an Egg is
full of Meat. Hadft thou been whipp'd out of thy

' Writing

Chap. XIV, Mr. Richard Baxter. - 371

Writing Trade Forty Years ago, ic had been happy. ^«. 1585.

* Thou prerendcft to be a Preacher of the Gofpel of Peace,

* and thou haft one Foot in the Grave; 'tis Time forthee

* to begin to think what Account thou intendeft to give.
' But leave thee to thy Self, and I fee thou'lt go on as
'thou haft begun, but by the Grace of God, I'll look

* after thee. 1 know thoa haft a mighty Par:y, and I
' fee a great many of the Brotherhood in Corners, wait-

* ing to fee what will become of their mighty Donne,

* aiKi a Dodor of the Party {loc!{ing to Dr. Bates) at

* your Elbow, bur by the Grace of Almighty God, Til
' Crufhyou a!/.'' Mr.Hs^heram fizting down, Mr. Attwood
began to fhew, that not one of the PalTages mention d
in the Information, ought to be ftrain'd to that Senfe,
which was put upon them by the Innuendo's ; they being
more natural when taken in a milder Senfe ; Nor could
any one of them be apply^d to the Prelates of the
Church oi Engl end ^ without a very forc'd Conftradtion.
To Evidence this he would have read fome of the Texc :
But Jeffreys cried out, Ton fhaiit draw me into a Con-
venticle with your Annotations^ nor your Sniveling Per-
fan neither. My Lord fays Attwood^ I conceive this to

be exprefly within ^ofvpell's Cafe, lately before youu.
Lordfhip. Tou conceive^ fays Jeffreys^ you conceive amifs :
It is not. My Lord, fays Mr. At t wood, that I may ufe
the beft Authority, permit me to repeat your Lordfhips
own Words in that Cafe. No, y^u fhnnt^ fays ije.
You need not fpeak, for you are an Author already ;
the' you Speak and Write impertinently. Says Attwood^
I can't help thzi niV Lord, if my Talent be no better ;
but it is my Duty to do my beft for my Client. Jef-
freys thereupon went on, inveighing againft what Att-
wood had publilh'd : And Attwood jnftify'd it to be in
Defence of tht Engl ifjo Conftitution 5 declaring that he
never difown'd any Thing he had Written. Jeffreys
feveral Times ordered him to fit down ; but he ftill
went on. My Lord, fays he, 1 have Matter of Law
to off'^r for my Client ; and he proceeded to Cite feve-
ral Cafes wherein it had been adjudged that Words
ought to be taken in the milder Jsenfe, and not to be
ftrainM by Innuendo's. I4^ell, fays Jeffreys when he
had donf^, Tou have had your Sny, Mr. H^illiams and
Mr. Phipps faid nothing, for they faw 'twas to no
Purpofe. At length fays Mr. B.^x/t?- himfelfj my Lord,

B b ^ I

572 The LIFE of Chap. XIV.

An. J685. Irhink I can clearly A nfwer all that is laid co my
Charge, and I Ihalldo itbrielly.- the Sum is contain'd
in thcfe few Papers, to which 1 Ihail add a little by Te-
fliiDony. Rut he wculd not hear a Word. At length
the Chief Juftice fumin'd up the Matter in a long and
tul!onie Haranpue. * 'Tis notorioufly known (fayshe)

* there has been a Defign to ruin the King and the Na-

* tion. The Old (xame has been renewed : And this
*" has been the main Incendiary. He's as modeft now
*■ as can be : But Time was, when no Man was fo
*" ready at Bind your Kjvgs in Chains^ and your Nobles

* ;"// Fetters of Iron : And to your Tenti O IfracL Gen-

* tlemen, for God's fake don't let us be gull'd twice in

* an Age, ^c* And when he concluded, He told the
(uiy, that if they in their Confciences believed he
meant the Bifhops and Clergy of the Church of Eng-
landy in the Paflages which the Information referred to,
they muft find him Guilty : And he could mean no
Man t](e. If not, they muft find him not Guilty.
When he had done, fays Mr. Baxter to him, Do's your
Lordlhip think any Jury will pretend to pafs a Ver-
dict upon me upon fuch a Trial ? ' Til Warrant you,,^

* Mr. Baxter fays he ; don't you Trouble your Self a-
^ bout that.' The Jury immediately laid their Heads
together at the Bar, and found him Guilty. As be was

;oing from the Bar, Mr. Baxter told the Lord Chief
uitice who had fo leaded him with Reproaches, and
yet cominu'd them, That * a Predeceflbr of his, had

* had other Tho'fS of Him : Vpcn which he replied^
' Th/it there was not an Honeft Man in England, but

* what took him for a great Knave.' He had fub-
paera'd fcveral Clergy-men, who appeared in Court,
bit were of no Ufe to him, thro' the Violence of the
Chief jurtice. The Trial being over, Sir Henry A/h-
hurfi kd Mr. Baxter thro' the Crowd, ( I mention ic
10 his Honour ) and convey'd him away in his Coach.

On June the 29th following. He had Judgment given
againft him. He was Fin'd 500 Marks; to lie in Pri-
lon till he paid it : and be bound to his good Behaviour
for Seven Years,

The next Year the Diff enters were profccutcd in the

wonted Manner. Their Meetings were frequently

. diftuib'd boih in City and Country. Fines were levy'd

upon ihcm. The Informers broke in upgp Mr. Fleets

wood^

Chap. XIV. Mr. Richard Baxter. 57:5

rvooiJ^ Sir John Hartop, and feme others at Stol^e-Nevo- An. i6Z^.
ington, to levy DiftrefTesfor Conventicles^ ro Six or Seven
Thoufand Pounds, and many were excornnfiunicated,
and had Cnpiaffes ifTu d out againft them ; but parti-
cular Perf->ns, upon their making Application to thofe
above, were more favoured than had been ufuaJ.
A noble Set of Concroverfial Writings was now pub-
liflied by the Divines of the Church of England^ a-
gainft the Errors of the Church of l^me : And it muft
be owned, that they fignaHzed themfelves, and gained
in-T ntal Honour by their Performances. And if the
Diiienters did not appear fo generally, nor fo pubiickly
upon this Occafion, it may without much DifficuJty
be accounted for, by one that Confiders all Circum^ ^,
fiances *» „- » - 'l

Takes JCotice of it<, and freely infulti upon it^ That

while the Church of England Vhines were to fo good + Apparat. ai D fcnC
Turpofe ingag'd in this Controyerjy, the Nonconformifls Ecclef An„hc. p. 8s.
kept Silence^ and fetp^ if any of them durji come in

to their Affifiance^ againft the Common Enemy. jAnd fome others have us^d
like Language. But it jhould be confidefd that they had written a/^ain/l ths
Romanics yery freely before.^ and had the lefs Reafon to dq if at this Time :
That they did not find their People fo much in Danger, as many that n-ere
edutated in the Church of England / That they both in City and Country
preach" d with great Freedom againji Popery, wh'ch jhewd that if they wrote
lefs againji it than others, it did not arife from Tear : That many of them
tho't it not fo proper to attempt to tahe this Work out of the Bands of the Di-
\ines of the Church of England, 'who n:t only did it well, but who were
in Duty bound to do the more in Oppoftion to the Common Danger^ becaufe
they had done fo much to hajien and occafion it \ and wIjo fo rlfihly improy'd
in Light, and in the lavgnefs of their Jv'otions, by being necejjstated to fupport
fome Principles in thefe Debates, which they had flighted before, and feemed
willing to difcard : And Finally, that feyeral of the Dijfentcrs did at this
Time attempt to publi/h fome TraCls againji Popery, but met with Dif-
couragement when they fent them to the Prefs, becaufe they came from
fitch as vere not of the Church of England, who feem'd dejitom to ingrofs
the Managment of this Controyerfy at this Time wholly to litem fchi-s. Thi^
aUuatly was tlie Cafe as to fome Treatifes then wri'.ten by Nonconformifts ,-. jind
it need not feem firange, if this being generally known, jl^ould limder others
from making like Attempts . But a full Anfwer to this ObjeClion againji tl)e
Dijfenters^ may be feeninMr. Jong's Defence of Mr. Henry'j Notion of Schifm ,

The King's Difpenfing Power was at length the
Subjedt of much Difcourfe and Debate. But at laft
the Matter was thus determined by Eleven of the

B b 3 Twelve

574- The LIFE of Chap. XIV.

jin. 1^85. Twelve Judges, i. * That the Kings of England are
' Sovereign Princes. 2. That the Laws of England
' are the Kings Laws. 3. That the Kings of En^-
' land have the Sole Power of difpenfing with the
' Penal Laws in Cafe of Ncreiricy. 4. That the

* Kings of England are the Sole Judges of the Necef-

* iky of difpeniing with Penal Laws. 5. That the

* Kings of England do not derive this Power from

* the People, nor can on any Account or Pretence be
' lawfully deprived of it. 6. That the Kings of /i«^-

* land can never depart from this Prerogative.
Injunctions went out from feveral of the Bi(hops

under the Seal of their Offices, to all Minifters in
their Diocefles, ftridtiy to enjoin and require all
Church- Wardens to prefent thofc that did not come
to Church, or that receiv'd not the Sacrament at En-
per, Thefe Injundtions were publickly read in
Hertford/hire^ and Ejjex, and many other Places.
And it feem'd to be a prevailing Opinion, that the Pro-
tcfiant Dijfenters muft be profecuted, or l-'opery could
not be fupprefs'd. And therefore the Juries in fome
Places at the Aflizes this Year prefented it as their
Opinion, that unlefs the Dijfcnters were effe£lually
Profecuted, their Dangers could not be prevented
or remedy'd : Bnt the iinfeafonablenefs of fuch Ri-
gours, and the fcandalous Villanies and Perjuries of
. many of the molt Noted! Informers both in Ci-
ty and Country too, made fenfible Men foon
weary. .
71)6 Com- King James in Order to the carrying on his De-
miffion for figns the more fuccefsfully, sjranted an Ecckfiaflicf.l .
Ecclejiafti' Commiffion, which was dirciSed to the Arch-Bilhop
■>iljiffiUfs.Q{ Canterbury^ the Lord Chancellor, the BiJhops of
Durham and liochejhr^ the Earl of ^cheftsr Lord High
Treafurer, the Earl of S under land^ and the Lord Chief
Juftice Herbert ^ or any Three of them, whereof the
Lord Chancellor was always to be one, devolving
the whole Care of Fxcicfialtical Arfairs upon their,
!h thelargelt Extent th;it ever had been known in £w^-
hnd. They open'd their Commiflion on the Third of
.-luguf}^ and fettled the Method of Prorecding .- Buc •
the ComtnilTioners Names were feveral Times alccr'd.^
They began with fufpcndini; the Bilhi>p of Lc?uh)i, foe

not

Chap. XIV. Mr. Richard Baxter. 575

for not fufpending Dr^ Sharp upon the King's Com- An. 16^6 »
mand. They afterwards deprived and fufpended
Dr. Pencbel, Vice Chancellor of the Univerfity of C.i»a-
hridge^ and Head of Magdalen Colledge, for refufing to
admit one j^lhan Francis^ a Benedictine Monk, to the
Degree of Matter of Arts, without taking the Oaths :
And Dr. Hough the Prefidenr, and the Fellows of M^,g-
dalen Colledge in Oxford ; for not complying with the
Kings Mandate in the Elecilion of a Prefidenr. By
which Methods ail the Clergy in the Kingdom were
convinc'd, that the Papifts were coming to take Pof-
feflion. They made hereupon fuch Exclamations, as
plainly ftiew'd they were unable to bear a fmall Share
of thofe Severities themfelves, which had for a long
Time been fo liberally infli£ted upon others.

A Difpenfation or Licence Office was fet up this
Year, where all Comers might have Difpeniations,
paying only Fifty Shillings for themfelves and their Fa-
milies. Many of thofe who were profecuced as Cor-
venticlers, took out Difpenfations, which not only
flopp'd all ProcelTes that were commenced, but gave
ihem Libqrty to keep Meetings for the Future. Ma-
ny were released from their Imprifonment, and had
their Fines remitted by the Kings Pardons. Among
the reft, Mr. Baxter obtain'd his Pardon by the Me-
diation of the Lord Powis' His Fine was remitted,
and on Wednefday Kovember 24, Sir Samuel Aftrey
fent his Warrant to the Keeper of the Kings Bench
Prifon to difcharge him : But he gave Sureties for
his good Behaviour ; his Majetty declaring, ( for his
Satisfadion ) that it fhoald not in him be interpreted
a Breach of the Good Behaviour, for him to refide
in London^ which was not allowable according to
the Oxford AH ; and this was enter'd upon his Bail-
Piece ; 7. e. the Parchment in which his Bail was
given. Notwithftanding this, he continu'd fome Time
after in the Rules. And on February the 28th follow-
ing, removed to a Houfe he took in Charter-Hmfs-Tard.

March the i8th, the King acquainted the Council,
that be had determin d to IlTue out a Declaration for
a General Liberty of Confcience, to all Perfons of
what Perfwafion foever j which he was mov'd to, by
having obferv'd, * That altho* an Uniformity in Reli-
* gious Worlhip had been endeavour'd to be eftabiilh'd

B ,b 4 * within

57^ ^/^« LIFE ef Chap. y IV.

An. i585. ^ within this Kingdom, in the Succeffive Reigns of

* Four of his Predecefibis, aflifted by their Refpedive

* Parliaments, yet it had been ineffedtuaj ; that the

* Reftraint upon the Confciences of Diflenters in order

* thereunto, had been very prejudicial to ihis Nation,

* as was fadly experienced in the horrid Rebellion in the

* Time of his Royal Father ; that the many Penal Laws

* made againft DilTcnters in all the foregoing Reigns,

* and efpcci^lly in the Time of tbelate King, had rather

* increas'd than lelTen'd the Number of them : And that

* nothing could more conduce to the Peace and Quiet
of the Kingdom, and an increafe of the Number as

* well as the Trade of his Subjedts, than an intireLibcr-

* ty of Confcience, ^c* And thereupon, heorder'dthe
Attorney and Solicitor General, not to permit any Pro-
cefs to IfTue in his Majefty's Name, againfl: any Diffen-
ters vvhatfoever. The Declaration publilhed for this
Purpofe, boreDate //;?ri7the I ith, 1687.

An. i68y. The Difienters were not fo fond of hard Ufage, as to
refufe a Liberty fo freely offered them; nor did they think
it good Manners, to enquire too narrowly how that In-
dnlgence came about, fo long as they were fhelter'd by it
The Letter from Oppreflion. A Letter of Advice to them, was
of ^dyUe hereupon publifli'd by that accomplilh'd Statefman the
to a D'fen- Marquis of Ha/Iif^x, tho' without his Name. The Let-
fn. ter was written with a great deal of Artifice, with defign

to infinuate a twofold Caution ; That their new Friends
were to be fufpecfted; and that it would neither beChri-
ftianity nor Prudence to hazard the Publick Sa fety,either
by defire of Eafe or of Revenge. His Cautions were
regarded by the wifer Part of them, notwithftanding the
U|icertainty with what defign this Application was made
to them. As Thankful as they were for their Eafe and
Liberty, they were yet fearful of thelffue ; neither can
any Number of them of any Confideration, be charg'd
with hazarding the Publick Safety, by falling in with the
Meafurcs of the Court, of which they had as great a
dread as their Neighbours. And as for Revenge, tho'
they had a fair Opportunity for it, yet eould they not
think it a Thing dcfircable, either as Men or as Cbri-
ftian*;. If they over-did it in their Addreirt:s, ihey tho't
the High Church Party, who had been fo us'd to top-
ping Fiijrhts of Complcrrenr, when returning Thanks
for the DiiToiving one of the beft of Patliaments, had

Chap. XIV. Mr. Richard Baxter. 377

little Reafon to Refledt on them *. But 'they were not -^»* 1687-
many that could be Charg'd: Among the reft, Mr.
Baxter had no concern in Addrefiing ; but fet himfelf f ^^
ztI{utUnd'Houfe in Charter-Houfe-Tard, where he exer- ^'^^'^^ ^*'*
cis'd his Miniftry in ConjuncStion with Mr. ^y^^^^^W^^Jd'*^ -
to make a peaceable Improvement of the Liberty afford- dertake to
cd, fp as to do all the good he could without Offence vittdkatc
to any. The like did his Brethren in other Places, and aE the Ad-
therefore they waited in expedtation of feeing the dieifes that
Effedls of the Marquelfes Declaration on behalf of the "^ere made
Church Party ; That all their former Haughtinep (they h Diflen-
are his own Words) towards the Dijfenters was for ever ^^^^ ^fi^*"
extingulflodi and that the Spirit of Perfecution was turnd ^^'*' ^*^<?*'-
into a Spirit of Peace, Charity and Condefcenfjo» ; that the ^* ^"* ^
Church 0/ ENGLAND TP^ convinced of its Error in J^^'^^f ^j .
being fevere to them; and all thinl{ing Men were come to a ^ , ^'^
General Agreement, no more to cut ourfelves f>ff f^om the ^j^^ qi f
Proteftants Abroad, hut rather inlarge the Foundations^ of Enghnd
upon which vpe are to 'Build our Defences again§i the Com- fljouU
mon Enemy, tread foftly

when they
lay them to their Charge 5 confidefing that fome of the Church Men cottcurr'd
with King James to oyerturn the Legal Efiabli/hment : And fome dignify d
Perfons were in his High Commijjion, and found it no eafy Thing to wipe off
B.efleCiions upon that Account. Horverer, though there were high Plights in
fome of the Vijfenting Addrejfes^ for which I could be loath to Apologize ;
that which moji of them run upon, was Thanh to the King for the Liberty
they had^ and a Fromife to beha-ve themfehes quietly in the Ufe of it.

Among other Methods that were now taken for the ThefaUad-
promoting of Popery, this was one. Mr. Obadiah^^f^^P °f
iVall^er^ who was Maf^er of Univerfity Colledge 'm^^^^^^h Tro-
Oxon , kept a Particular Prefs at Work in the "I'f" '' '^
Colledge, upon feverai Popifh Books, that were to be ^'-y^"^^*"-
fprcad all through the Nation. Some Gentlemen of
the Univerfity of Oxford , (whofe Names could be
mentioned if there were Occafion) were earneftly de-
firous to get the Sheets from the Prefs as faft as they
were Printed, that they might have Anfwers ready to
his Books as foon as ever they came out, and an An-
tidote at Hand, to prevent the mifchievous Effeds of
the Poifon that was vented. This was no eafie Matter
to compafs; and various Methods were thought of that
would not Anfwer. Ac length they fenc to one E.J^

who

978 The LIFE of Chap. XIV.

An. 1685. who could not but approve the Defign in oppqfition to
Popery, and did undertake to give what Alliftance he
could ; And he adliially did help them to a great many
.Sheets, which he got from a Boy that attended Mr. I4^al'
i{e/s Prefs. By this means the Sale and fpreading of
the Popifli Books was very much prevenicd ; for there
were .Anfwerr. 10 tliem out, as foon as the Books them-
felves,or before, which was no fmall Service. hixM^'nU
\cr was a. great while before he could difcover how
this came about: But watching narrowly, he found out
that this Boy deliverd the Sheets to this E. J. who he
fuppos'd was empioy'd by the Gentlemen coiKcm'd,
and upon the Secret. Hereupon he was taken up, and
carried before feveral Juftices who were unwilling to
meddle in the Matter, but being brought before Sir Ed-
iward py^iikjir, he was for committing him. E. J. fenc
notice to the Gentlemen with whom he had been con-
cern'd, how it was with him, and delir'd their Dire£ti-
on. They fenc him Word that if he would conceal
them, and not let it be known who had the Sheets, they
would make him an abundant Amends if ever Prote-
* When iiant Times came again*} and the McfTenger aifur'd
Protertanr

Times aftefvardi did come a^ain, in the Re/>w cf Kin^ WILLIAM and
J^een MARY, thit poor Man had occafion to remind thcfe Gentlemen of
their Promife. Vnr it f) happen d-, that there rva^ a difference hctvpeen
Mr. Guy and Mr. Parker, {to tphom thu E. J. »r** a Seryant^ about the
Trefs, and they were g^'ittg to Laxp •, but at length they came to an Agree*
ment:^ and Mr. Guy and Mr. Parker left the Prmting-Houfe, which was
ict to the Company of Scationers :^ and one Article of the Agreement vrasj
that the Company were to employ all the Old Servant<, and certain Gentlemen
of the Univerjity {among whom were the yery Gentlemen whom thii E. ]. had
done fuch Service to^ and that with fuch haz,ard to himfelf and fuch Pro-
.fnifcs of A requital) were made Deltgates for Printings and who they pleaid
'Were employ d and no other. Hereupon, he apply d to them with great Ex-
■'jii^Atiom: Vi hich were unhappily jrufirated^ when they came to underftand
■he wa! a Dijfenter. He made itfe of others, and particularly of a Friend
jfifjo had before been his Bail, rvho gave them to underftand that he
<9as no other Man than he wa^y when he at ih:ir d^flre had c.ypos'd hlmfelf
to net the Sheets for their Seryice, but this would not do. He made ufe cf
V)r. W'allis rf> an Htercejfor. It was injificd on that he mufi be recommended
by the Varfon of hit Partfl). He wa<- offended with him bccaufe he did not
SaptiT.c his Children: But 1)0weycr he applied to him, and he rcfusdto'
recommend him becaufe he was a Vijf?nter. At length it was put to the
f'^te amongfl all thoft concern d in the Management of the Affair, whether

hhn

Chap. XIV^ Mr. Richard Baxter. 379

him they were Men of Honour, and therefore tho' he ^«- 16&7.
Aifferd for the Caufe, he might depend upon their j r
eiving him Sarisfacftion. Whereupon, he fent them a „'* -'^/i^'^
Promile that he wonld conceal tnem, whatever ^^ jfjould he
might foff-r. Being afterwards carried before Mr. Obn. ^^^^ ^^^
diah PJ/alker himfelf, he offer'd him if he would let to this poor
him know to whom he convey 'd the Sheets when he Man^andhe
receiv'd them, be would not only difcharge, but con- be alhwd
liderably Reward him, and not only give him Money, to keep his
but help him to a Place in the Univerfity that might be ^i^ce^ or U
for his Life: But he refus'd. Upon which he tbreaten'd f^^»^ off
him; and Sir VViUinm boqnd him over to the Affizes,-^"/" ^
and he gave in Bail. Before the time of his Appearance , 'J^. '^
came, Judge HoUovoay fent for him, (having Obndiah ^j^^
Walker with him) and attempted one while to wheedle Yean and
him wirh fair PrQmifes, and then to fright him with y^ /Jj). ^^
Threats to make a Difcovery: But he remain'd im* pnft for
moveable : And upon his Appearance he was clear'd. Irmfelfani

his nume-
rous Tamily^ tho' all the refi of- the Servants were continud in. The Matter
was warmly debated.^ and he had fame that pleaded for him., hut the Majonity
were againfi him., for this only Reafon^ that he was a Dijfenter : Thus., after
as great Obligations as a Man of his Eankj could lay on thofe that were fo
much his Supcrion^ and after as fair Promifes ai could be made^ and after
keeping him Two Tears in fuj^er.ce^ the poor Man was left deflifute^ and.
pr'jy'd a ftanding Evidence of the uncertainty ajxd fallacioufnefs of High
Church Promifes. For tho' he afjijled to flem the Tide of Popery when it was
■ coming in like a Floud., yet he might have Jlary'd, for being a Diffettter^ jf
God had not provided for him.

Mohlieur Dkkvelt who had been fometime here as
Agent for the Dutch (I am not certain under what
Charadter) had his Audience of Leave, on Mny the 20th.
The King told him, that he doubted not but that he
fhould have the Prince of Orange*s Approbation for the
taking off the Penal Laws and Tefts ; and would have
him to acquaint the Prince therewith. DickveU reply'd,
that he was bound to acquaint the Prince with his Ma--
jefties Command, and would do fo j but he did under-
ftand fo much of the Princes Senfe, that he was bold
to fay, he was not of that Opinion. Dickvclt carry 'd
ic like a Confiderablc Starefmen, and vigoroufly purfu'd
ine Interefts of the States, and of the Prince of Orange^
He gave ^\\ polTible Aliurance to all that he Conversed

vvith^

580 The LIFE of Chap. XIV.

jin^ i 578. with, of the Princes firm and fetled Refolution to
fland up in oppolkion to Popery, and the Defigns of
France, and to Promote and Maintain the true reform'd
Protejlunt Religion, agiinft all Oppofition. He alfo
Privately gave great Airarance to the Nonconformifts,
that they IhoiiJd find Refpeds from that Prince when
opponunity offet'd^ and that they might be fadsfi'd,
he was no Friend to Rigour and Sev erity in Religious
Matters, but a great Friend to Liberty of Confcience.

The King finding that all his Meafures would be in-
evitably broken, if the Penal Laws and Tcfts were
not taken otf, by means of which, his Friends Rood
continually expos'd, refolv'd to leave no Method un-
attempted, that might Contribute towards his reaching
this Defign. The gaining the Concurrence of the next
Heirs, would have been a very plaufible Piet with the
moft averfe ,• and therefore not refting fatisfi'd with
Dicl^veir's Declaration, he refolv'd to try the Prince and
Princefs of Orange, and be f jjly certify *d of their Senfe
andliKlination. To that end he employed Mr. James
Stuarty who wrote a Letter to Penfionary Fagel, who was
one in whom the Prince put an entire Confidence, and
with whom Mr. Stuart pretended to no fmall Intimacy :
The Prince and Princefs were fo averfe to medlmg, thar
it was a long time before they would allow the Pcnfi-
onary to make any Reply upon fo touchy a Point; fo
that Mr. Stuart by Order wrote feveral Letters before
he receiv'd any Anfwer. At laft it being Induftriouily
fpread Abroad, that the Prince and Prmcefs agreed with
the King in the Defign of taking ofif thole Laws which
the Nation look'd upon as their main Security; and
this being made ufe of as an Argument to bring others
to a Compliance, the Prince and Princefs tho'c it ne-
ceflary for their own Vindication, to allow the Pcnli-
onary to make a Reply, and difcover their Tnie and
Real Senfe of the Matter. Accordingly that Wife Mi-
P ^ nilter of State Fagel^ in a Letter from the Hague, bear-
Fapcls'j ^"^ Date November 4 this Year, knt Mr. Stuirt Word,
Letnr. ^^^^ ^"^^ ^^ %^^^ ^^"^ ^° underftand that his Letters
were Written with the Kings Knowledge and Allow-
ance, he would therefore deal very plainly with bim
in the Matter and without referve : And thereupon he
proi eeds to tell him, ' That it was the Opinion of the
* Piincc and Princefs, that no Chriftian ought ro be Per-

' fecuted

Chap. XIV. Mr, Richard Baxter. 38 1

fecuted for his Confcience, or be ill ufed becaufe h^An. 1687-
differs from the Fublick and Eftablifh'd Religion :
And therefore that they could Confenr, that the Pa-
pifts in England, Scotland and [reldnd^ ihouldbc fuffer'd
to continue in their Religion, with as n:iuch Liberty
as is allow'd them by the States of HoUnnd ; in which
they enjoy full Liberty of Confcience. And that as
to the Dijfrntersy iheir HighneflVs did not only Con-
fent, but did heartily approve of their having an en-
tire Liberty for the full Excrcife^of their Religion,
without any trouble or hindrance; fo that none may
be able to give them the leaft difturbance upon that
Account; and that their Highneffes were ready to
Concur to the Setling and Confirming this Liberty,
and Protect and Defend it, and likewife to Confirm
it with their Guarantee, which Mr. Stuart had men-
tioned. And that if His Majefty defit'd their Con-
currence in Repealing the Penal Laws, their High-
nefles were ready to give it, provided thofe Laws
ftill remain'd in force, by which the Roman Catho-
Jicks were excluded out of bothHoufes of Parliament,
and out of all Publick Employments, Ecclefiaftical,
Civil and Military, and likewife thofe other Laws
which Confirm the ProteHmt Religion, and which
fecure it againft all the Attempts of the Roman Ca-
tholicks ; But that their HighnelTes could not agree to
the Repeal of the Te!t^ and thofe other Penal Laws
laft mentioned, that tend to the Security of the Pro-
teHnnt Rehgion ; fince the Roman Catholicks receive
no other prejudice from thefe, than the being exclu-
ded from Parliament and Publick Employments.
And that they believed they fhould have much to An-
fwer to God for, if the Confideration of any prefent
Advantage, fhould carry them to confent to Things,
which they believed, would be not only Dangerous
but Mifchievous to the Proteilant Religion.* By which
full Declaration, the Court was much difappointed,
many ftaggering Perfons confirm'd, the Church Party
reviv'd, and the Diflenters comforted, in Hope the
Liberty they had obtain'd was like to prove Lafting.
And yet the f 'ing went on, Clofeting Lords and Com-
unons, and all Perfons that had any Places of Profit or
Truft, ufing fuch Arguments as were mofl: likely to
prevail for a Compliance; Many were dilplac'd up-
on

382 Tie LIFE of Chap.XlV-

Jin. 1587. on their Refufal, anJ fucceedcd by others that appcar'd
more Pliable; which did but heighten the General
DilFacisfacftion of the People, to fee themfelves like to
be gull'd out of their main Security. About this time,
Commiflioners were appointed by the King, and fcntinto
thc{e\.'eral Counties of Enghmd^ to enquire what Mo-
ney or Goods had been Levy'd up^on Di(]cnters upon
Profccurions for RecuLancy, and not paid into the Ex-
chequer. Many were afraid of being call'd to an Ac-
count ; and it was commonly apprehended, that a
ftrivft Enquiry would have caufed great Confufion.
Here the Dijfemers had a fair Opportunity of being re-
reveng'd on niany of then bitterefl
"^ I fl)ould haye thought this Enemies*; But they generouQy
wjv/jt haye defcrv'd the Notice pafs'd all by, Upon the Promifes
of or.e vfJyo fets up for a Com- and i^flurances that were given
pleac Hiftorian. them by leading Perfons both of

the Clergy and Laity, that no fuch
Rigorous Methods Ihould ever be us'd towards them
for the time to come, but that they might depend' upon
t There great Temper and Moderation for the futuref .

VTas a lorm

of Trayer appointed by hit Majefiys fpecial Command^ to he u^d in London
and Ten Miles round it^ on Sunday the lyh of January, and throughout
England on Sunday the l^th of the Jame Alonthy 1687, &c. in behalf of
the Kin<r^ the i)ueen^ and the Royal Family, upon occafion of the Queens being
tffith Lhil4-. — Tuyere are thefe Exprejfons. — BlelTtd be that good Pjovi-
dcnce wliich has vouchrifcd us fieCli liopes of Royal lifue by our Gracious
Qiittn Mary. ScrengchtnHev we befeech thee, and pevfeft wliat tlioii haft
beg-Ill : Comnvand thy Holy Angels to watch over Her continually, and
dercnd Her from all Dangers and evil Accidents, that what flie lias Con-
<:f>ivd may be happily brought forth, to the Joy of our Sovereign Lord
the Kir>g, the further Eftabliiliment of his Crown, the Happinefs and
Welfare of the wliole Kingdom, and rhs Glory of thy great Name, (ire.
Had roe poor Dijfenters been ob/igd to Ufe fuch a form, upon fuch an Occa-
[ton, we fhould have thought it a great Hardjhip. if fuch Things dont
ijuicken our 'I hunls for our Liberty^ ve are much to blame.

That the fnrcr way might be made to the Eftab'ilhing
an Univerfal Toleration by Adl of Parliament, Changes
were made in all the Corporations in the Kingdom, and a
certain lort of Men calfd f^^^^uintors^ who Wltc Perfons-
of mean Fortunes and Abilities, but gre,it forwardncfs
^ere fent intu all Parts to cxamin* Mens Opinions,
They that would promife to ufe then IiiicrL-ft in Eltdi-

Chap. XIV. Air. Richard Baxter. 583

ons, to bring infucb into the Parliament as would com- Aft. idSy-
ply with the King's Defigns, were prefer'd as Mayors,
Aldermen, (^c. which was proposM as an Effed:ual
Method to reach his End. But this was fo Grols^ that
the Managers became Contemptible, and few Men of
any Reputation would have any Concern with them.
On the 17th of April, the King renew'd his Declaration -Aft- 1688,
for Liberty of Confcience, with fome Additions, and a -^^'^ ^^^^
Promife to get it eftablifh'd by Aa of Parliament. declaration

On the 4th of May, an Order was pafs'd in Coun-^^ Liberty,
cil, that the Declaration of Indulgence fliould be Read
in all Churches and Chappels in the time of Divine
Service, in and about London on the lOth ar.d 27th of
that Month ; and in all the reft of Erjgland and fVales
on the 3d and loth of June following ; and that all the
Bilhops in their refpedive Dioceffes, fliould take Care
to have the Order Obey'd. The Refufers were to he
profecuted by the Ecclefiaflical Commiflioners. The
whole Body of the Clergy refus'd (very few excepted)
and fo were all liable to be Ejeded. Seven Bilhops in- 7-/,^ sijhp
terpos'd, and waited upon the King to give him the Teuti^n.
Reafons of their Refufal, to Difperfe or Read his Decla-
ration. They were, Dr.Sandcroft, Archbilhop of C/jk-
terbury^ Dr. Floyd, Bifliop of St. Afaph, Vr, K^nn, Bilhop
oiBath^ndfVells, Dr. Turner, Bilhop of £/y, Di. L^k^e,
Bifhop of C/;;c/?eiffr, Dr.fV/jite, Bi(hopof^ Peterborough,
and Sir Jcnathnn Trelaxvny, Bilhop of Bristol, They
deliver'd to the King in his Clofer, a Petition in behalf
of themfelves and their abfent Brethren; (hewing, thnt
their' unvoillingnejl did not proceed from any want of Duty
and Obedience t» His Majeky^ nor from any want of due
Tendernefs to Diffenters, in Relation to whom they
were willing to come to fuch a Temper, as (lionld be
tho't fit, when that Matter Ihould be Confider'd and Set-
led in Parliament and Convocation*: But among a '>' The

Bif/jofj of
Lincoln (Dr. Wake) in hit Speech in the Hovfe of Lords ^ with Relation
to the Articles agaitt/i Dr. Sacheverel, fays, that Dr. Sancroft then Archhi-
pop of Carueibiiry, forefecing fome fuch ReyJution as foon after K^as hap-
pily brought about, began to conjtder how utterly unprepar'd they had ieen at
the Reftorai'ion of King Charles the Second to fettle mar.y Things to the Ad-
y ant age of the Church-^ and toha*: a happy Opport unity had been loft ^ fgr
vant of fuch a preylotii (are, as he was tl)erefore deJiroH^ P}ould fintp bt ta-
ken, for the better and more perfefi E/^abliJhment of it. And he at th^

grea.i

384 The LIFE of Chap. XIV.

An. \ 6%^. great many ether Cofifiderations y froyn this ejpccially^ bc
caufe thnt D;clnrntion Wtii founded npoti fuch a Dijpenfing
Came Time Power^ as had often been declared Illegal in Parliament ,
yeas, for ^nd TV as a Matter of fo great Moment and Confcquence to
cnnjiderin<r the whole Nation^ that they could not in Prudence ^ Honour
vshatmi£ht or Cotifcience, fo far mal^e themfelvcs Parties to it, at the
he done to Diflribution of it all over the f\jngdomj and the folernn
^am the Publication of it even in Gods Hctife^ and in the time of
Diflenters, Diq^ine Service, mujl amount to in Common and R^eafonable
without do- ConflruBion^ Sc Hereupon they were Imprifon'd in
tnganyfre- ^j^^ Tower, indidted of an high Mifdemeanor, and
^L ^T ^^ 1 Try'd at the Kincs Bench Bar, but Acquitted, and that
The Scheme ^^^° Univerlal Acclamations.

rfas laid

out, and the federal Tarts of it iPere committed, not only with his Approba-
tion, but Dire^lion to fuch Di-pinet of the Church as were thought moft proper
to he itttrujied with it. His Grace took one Tart tohimfelf:, Another was
committed to Dr. Patrick afterwards Bifhop of Ely. And the reviewing of
the daily Service and the Communion Book was referrd to a feleB Number
of Divines, of whom Dr. Sharp, (afterwards Archbifhop of Yorkj and
Dr. Patrick were two. The Dejign was to improve and inforce the Difcipline
of the churchy to review and tnlarge the Liturgy, by correEling of fome
Things, and aiding of others ; and (if it fhould be thought advi fable by
Authority, when this Matter P)ould come to he Legally confider'd, firjl in
Convocation then in Parliament, j by leaving fome few ^Ceremonies, con-
fejs'd to be indifferent in their Natures^ ai indifferent in their Ujnge, fo as not
neccjfarily to be obferv'd by fuch as jhould make a Scruple of them. And
he intimates that this good Defijn was known to, and approved by the other
Bijhfjps, who joind with the Archbijhop in thU Petition ; and that this Faf-
fai^e in their Petition referrd to it. And in proof of it he quotes a Treatife
fublickly Written, in the beginning of King William's ^.eign, Licenfed by the
Earl of Shrewsbury, (Entituled, A Letter to a Member of Parliament in
favour of the Bill for Uniting Troteflants) in which there is this Pajfage,
«— No Alteration is intended but in Things declar'd to be alterable by
the Church itfelf. And if Things alterable be aker'd upon the Grounds
of Prudence and Charity, and Things defective be fupplied, and Things
abufed be reftored to their proper Ufe, and Things of a more ordinaiy
Compofition revifed and improv'd, whilft the Dod^rinc, Cover nmentj
and M^orfhip of the Church remain intire, in all the Subftantial Parts
of them ; we have all Reafon to believe, that this will be fo far from
injuring the Church, that on the contiary it will receive a great Be-
nefit by it.

While

Chap. XIV. Mr. FLichard Baxter. ' 585

\While the Billiops were under ch is Profecotion, the^»' 1628-
iVrchbilhop fent certain Articles to his Clergy through
his whole Province, bearing dace 'J-f-tly 16. The Eleventh
of which Anlcles was in thefe Words. That they alj^
walk in \4^ifdom towards them who are not of our Commu"
nion : And if there be in their Parjjhes any fuch, that they
negled: not frequently to confer with them in the Spirit of
MeekneJJy feekjng by all y^ood Ways and Weans to gain and
win them over to^ our Communion. More ejpecially, that
they have n very tender Regard to our

Brethren \ the Proteftant Dijfen- -k 5.^^ ^j^^ Bi/7)op of Lincoln's
tersi That upon Occafion offer' d^ they Charge to the Clergy of hit Vlocefe,
vijjt them at their Houjes^ and re- in his Primary Vifttation, be-
ceive them l^indly at their own^ and gun at Lincoln, May the 20th,
treat them fairly wherever they ^706. Appendix j jr«w. 6,
meet them; perfwading them if it ^«^ *^^^ Bijho^ <feSt. Afaph
maybe, to a full compliance with our '''^'""S f''»* ^'^J rMge, injm
Churchi orattheleafi, that where- ^l^'^' [' '^" ^^M f f!''''
unto we have already attained, we ^J'^efetnnio.m^thspmt
„ II I ^} / r» V J J\ote upon it. From this Paf-

may all walk by the fame P,ue, and ^ ^^ ;,. ^^^ ^^.^.

mmd the fame Thing. And jn Or^ Reader will I believe cpn-
der thereunto y that they ta\e all ^lude, tliat Archbilliop San^
Opportunities of ajfuring and con- croft thought both the Diiren-.
vincing them, that the Bifhops of ters at Home, and the Vrote-^
thvs Church are really and fincerely f ants Ahvozd, to be Chriftians
irreconcilable Enemies to the Errors^ at leaft.
SuperJiitionSf Idolatries^ and Tyran-
nies of the Church of Rome ; and that the very unkjnd
Jealoufies which fame have had of us to the contraryy
were altogether groundlefl. And in the Ufl Place^ thai ^
they warmly and most affeclion^tely exhort them to join,
with m in daily firvent Prayer to the God of Peace^for^
nn ^ZJniverfal Bltjfed IJnion of ; all Reformed Churches
both at Hjme and Abroad, againil our Common Ene-
mies, 8cc.

The Ecclefiaftical Commiflioners on the i6th of \
AuguH, fent forth their Mandates to the Chancellors,"
Arch-Deacons, £^c. of every Diocefe in England,^'
to mjike Enquiry? and fend them an Account, v;^here.
and by whom the Kings Order about Reading the
Declaration had been Obey'd, and where not, that
fo all that had negledted it, might be fi?verely Pu-,
uifti'd. This would have made moft woful; Havockj

^c all

^86 ' The L IFt of Chap. XIV,

jlfu 1 688. all over ihe Kingdom, had not the Approaching Re-
volution put an efFedual ftop. But it was not long
before a Rumour began to Tpread, that the Prince of
Ornuge was coming with a Potent Army and Fleet
from HoUnnd, to rcfcue the Nation from Popery and
Slavery. The King gave Publick Notice of it by a
Declaration Dated the 4th of Oclober- Upon which
the Meafures of the Court were entirely broken, the
BiHr^p of London s Sufpenfion was taken off, the Ec-
clefiaftical GommiiTion dilTolv'd, the City Charter
reftoiM, and ether Illegal Sentences revers'd, all which
was faid to be done out of the Kings meer Grace and
Favour: But all the World knew a more Subftantial
Reafon. The Bilhops waited upon the King whith
their Advice, which they drew up in "Writing; and
among otlier Things, advis'd His Majefty, to IJfue out-
iViits far a Free nnd Regular Parliament^ in which the
Church of England might be fecur'd according to the AB
of V^iifcrmity, Provifion made for a due Liberty of
Confcience, The Liberties and Properties of the Subject
fecur'd^ and a good Vnder^anding obtain d between His
Mqeiiy and his People, Great Notice was taken of
their fo freely mentioning the Diifentcrs, both in their
Petition, and in this Advice. A Writer of that time,

* thus Expreffes himfelf upon
* An Account of the late the Occafion of it. ' I do af-

Tropofali , of the Archbijhop ' fure you, and I am certain I
nf Canterbury, with fome 0- * have the beft Grounds in the
ther Bip)opi to his Majefty^ in ' whole World for my Affurance,
a Letter to M B. Lfq-, ' that the Bilhops will never ftir

* one Jot from tljpir PETI-

* T I O N ; but that they will whenever that happy
' Opportunity Ihall offer itfelf, Jet tTie Proteftant Dif-

* fentcrs find, that they will be better than their Word
The Arri-* 8^^^" ^" ^^^^^ famous PETITION.* On the 5th

ya/ of the of November^ the Prince of Orange Landed at Torbay
Prince of in thc County of Devon, In his Declaration which
Orange. wa<? Dated at the Hagtie, Ofiober the lotb, in which
he gave an Account of the Reafons of his Expediti-
on into England^ he alfares the World, ' That he
' earned upon no other Defign, but to have a Free and

* Lawful Parliament AlTemblcii as foon as was poffiblc;

* that none might be fuffcr'd to choofe or to be cho-
- ~ ■ -fen

Chap. XIV. Mr. Richard Baxter. 587

ii — ■ — — - — —————^— —————— — ' I ^

' fen Members, bin fuch as were Qualify 'd by Law, ^^. 1588.

* and that being lawfully Chofen, they mighc Meet

* and Sit in full Freedom; that fo the Two Houfes

* might Concur in the preparing fuch Laws, as they

* upon full and free Debate (hould judge NecefTary

* and Convenient, both for the confirming and exe-

* curing the Law concerning the Teft, and fuch othec
$ Laws as were neceffary for the Security and Main-

* tenance of the Proteftant Religion; as likewife
' for making fuch Laws as might Eftablilh a good

* Agreement between the Church of England and

* all Proteftant Diffenters, C^c* The Body of the
Nation heartily fell in with the Prince, and a mighty
Revolution was brought about without Blood-lhed.
Intereft wrought a Change in Mens Opinions.
They that always condemn'd the Principles of ta-
king up Arms in Defence of Liberty and Property,
now thought it both Lawful, highly Laudable and ab-
folutely Neceffary. But one hardship they were un-
der at the Time of the Revolution, which was a fen- .
fible Conviction to many, of the great Inconveni-
ence of being under a Confinement to particular
Forms in Divine Worlhip; while they privately
Fray'd for the Prince of Orange's Profperity, they
were forc'd in Publick to Pray according to the Li-
turgy, that God would be the Defender and Keeper of
King Jnmes^ and give him Vid:ory over all his Enemies.
But God to the unfpeakable Comfort of the Nation,
prefer'd their Private Prayers, before thofe that were
Publick.

The Prince came to St. James'son December the i8rh:
And, on the One and Twentieth following, a few of*
the Diffenting Minifters waited upon him, together
with the Bilhop of London^ Congratulating him up-
on bis Glorious Expedition, and its Happy Succefsj
and the Biihop lignify'd to his Highnefs, that there
were fome of their Diffenting Brethren with him^
who herein were intirely of the fame Senfe with
the Clergy of the Eftablifli'd Church. But on the Se-
cond of January^ thfe Diffenting Minifters in a Body^'
to the Number of Ninety or upwards, attended the
Prince at St. James's, and were inttoduc'd by the
Earl of Dtvovjhire^ the Lord l^^jarton^ and the Lord

^88 The LIFE of Chap. XlV.

.'-^t kViltfhire, Ic was figmfy'd to bis Highnefs, by one in
the Name of all the reft.

" That they profefs'd their grateful Senfe of his
** Highneircs hazardousand Heroical Expedition, which
" the Favour of Heaven had made fo furpnzingly Pro-
** fperous.

" That they efteem'd it a Common Felicity, that the
*' Worthy Patriots of the NobiUty and Gentry of this
*'■ Kingdom, had Unanitroully concur'd unto His
" HighnelTes Defign; by whofe moft prudent Ad~
*^ vice, the Adminiftration of Publick Affairs was de-
" yolv'd in this difficult Conjundure, into Hands
*^ which the Nation and the World knew to be apt for
*' the grcateft Undertakings, and (o fuitable to the prc-
" fent exigency of our Cafe.

" That they promis'd the utmoft Endeavour, which
** in rheir Stations they were capable of affording,
** for the promoting the Excellent and moft defirable
*' Ends for which his Highnefs had declared.

" That they added their continual and fervent
" Prayers to the Alqyghty, for the Prefervation of
" his Highneffes Perfon, and theSuccefs of his Future
** Endeavours, for the Defence and Propagation
" of the Proteftant Intereft throughout the Chriftian

" That they fhould all moft willingly have cho-
.** fen that for the Seafon of paying this Duty to his
'* Highnefs, when the Lord Bilhop and the Clergy of
*""* London attended his Highnefs for the fame Pur-
*''pofe, (which fome of them did, and which his
^' Lordfhip was pleas'd condefcendingly to make
" mention of to his Highnefs, ) had their Notice
** of that intended Application beenfo early, as to make
*^ their more general Attendance pofTible to them at
" that Time.

" That therefore though they did now appear in a
^' diftindl Company, they did not on a diftindk Account,
'* but on that oi)ly which was Common to them, and to
*' all Protcstnnts.

" That there were . fome of Eminent Nbte,
" Vw'hom Age or prcfenT Infirmities hindred from
" coming with them, yet they concurr'd in the
*- fame grateful Senfe of our Common Delive-
" rtnce.

Hir

Chap. XIV. Mr. Richard Baxter. 389

His Highnefs received them favourably, and r(- An. 168-?.
fur'd them, * That he came on Purpofe 10 De-
^ fend the Proteftant Religion, and that it was his

* own Rehgion, in which he was born and bred ;

* The Religion of his Country, and of his Ance-
' ftors: And that he was refolv'd by the Grace of

* God, aJways to adhere to it, and to do his

* utmoft Endeavours for the Defence, of ic, 1

* and the promoting a firm Union among Prote-

* ftants.

There were fome who though Concurring with tlie
Prince in his Expedition for their own Security,
were afterwards, when their Fears were over,
for compromifing Matters with King James, and truft-
ing his Promifes afrefh : But the Convention that was
fummon'd by the Princes Letters, when Alfembied
together, after warm Debates, declar'd the Throne
Vacant, King James having Abdicated the Government,
and broken the Original Con^raB with his People : To the
no fmall Mortiffcation of fuch as had all along ftifiy
denied, that there was any Contract between the King
and his Subjects. Hereupon, drawing up a Decla^
ration for Vindicating the Ancient Rights and Liber-
ties of the People, they ofFer'd the Crown to the Prince
and Princefs of Orange, who accepting it, were pro-
cJaim'd King and Queen of England on February the
I3tb, and publickly Crown'd ^t H^eftminfter on April
the nth following, with Univerfal Acclamation; and
none had a greater Ihare than the Dijfenterj in the Coni-
mon Joy.

Cc|

Char

390 The LIFE of Chap. XV.

C H A P. XV.

Mr* Baxter'/ Manifold Temptations, His
Imfrovements and Alterations as he ad-
vanced in Tears. His Deliverances and
Snpporis. His laU Sicknefs and Death:
And Intereii in Men of iSlote and Figure
in the Days he Livd in.

B

UT that we may return to Mr. Baxter] from
whom Publick Matters have diverted us. 1 Ihall
pick up fome remarkable Things, concerning hina^
that would not have been aptly reducible to any of the
former Chapters, and then Accompany him to his
Grave; And afterwards go on with the Hiftory of the
Dijfenters. ^

Few ever had more Weaknefs and Bodily Illnefs to
imbitter their Lives than this good Man had. It has
been obferv'd how this Heighten'd and Cberifh'dthe pe-
culiar Serioufnefs of his Spirit ; Which could not indeed
be any other than remarkable, when he apply'd himfelf
. to every Thing as one that was juft upon the brink of
Eternity ; juft upon entring another World.

But once being under an unufual bodily Diftecnper,
which put him upon the prefent Expe<^ation of bis
Change, going for Comfort to the Promifcs of the Co-r
venant as he us*d to do ; the Tempter firongly aflaulted
Mr. Baxter ^^^ Paith, and would have drawn him into the height
tempted to oi Infidelity. Before his Entrance upon the Miniftry,
Jnjid:iitj. hisapprehenfion of the hardnefs of his Heart and doubt-
ings <of his own Sincerity, gave him the mofl- Diltur-
bance. But afcervvards, his mofttroublefomc Temptati-
ons were to quefiion the Truth of the Scriptures, and
the Life to come, and the Immortality of the Soul.
Which f)rt of Tempcations did not aifault him as they
ufuaily do M^'laticholy tevfons with vexing importuni-
fy, but with the lliew of Sober Rcafon. Hereupon he
,blam*d himfelf for fo long negledling the well fctling of
his Foundations, while he fpent fo much ticre about
the Supcrftru(Sure. So that being this way aifaulted,

the

4' ■

Chap. XV, Mr. Richard Baxter. 591

the Reafons of his feeble Faith were fuddenly enerva-
ted, and he had been pverfet, if God had not been his
Strength. But it was a Mercy, (and he efteena'd it fo)
that he had fome experimental Acquaintance with Vi-
tal Religion, before he w^s this way Ihaken. Had he
been fooner fo terribly aflaulted, his Recovery had been
much "more difficult; Not but th^t Temptations of this
Nature had before been o^calionally Started, but he
call them alide, as fitter to be Abhor'd thanConfider'd ;
But he could not now be any longejrfsitisfy'd that way,
but was forc'd to dig to the very Foundations, and fe-
rioufly to Examine the Reafons of Chriftianity, and to
give a Hearing to all that could be faid againft it ; that
fo his Faith might be indeed his own 5 and at laft he
found, that nothing is fo firmly believed, as that which
hath been fome Time doubted of.
' In a Storm of this Temptation, he qupftioned a
while, whether he were indeed a Chriftian or an Infi-
del, and whether Faith could Confift with fuch Doubts
as his. For he had oft found it Alferted, that if a Man
^fhould le^d a Godly Life, from the bare 'Apprehenfions
of the Probability of the Truth of Scripture, and the
Life to come, it would not Save him, as being no true
Faith or Godlinefs. But Dr. Jackfons Deteniiiination
in the Ca,fe, fatisfy'd, and much fupported him : That
as i;i the very affenting Adt of Faith, there maybe fuch
JW'eaknefs as may make us Cry Lord encreafe cur Faith :
TVe believe^ Lord help our Vnbelief: So when Faith and
Unbelief are in their Conflid:, it is the EfFeds mud
fhew us, which of them is Victorious 5 and that he that
hath fo much Faith as will caufe him to deny himfelf,
take up his Crofs and forfake all the Profits, Honours
and Pleafures of this World, for the Sake of Chrift,
the Love of God, and the Hope of Glory, hath a faving
Faith, how weak foever : For God cannot condemn the
Soul that truly Loves and Seeks him 5 and thofe thac
Chrift bringeth to Perfevere in the Love of God, he
bringeth to Salvation j and there were divers Things
that in this Alfault, provd great Afliftances to his

F^^^^- ^^y Bh -Relief

That the Being and Attributes of God were fo clear ^^^^^y
to him ; He being to his Intelledt like the Sun to his Tem^tati-
Eye, by which he faw itfelf and all Things. On whiph ota of this
AQCQunt he could not but look upon him as Mad, wfio kind,

C c 4 queftion d

392 The LIFE of Chap. XV.

quertion'd whether there were a God ; or could Dream
that the Worjd v/as made by a Conflux of Irrational
Atoms, or that Realon could come from that which had
no Reafon, or that Man or any inferiour Being was
Independent ; or that ail the Being, Power, Wifdom
and Goodnefs, that we continually Converfe with, had
not a Caufe which in Being, Power, ^Vifdom and
Good nets Exceifd all that it had Caus'd in the World.
Being herein firmly fix'd, when the Devil went to Af-
fault him here among the reft of his Temptations, the
reft were the more eafily overcome, becaufe of the o-
verwhelming cogent E' idences of a Deity, which were
always before the Eyes of his Mind.

And it help'd him much to difcern that this God muft
needs be Related to us as our Owner, our Governor
and our Benefad:or, in that he is Related to us as our
Creator ; And that therefore we are Related to Him as
His own. His Siibjeds and His Beneficiaries: Which
as they all proceed by undeniable Refultancy from our
Creation and Nature, fo do our Duties thence arife,
which belong to us in thofe Relations, by as undeniable
Refultarjcy ; fo that Godlinefs is a Duty fo undeniably
reqair'd in the Law of Nature, and fo difcernablc by
Reafon itfelf, that nothing but unreafonablenefs could
Contradi(5t it.

And then it feem'd utterly Improbable and Incon-
ceivable to him, that this God (hould fee us to be loofers
by our Love and Duty to him; or that Perfons (hould be
the more Miferable, by how much the mOre Faithful
they were to him : And he faw that the very PofTibility
or Probability of a Life to come, would make it the
Dmy of a Reafonable Creature to feek it, tho' with the
lofs of all below. Withal he faw by undeniable Expe*
riencc, a ilrange Univerfal Enmity between the Hea-
venly and the Earthly Mind, and the Godly and the
Wicked, as fulfilling the Fredidlion, Gen. 3. 15. And
he faw no other Religion in the World, which could
ftand in Competition with Chriftianity. Hcathenifm
and Mahomet anifm are kept up by Tyranny and
Bcaftly Ignorance, and Blufh to ftand at the Bar of
Reafon, and Judnifm is but Chriftianity in the Egg;
and meer Dcijm which is the nioft Plaufible Compe^
^ titor, is fo turn'd out of almoft all the World, as if
Nature made its own Confcifion, that ivithout a

Chap. XV. Mr. Richard Baxter. ^^^

Mediator it cannot come to God. And he perceived
that all other Religions leave People in their Worldly,
Senfual and Ungodly State : even their Zeal and De-
votion in them, being commonly the Servants of their
ilelhly Intereft : And the Nations y/here Chriftianity
is not, being drowned in Ignorance and Earthly
Mindednefs, fo as to be the Shame of Nature. And
•he faw that Chrift brought up all his Serious and fin-
cere Difciples to Real Holinefs, and Heavenly Minded-
nefs ; and made them new Creatures, and fet their
Hearts and Defigns and Hopes upon another Life, and
brought their Senfe into Subjection to their Reafon,
and taught them to refign themfelves to God, and love
him above all the World ; neither is it conceiveable,
that God would make ufe of a Deceiver for fuch a
real Vifible Recovery and Reformation of the Nature
of Man. And here he faw an admirable Suitablenefs
in the Office and Defigns of Chrift to the Ends of God,
and the Felicity of Man : And how excellently fuper-
natural Revelations fall in, and take their Place in fub-
ferv iency to natural Verities ; and how wonderfully
Faith is fitted to bring Men to the Love of God, when
it is nothing elfe but the beholding his amiable attra-
£l-ive Love and Goodnefs, in the Face of Chrift, and
the Promifes of Heaven, as in a Glafs, till we fee his
Glory. He had withal felt much of the Power of his
Word and Spirit upon himfelf doing that which he
found muft be done ; and could not queftion his Phyfi-
cian, when he had done fo much of the Cure, and re-
covered his depraved Soul fo much to God. And as
his Faith had thefe AfUftances, fo he perceiv'd that
whatever the Tempter had to fay againft it, was ground-
ed on the Advantages he took from his Ignorance, and
his Di/lance from the Times and Places of the Matters
of the facred Hiftory and fuch like Things, which every
Novice meeteth with in all other Sciences at the firft.
Thefe Afiiftances were at Hand, before he came to the
immediate Evidences of Credibility in the facred Oracles
themfelves ; and when he fet himfelf to fearch for
thefe, he found more in the Do6trine, the Predidtions,
the Miracles, Antecedent, Concomitant and Subfe-
quent, than ever he before took Notice of : As may
be feen at large in his Reafons of the Chriftian Reli-
gion, From this Affault, he was forc'd to take Notice,
' ' ' thac

594 T^^ LIFE of Chap. XV,

<<■ ■ ' — ■

« that it is the Belief of the Truth of the Word of God,
and the Life to come, that is the Spring that fets all
Grace on Work, and with which it rifes or falls,
flouriihesor decays, is actuated or ttands ftill ; and that
it is from Unbelief, arifes the Love of the World,
boldnefs with Sin, and neglecft of Duty. For he eafily
obferv'd in himfelf, that if Satan at any Tinie did
more than ordinarily Ihake his Belief of Scripture and
the Life to come, his Zeal in every Religious Duty
abated with it, and he grew more indifferent in Reli-
gion than before ; he was more inclined to Confor-
mity, in thofe Points which hs had taken to be finful ;
and was ready to think, why Ihould he be lingular and
offend the Bilhops, and make himfelf contemptible in
the World, and expofe himfelf to Cenfures, Scorns
and Suffering, and all for fuch little Things as thefe,
when the Foundations themfelves have fo great Diffi-
cultiesj as he could not overcome : But when Faith re-
vived, then none of the Parts or Concernments of Re-
ligion feem'd fmall, and Man feem'd nothing to him,
and the World a Shadow, and God was all. At firli
he doubted not of the Truth of the Scriptures, or of
the Life to come, becaufe he faw not the Difficulties
that might caufe Doubting : After that he faw them
and doubted, becaufe he faw not that that ihould
fully fatisfie the Mind againft them : Afterwards having
feen both Difficulties and Evidences, his Faith was much
the Stronger, and the more Confirm'd j and yet till the
3aft, he found Caufe to make it his daily Prayer, that
God would encreafe his Faith- From firft tolaft he bad
his Exercifes, and yet obfervM a great Difference be-
tween his Younger and his Elder Years.

He found the Temper of his Mind alter fome-
The Vife- ^jjjj^g ^jjjj ^j^g Temper of his Body. V/hen he was

r^'^v^/ ° ' ^^^^^t ^^ ^^^ more Fervent, Vigorous and Affedtionate
himfelf h^- ^" ^r^^ching, Conference and Prayer, than he could or-
t-tveen ' dinatily be in his advanced Age : But then he found his
Tout h and Judgment more Fix'd and Solid. HisUnderAanding
ji.r^, when. Young was quicker, and could more eafily ma-

nage Things prefented on a fudden : But Age and Ex-
perience better acquainted him with the Ways of Truth
and Error, and with a Multitude of Common Miftakes.
In his Youth lie was quickly paft his Fundamentals,
and was running yp into a Multitude of Conyoverlie^,

and

Chap. XV. Mr. Richard Baxter. 595

and greatly delighted with Metaphyseal and Scholaftick
Writings : But the Older he grew,- the fmaller Strefs
he laid upon thefe Controverfies and Curiofities, as
finding a great deal lefs Certainty in them and lefs
Ufefulnefs, even where there's the greateft Certainty,
than he before apprehended ; the Fundamental Do-
cftrines of the Catechifm he moft highly valued, ^nd
daily tho't of, and found moft ufeful to himfelf and o-
thers. The Creed, Lords Prayer, and Ten Command- *
ments, found him the moft acceptable and plentiful
Matter for his Meditations ; they were to him as his
daily Bread and Drink. And as be could fpeak or
write of them ovar and ovei again, fo he chofe rather
to hear or read of them, than of any of the School
Niceties which once fo much pleas'd him. * Among
Truths certain in themfelves,he did not find all equally
certain unto him ; and even of the Myfteri^s of the
Gofpel, the fubjedlive Certainty he found could
not go beyond the obje<5tive Evidence : And there-
fore the Older he grew, the more clearly he dif-
cern'd the Neceflity of a methodical Procedure in main-
taining Chriftianicy, and beginning at natural Truths,
as prefuppos'd Fundamentally to Supernatural. In his
younger Years his trouble for Sin was moft about his
actual Failings, in Thot't, Word or Deed : But after-
wards, he was much more troubled for inward De-
feds, and the Omiflion or want of the Vital Duties or
Graces in the Soul. His daily Trouble was moft for
his Ignorance of God, and Weaknefs of Belief, and
want of greater Love to God, and Strangenefs to him
and to the Life to come, and for want of a greater
Willingnefs to die, and longing to be with God in Hea-
ven. Had he all the Riches of the World, he'd have
given them for a fuller Knowledge, Belief and Love
of God and Everlafting Glory : his Defeats here, were
the Burthen of his Life. At fir it he plac'd much of
his Religion in Tendernefs of Heart, and grieving for
Sin, and Penitential Tears, and lefs of it in the Love
of God, and ftudying his Love and Goodnefs, and in
his joyful Praifes than afterwards. Then he was ht-
tle fenfible of the Greatnefs and Excellency of Love
and Praife, tho he fpake freely in its Commendation :
But afterwards he was lefs troubled for the want of
Grief and Tears, and his Coulcience look'd at Love

and

596 The LIFE of Chap. XV.

and Delight in God, and praifing him, as the Top of
all his Religious Dunes, for which he valu'd and us'd
the Reft. His Judgment was afterwards much more
for frequent and (erious Meditation on the Heavenly
Bleffcdnefs than in his Younger Days. Nothing fo
pleased him at firft as the Dodkrine of Regeneration, .
and the Marks of Sincerity : Which was, becaufethefe
Things were then molt fuitable to him. But after-
wards, he had rather read, hear, or meditate on God
and Heaven, than on any otjaer Subjed: ; for he found
that *tis not only ufeful to our Comfort, to be much in
Heaven in our believing Tho'ts ; but that it jnuft
animate all our other Duties, and» fortifie lis againft
every Temptation and Sin ; and that the Love of the
End, is.it that is the Poife or Spring, which fetteth eve-
ry "Wheel a going, and nrmft put on to all the Means ;
and that a Man is no more a Chriftian indeed than he
is Heavenly. At firft he meditated moft on his own
Heart, and was wont to dwellali at Home and look
jittle highe;: ; He was ftill poring on his Sins or Wants,
or examining his Sincerity : But afterwards, tho* he
was greatly "convinced of the Need of Heart Acquain-
tance and Ennployment; yet he faw move Need of an
higher Work, and that he fiiould look oftner upon
God and Chrift and Heaven, than upon his own Heart.
At Home he could find Diftempers to trouble him, and
fome Evidences of his Peace: But Above he found
he mufl; fee Matter of Delight and Joy, Love and
Peace itfelf. As his Knowledge cncreas'd, he alfo ob-^
ferv'd he grew more acquainted with his own Igno-
rance. He had alfo a far greater Opinion of learned
Pcrfons and Books at firft than afterwards : And there-
fore was more apt to take Things upon an Authors
Credit at firft, than when he came to confider Things
more maturely ; for then he could diflcnt in fome
Things from him that he liked beft, as well as from o-
thers. At firft he was greatly incUn'd to go with the
higheft in Controvclics on one Side or other : But he
afterwards fo caiily faw what to fay againft both Ex-
treams, that he was much more inclinable to reconci-
ling Principles: And whereas he in his more injudicious
Age, tho't that Conciliators were but ignorant Men,
that were willing co pleafc all, and would pretend to
reconcile the World by Principles which they did not

uuder-

Chap. XV. Mr. Richard Baxter. 397

tJnderftand thernfelves ; he afterwards perceived, that
if the amiablenefs of Peace and Concord had no Hand
in the Bufinefs, yet greater Light and fironger Judgment
ufually is with the Reconcilers, than with either of
the contending Parties. At firft the Stile of Authors
took as much with him as the Arguments, and
made the Arguments feem more forcible ; but at
Length he came to that Pafs, as not to judge of Truth
at all by any fuch Ornaments or Accidents, but by
its naked Evidence. His Judgment of Perfcns much
alterd with Age. He found few fo Good when he
came near them, as he apprehended them at a Di-
ftance ; and few fo bad, as the Malicious and the
Cenfofious do imagine. In fome indeed, he found
Humane Nature corrupted into a greater likenefs to
Devils, than he tho't any had on Earth been capa-
ble of: But even in the wicked, he found there was
ufually more for Grace to make Advantage of, and
more to teftifie for God and Holinefs, than he onc^
could believe there had been. He by Degrees became
a lefs Admirer of Gifts of Utterance, and a bare Pro-
feffion of Religion. For he by Experience found what
odious Crimes may confift with high Profeffion ; and
that great Piety and Devotion, may lie comparatively
conceal'd and unobferv'd in an unexpected Quarter.
He grew by Degrees, lefs Narrow in his fpecial
Love, and in his Principles of Church Communion.-
He was not for robbing Chrift of any of his Flock ;
and yet he grew more and more apprehenfive of the
Ufe and Need of Eccielisftical Difciplme : For that no-
thing could be more to Chrift's Difhonour, than when
the Church Ihall be as vicious as Pagan and Maho-
metan AlTemblies, and differ from them only in Cere-
mony and Name. He grew more and morefenfible of
the Evil of Scbifm, and the pernicious Tendency of
Pride, Self-conceit and Fa£lion in ProfeiTors : And yet
more fenfible alfo of the Sin and Mifchief of ufing
Men cruelly in Matters of Religion, and pretending
their Good and the Order of the Church, for Adts of
Inhumanity or Uncharitablenefs.HisGhsirity grew much
more Extenfive in his advanced Age. His Soul was
more affli(^ed with the Tho'ts of the miferable World,
and more drawn out in a Defire of their Converfion
than before. He was not fo inclmed to pafs a peremp-

tory

598 The LIFE of Chap. XV.

tory Sentence of Damnation Upon ail that never heard
of Chrift. He was not fo fe\ ere in his Cenlures even
on the Papifts as formerly. At firft it would difgrace
any Dndfcrinc with him, to hear it cail'd Popi(h and
Antichriftian ; but he afterwards learn d to be more
Impartial, and to diflike Men for bad Doctrine, rather
than the Do£lrines for the Men ; and to know that Sa-
tan can ufe even the Names of Popery and Antichrifl
againft a Truth. He grew more deeply afflidted for
the Difagreements of Chriftians, than in his Younger
Days. He fpcnt much of his Time in ftudying the
Terms of Chriftian Concord, and found that the true
Terms of Peace were obvious and eafie to an impartial
willing Mind. He laid very little Strefs upon the Ex-
ternal Modes and Forms of Worfliip, one Way or ano-
ther., He grew much lefs regardful of the Approbation
of Man, and fet much lighter by Contempt and Ap-
plaufc, than in his Younger Days. He grew more
and more pleas'd with a folitaiy Life, in order to the
clofer Convcrfe with Cod and Confcience, and the in-
vifible World. He found it eafie to be loofed from this
World, but hard to Jive by Faith Above : Eafie to de-
fpife Earth, but not fo eafie to be Acquainted and Con-
verfant in Heaven. He grew more and more apprehcn-
live of the Odioufnefs, and the Danger of the Sin of
Pride and Selfifhnefs. He more and more lamented
, • the Unhappinefs of the Nobility, Gentry and great ones

of the World, who live in fuch Temptations to Sen-
fuality, Curiofity and wafting of their Time ; and
faw more of the Goodnefs of God in fixing PerfonS
in a middle State, without either Poverty or Riches.
He grew more and more fenfible^ that Controverfies
generally have more need of right Stating than De-
bating. He became more Solicitous about his Duty
to God, and Icfs Solicitous about his Dealings with
him, as being affar'd that he will do all Things well.
Tho' he never had any Tho'rs of proper meriting, yet
one of the moft ready, conflant, undoubted Evidences
of his Uprightnefs and Intercit in the Covenant, was
the Confcioufnefs of his living as devoted to God. He
found a great Mutabdity however, as to Degrees of
Grace ; and that he could never have kept himfelf , if
God wore not his Keeper. He grew much more caute-
lous in the Belief of Hiftory, Iceing fo rrany by aft by

inceiert

Chap. XV. Mr. Richard Baxter. 399

, ■ -■ >

Intereft and Fa(5tion, in the Age he lived in ; and look
which Way he would, he found great Caufe to lament
his Defedls and manifold Diforders, for which he was
ready to beg Pardon both of God and Men : Which
Frame and Temper he carried with him to his Grave.

He was from firft to Jaft very obfervant of Provi- His Re-
dence, and took great Notice of God*s Dealings with ^a^^'Me
him. ■ God doth indeed often Manifeft a particular Care ^^^'"^e-
of thofe that are his ; and were Divine Appearances in ^^"^^^*
their Favour duly Noted and wifely Recorded, they
would much recommend a Holy Life. Mr. Baxter had
many ftrange Deliverances which he never could forget.
When he was Seventeen Years of Age, as he rode out on
a great unruly Horfe for Pleafurc, which was wont on a
fudden to get the Bit in his Teeth, and fet a running ;
as he was in a Field of high Ground, there being on the o-
ther Side a quick-fee Hedge, a very deep narrow Lane a-
bout a Stories Hight below him, fudden ly the Horfe got
the Bridle in his Mouth, and ran moft violently -, and oa
a fudden turn'd afide, and leapt over the Hedge into
that Lane. He was at the Ground a little before th6
Horfe ; and as the Mire fav'd him from Hurt in the
Fall, fo it pleas'd God the Horfe never touch'd him ;
but two of his Feet came to the Ground on one Side
of him, and two on the other ; iho* the Place made
it feem ftrange, how his Feet could fall befides him.
At another Time about the fame Age, he had a mar-
velous Deliverance from a Great Temptation to be a
Gamefter. Being at Ludlow-CMc, where a great ma-
ny idle Gentlemen had little elfe to do, he was learn-
ing to play at Tables of the baft Gamefter in the
Houfe. Once playing with him, when his Oppofite
had fo much the better that it was an Hundred to One,
befides the Difference of their Skill, he ftill held on,
tho* both he and the Standers-by all laught at him fos
not giving up, and told him the Game was loft. He
was fo confident of it as to offer an Hundred to One,
and actually laid down Ten Shillings to Six-Pence.
When the Wager was laid, he told him there was no
Poffibility of the Game, but by one Caft often ; and it
fo fell out, that he had that fauve Caft for fevcral
Times fucceffively, fo that by that Time one could go
Four or Five Times aboutthe Room his Game was gone,
vhich caus'd great Admiration. He took the Hint,

fear'd

400 The LIFE of Chap. XV.

fear'd that the DcviJ had the Ruling of the Dice, and
did it to entice him to be a Gamefter, and fo gave him
his Ten Shillings again, and relblv'd never more to
play at Tables whillt he liv'd. At another Time Tra-
velling from London into the Country about Ckriftmns
in a very deep Snow, he met on the Road a loaded
Waggon, where he could not pafs by, but on the Side
of the Bank ; pafling over which, all his Horfes Feet
ilippM from under hiin, and all the Gins broke, fo that
he was caft juft before the Waggon Wheel, which had
gone over him, but that it pleas'd God the Horfes fud-
denly ftopp'd, without any difceinable Caufe, till he
got out of the Way. Many a Time was he broughc
very low while he was at t\ederminfter fo as to receive
the Sentence of Death in himfelf when his poor honefl
Same re- playing Neighbours there met together, and upon iheir
ntarkable f2i.^[^g and earneft Prayers, he hath been recovered.
Ar.jwcTi oj Qjj^g when he had been very low for three Weeks to-
''^P" gether, and was unable to go Abroad, the very Day
that they prayed for him, which was Good-Friday, he
fuddenly recover'd, fo as to be able to Preach and Ad-
minifter the Sacrament to them, the next Lord's Day,
Another Time, he had a Tumour rofe on one of the Ton-
fils of his Throat, white and hard like aBone ; above the
Hardnefs of any Schyrrous Tumour. He fear'd a
Cancer, and applied fuch Remedies by the Phylicians
* Advice as were tho't fitteft ; but without Alteration, for
it remain'd hard as at firft. At the End of a Quarter of
a Year he was under fome Concern that he had never
prais*d God particularly for any of the Deliverances he
had formerly afforded him. And thereupon being fpeak-
ing of God's confirming our Belief cf his Word, by his
fulfilling his Promifes, and hearing Prayers (as it is
publifli'd in the Second Part of his Snints Reji^) he an-
nexed fome thankful mention of his own Experiences,
and fuddenly the Tumour vanifh'd, leaving no Sign
where it had been remaining : Tbo* he neither fwal-
low'd it down, nor fpit it out, nor could ever tell what
became of it.

Another Time having read in Dr. GerJji:rdt}\e admi-
rable Effedls of the fwallowing of a Gold Bullet upon
his own Father, in a Cafe much like his: He got a
Gold Bullet, between Twenty and Thirty Shillings
Weight, and having taken it, he knew not how to be

Chap. XV. Air. Kichard Baxter. 401

again deliverd of it. He took Clyfters and Purges for
about Three Weeks, bur noihiiig Itir'd it -• And a Gen-
tleman having done the like, the Bullet never cam? from
him till he died, and it was cut out. Buc at la ft his
Neighbours fee aparc a Day to fait and pray fjr him,
and he was freed from his Danger, in the Beginning of
that Day. At another Time being in Danger of an Mgi-
Jops, he had alfo fudden Relief by their Prayers. God
marveloully honour'd his praying Neighbours at Ksder^
minjier^ by hearing their Prayers in a great n- any In-
ftances. One Mrs. Giles had a Son of about Fourteen
or Fifteen, who upon the Removal of a Fever fell into
a violent Epilepfy ; and had Four or Five violent Fits
in a Day, in which they were forc'd to hold a Key be-
tween his Teeihj to fave his Tongue. The Phyficians
us'd all ordinary Means for a long Time in vain, but at
laft the People of the Town, at her Requeft:, kept a
Day of Fafting and Prayer ai: her Houfe ; and the fe-
cond Day, he was fuddenly cur*d, and never had a Fit
afterwards. One Mr. Cook-, removing from Kjntar to
J\ederminfter, and meeting with Difficukies in his Con-
cernments, fell into a Melancholy, which afterwards
turned to Madnefs. He €<" ntinu'd in it feveral Years j
the beft Means that could be, being us'd to little Pur-
pofe. Some were for fetting upon Fafting and Prater
on his Account ; but Mr. haxter difcourag'd it, hav-
ing no hope of Cure, his Oiftemper being Natural or
Hereditary to him ; his Father, having much about
his Age fallen Mad before him, and never recoi-er'd.
When he had continu'd in this Condition about Ten
or Twelve Years, fome would not be diffwaded, but
fafted and prayM at his Houfe with great Iinportunity;
and continu'd it once a Fortnight, for feveral Months :
At length he fenlibly mended, and by Degrees finely
recover'd.

At another Time Mr. Baxter riding upon a great
hot metled Horfe, as he ftood upon a floping Pave-
ment in H^orcefier, the Horfe rear'd up, and both his
hinder Feet dipt from under him ; fo that the full
Weight of the Body of the Horfe fell upon his Leg,
which yet was not broken, but only bruis'd ; when
confidering the Place, the Stones, and the Manner of
the Fall, it was a wonder bis Leg was not broken ail
to Pieces. Another Time as he face in his Study, the

D d weight

4C2 . The LIFE of Chap, XV.

Weight of his greateft Fvolio Books, brake down Three
or Four of the bigheft Shelves, when he fate clofe un-
der them ; and they fell down on every Side of him,
and not one of them hit him, except one upon the
Arm. Whereas the Place, the Weight, and Great-
nefs of the Books was fuch, and his Head ]uft under
them, that it was a wonder they had not beaten oui
his Brains, or done him an unfpeakable Mifchief:
One of the Shelves juft over his Head, having Dr. H^aL
tons polyglot Bible ; all Auftins Works, the Bibliotheca
Patrunt ; and Marlor^te, Sec, Another Time, vi:(.
March 16. 1 66 5, as- he was Preaching in a private
Houfe, a Bullet came in at the Window, and pafs'd by
him, but did no Hurt. It was alfo a very remarkable
Prefervation, which he received over St.James's Market-
Houfe mention'd before. And indeed his being car-
- ried thro* fo much Service and Suffering too, under Co
much Weaknefs, was a conftant wonder to himfelf,
and all that knew him, and what he us'd himfelf of-
ten to take Notice of with Expreflions of great Thank-
ful nefs.

He continued his Publick Work as long as he was
able ; which was much longer than either he or any
one elfe could have imagin d, he (hould have done. Af*
ler his Settlement in Charter-Houfe Yard, with Mr. Syl-
vefter^ he gave him and his Flock his Pains Gr^/w every
Lords Day in the Morning ; and every oihcr Thurfda^
Morning at a Weekly Le£lure. And thus he continu'd
for about Four Years and a Half, and then was alto-
gether difabled by his growing Weaknefs for Publick
Service : «And ftili he continued even for the fmall
Refidue of his Life, to do good in his own hired Houfe j
where he open'd his Doors Morning and Evening every
Day, to all that would come to join in Family Worlhip
with him ; to whom he read and expounded the Scrip-
tures, with great Serioufnefs and Freedom. But at
length his Diftempers took him off from this alfo, and
His Jutft confin* d him firft to his Chamber, and after to his Bed.

Sicknefi Then he felt the Approaches of Death, which ufually

AidDcath. reveals the Secrets of the Heart.

But Mr. Baxter was the fame in his Life and Death.'
His Laft Hours were fpent in preparing others and
himfelf to appear before God. He faid to his Friends
that yifired hiai, Tou corns hither to learn to Die : I am

not

Chap. XV. Mr. Richard Baxter. 405

not the only Per/on that muft go this Wny j I can tiffure
you J that your whole Life be it never fo long is little eno to
prepare for Death. Have a Care of thii vain deceitful
World y and the Lttfts of the Flefh, Be fure you chcofe
God for your Portion, Heaveft for your Home^ Gods
Glory for your Efid, his Word for your Rule, and then you
need never fear^ hut we fhall meet with Comfort. His re-
fign'd Submillion to the Will of God in his fharpSick-
nefs was eminenr. When Extremity of Pain coii-
ftrain'd him earneftly to pray to God for his Relcafe by
Death, he would check himfelf and fay : J^ is not fit
for me to prefcribe ; vphen thou voilt^ what thou wilt^ hovo
thou wilt. Being often ask'd by his Friends, how ic
was with his inward Man, he replied, I hlefs God, I
have a well grounded AJfurance of fny Eternal Happinefs^
and great Peace and Comfort within ; but it was his Trou-
ble he could not Triumphantly exprefs it, by Reafon of
his extream Pains. He faid, Flepo muji perifh, and we
mufi feel the perifhing of it : And that tho^ his Judgment
fubmitted, yet Senfe would Ji ill make him Groan, He gave
excellent Counfei to young Minifters that vi(ited him,
and earneftly pray*d to God to blefs their Labours, and
make them very fuccefsful in converting many Souls unto
Chrift. And exprefs'd" great Joy in the Hopes, that
God would do a great deal of Good by them, and blef-
fedGod, that they were of moderate and peaceful Spi-
rits. He often pray'd, that God would be merciful to
this miferablcy dtftraHed World : And that he would pre-*
ferve his Church andlnterefl in it. During his Sicknefs,
when the Qpeftion was ask'd him how he did, his An*
fwer w^s; almoji well. And at laft heexpir'd on De-
cember the ?>ihy 1 691. And was a few Days after in-
terr'd in Chrijl Church, whither his Corps was attended
by a moft numerous Company, of all Ranks and Qua-
lities, and efpecially of Minifters, fome of whom were
Conformifts, who tho't fit to pay him that laft Office of
Refped. There were Two Difcourfes made upon Oc-
cafion of his Funeral ; one by Dr. Bates, and the other
by Mr. Sylvefter^ which are both fince publilh'd. The
former may be met with in the Doctor's Works, and
the latter at the Ead of Mr. Baxter''^ Life in Folio,

He had fet his Houfe, and all his Concerns in or-
der, fome Time before he left this World. It had been
his Cuftom all along, to keep a Will continually by

Dd ^ him*

ii

if.

404 Tke LI tE of Chap. XV .

him. His Laft Will bore Date, July the 7th, 1689-
The Beginning of it was peculiar, and pretty remarka-
ble. It ran thus;
H« VilL " I Kjd.Kird B^ixter of Loytdm, Clerk, an unworrhy Ser-
vant of Jcfus Chrift, drawing to the End of rhisTran-
Iirory Life, having thro God's great Mercy the free
Ufe ot my Underfianding, do make this my Laft
Will and Teftament, revoking all other Wills for-
merly made by me. My Spirit, I commit with Truft
** and Hope of the Heavenly Felicity, into the
*' Hands of jefus. my glorify d Redeemer, and Inter-
" ceffor J and by his Mediation into the Hands of God
** my reconciled Fathef, the Infinite Eternal Spirit,
*^ Light, Life and Love, moft Great, and Wife and
" Good, the God of Nature, Grace, and Glory ; of
** whom, and through whom, and to whona are all
*' Things; my abfolute Owner, Rv^kr andBenefa<3:or;
• * whofe 1 am,and whom I (the* imperfectly) ferve, feek,
-*' and truft; to whom be Glory forever. Amen. To
*' him 1 render moft humble Thanks, that he hath filled
*' up my Life with abundant Mercy, and pardon'd my
** §in by the Merits of Chrift, and vouchfafed by his
*' ^\>\r\i to renew me, and Seal me as his own, and to
*' moderate and blcfs to me my Long Sufferings in the
" Fielh, and at Laft to fweeten them by his own In-
" rercft, and comforting Approbation, who taketh the
.*' Caufe of Love and Concord as his own, ©"c.

He ordered his Books to be diftributed among poor

Scholars : And all that remain'd of his Eftate, after a

few Legacies to bis Kindred, he difpos'd of for the

Bench c of the Souls and Bodies of the Poor. And he

-left Sir Uenry Afhhurjr, B^vpland Hunt of Boraton, Efq;

:Mr. Thomas Hunt Merchant, Edward Harly Efq;

Mr. Tl omiis Cook, Merchant, Mr. Thomas Trench Merchant,

and Mv .K^hert Bird Gentleman, his Executors.

jo Be "^as one that was always fond of a retir'd Life,

and yet it was not in his Power, fo to conceal his

Worth, as that it (hould not be obferv'd and refpedled,

both by fuch as were near him, and fuch as liv'd at a

remote Difiance from him.

My Lord Broghill ( afterwards Earl of Orrery, and
Lord Preficient of Mwifter) had a great Value for him,
rominated bitn as one of the Committee to State the

Fundr.^

Chap, XV. Mr, Richard Baxter. 405

Fundamentals of Religion ; And entertain d him very re-
fpecftfuUy at his Houfe.

While he concinu'd there, he became acquainted h^ Con-
with the pious and learned hich-Eifhop Vfioer^ who then yerfation
Uv'd at the Earl of Peterborough's in St. Martins Lane • -K^'th ^irch-
and their mutual Vifits and Interviews were frequent, ^'f^^op u-
There having been a Difference between Dr. K^endaH, ^^^ i -^.^^
and Mr. Baxter about the Extent of Redemption, they ^'^^^^'^/^ '^
by Agreement met at the Arch-Biftiop's Lodgings, Jea- ^^"Jy"^'''*^*
ving it to him to Arbitrate between them : Who freely
declar'd himfelf for the Dodrine oiVniverfai f^edemp"
tion^ and own'd that he was the Perfon who brought
both Bifhop Davenant^ and Dr. Prclion to acknowledge
it. Having given his Judgment, he perfwaded boch
to forbear a farther Profecution of the Controveifie,
which ihey readily promis'd.

In his Converfation with Biftiop Vfloer^ he defirM his
Judgment about his Propofals for Concord with the E-
pifcopal Party; which werethefe; That a Paflor he Go-
fvennor as well as Teacher of hit Flock, That where there <:re
Several Presbyters in a Pari/h, one he the Stated Prejident,
That in each Market Toupw, (or fome fuch Divifion) there
be frequent Affemblies of Pnrochial Paftors for Concord^
and mutual Ajfiftance in their H^orl{^ voith a fiated Prefi-
dent alfo. That in every County or Diocefe there be a Gene-
ral Affemhly cf the Minifters, once in a Quarter, Half a
T^ar, or Te/ir • having lil{evQife a fixed Prefident^ without
whom nothing be done in Ordination^ or any Matters of Corri'
mon Concernment, and that the Coercive Power or Sword be
appropriated to Magiftrates. He told him they were fuf-
ficient to unite moderate Men ; but would be rejedled
by others. And in Difcourfe about his Predidlions as
to the Return of Popery^ he declared, he pretended not
to any Prophetical ^Revelation, but only was under that
Apprehenfion from his Converfe with the Apocalypfe.
The Bilhop alfo gave him his Judgment for the Validity
of Presbyters Ordination ; and told him that the King
at thellle of JVight^ ask'd him where he found in Anti-
quity, chat Presbyters ordain'd any alone ; and that he
replied, he could fliew much more, even where Presby-
ters alone fucceflively Ordaind Bilhops ; the Presbyters
of Alexandria choofing and making their own Bilhops,
-from the Days of St. Mark, till Heraclas and Dionyfm
[as faith St, Bierom in Epijl, ad Evagrium,"} He moreover

P d 3 own'd

4o6 The LIFE of Chap. XVI.

owa'd to him, ibnt the I{edu3ion of Epifcopacy to the
Form of Synodicd Government^ which went about, was
\\\?t : And with a great deal of AfTurance gave it him as
his Judgment, That Synods are not property for Government^
but for Agreement nmang the Pajlors ; and a Synod of Bi-
fhopSy are not the Governor 3 y of any cne Bi/hop^ there pre"
fent.

While the Debates continued, after the Reftauration
of King Charles about an Accommodation of Ecclefiafti-
cal Matters, Mr. Baxter as appears from the foregoing
Account, was often with the Earl of Clarendon^ Lord
Chancellor, who carried it with a great fhew of Refpedt
to him : And his Intereft in him was fuch as to engage
him to do good Service to the People o^ •Ncxo-England^
on whofe Behalf, h$ oft pleaded with him. The Cafe
was this.

Mr. Ellioi having learnM \ht. American Language, and
converted many of the barbarous Natives to Chriftiani-
ty, was defirous of fettling regular Churches among
them. In Order hereto, it was firft necefHry to build
them Houfes and draw them together, ( who were
us'd to live difpers'd like wild Beafts) and to get a
Maintenance for Mlnifters to preach to them, and
Schoolmafters to teach and inftracSt their Children. For
this Purpofe Cromwell in the Time of his Government,
had a General Collection thro' the Land. The People
gave liberally for fo good a Work ; and the Money was
^ut into the Hands of a Corporation fettled on Purpofe
to difpofe of it to tne bcft Advantage ; who keeping
fome in Stock, purchafed 7 or 800 /. a Year in Land,
which was appiopriated to the Service of the Gofpel in
tbofe Parts. The Land was bought of one Col. Bedding-
field, a P^piJ^y and an Officer in the King's Army. Up-
on the King's Reftauration, the Colonel feiz'd the Land
again for his own Ufe, and refus'd either to furrender
it, or repay the Money, pretending the Corporation was
illegal and null. Hereupon Alderman Afhhuift who
was Treaforcr, calFd the Corporation together, per-
fwaded thofe who were Members of it, that were ob-
noxious, to recede, that he might fee if the reft might
be continued, more fit Men added, and the Land re-
covered. Mr. Baxter urg'd the Lord Chancellor about
it, and found him Hearty. When the Matter had de-
pended a Twelve-month, he granted a Decree for a

new

Ghap. XVI. Mr. Richard Baxter. 407

-new Corporation. Some Lords were made Members of
it ; Mr. Boyle was made Prefident, and Mr. Afhhurft con-
tinu'd Treafarer, and the Matter was happily fettled.
Whereupon Mr. Baxter received Letters of hearty
Thanks, from the Court and (governor m New- England^
and from Mr. Elliot^ and Mr. 'Norton, ail acknowledg-
ing the fignal Service he had done them.

After Mr. Baxter was (iJenc'd with the reft of bis Bre-
thren, he had Letters from Foreign Divines full of re-
•fpedt, and courting him to a Correfpendence with them,
which he durft not yield to, for fear it Ihould be Mif-
interpreted. Among others, he receiv'd a Letter from
Monfieur AmyraU, upon Gccafion of a Word of
Dr. Louis dti Moulin^ who had faid that he had heard
that Amyrald had fpoken flightingly of the Englijh Nm-
conformifts : And another from Monfieur SolUcojfer, a
Minifter in Sxvit:(erland^ who defir'd his Advice about
fetting up the Work of Minifterial Inftrucftion of the
particular Families and Perfons of their Charge. But
fear of Offence, prevented his anfwering thefe and o-
iher Letters from Foreign Parts, tho' he was often ap-
plied to.

In the worft of Times, he had feveral even at Court D«ife Lqu-
and about the King, who were verf refpe£lful to him.derdaie.
Among the reft Duke Lauderdale profefs'd great Kind-
nefs to him. But he being a Perfon generally tho't ill
off, and one whom the Parliament voted an evil Coun-
fellor, many were offended at his having any Correfpon-
^ence with him : Which he gave Way to, partly to a-
void Rudenefs after abundant Civilities, and partly
that he might make Ufe of his Intereft in him for the
doing Good upon Occafion : In which he fometimes was
not without Succefs.

While he liv'd at ABon, he had the Happinefs of free ^. ^^
Converfation with that MirroE of Juftice, that Orna- ^^^^ ^j"^^
ment of King Charles his Reign, the worthy Sir Mat-
thew Hale, Lord Chief-Baron of the Exchequer, who
liv'd in his Neighbourhood. Their Converfation ran
much upon the main Points of Religion, the Immorta-
lity of the Soul, and Certainty of a Future State, C^c,
His Gonverfe was highly pleafing and profitable. He
found him to be a great Lamenter of the Extremities of
the Times, and the Violence of fome of the Clergy,
and a great defirer of fuch Abatements as might take in

Dd 4 all

4o8 The L IFk of Chap. XV.

all Ufefoi Perfons. He manifefted his Relped to
Mr. Br.xtrr^ by giving an h*»ph Encomium of him, both
for Piety and Learning, before fell the Judges ac the Ta-
Wc at Sc'jeMits Inn^ at the Time -when he was in Pri-
fon \»pr^n the Oxff>rii /J8 ; and by leaving him a Legacy
of Forty Shillings in his Wiij.

The Eail of Bnlcr.rres who was driven out of Scotland
by Crtimvo^el^ and Went to KingC^«r/p.f in his Exile, had
alfo a great Value for him ; which was occa(\on'd by his
leading Mr. 'B^.xt-e/*s Books, upon the Lord Lauderdnle%
recommendation. This Earl of B^lcHfiies tvas a very
confidcrable Man, taken for the Head of the Presby-
terians with the Ktng ; but unhappily he fell out with
the Lord Chancellor, and was afterwards forbid the
Court, and in fomeTimedied of aConfumption. The
Lady Bnlcmres was not (hort of her Lord in Refpcdfcs to
Mr. Baxter,

When he was building a new Meeting-Houfe in O^en^
den-ftreet, tho' he meddled not with it himfelf, he had
Contributions fent in freely by many Perfons, to Mr. T/jc-
m/ts Stanley, who undenook the Care of the Disburfe-
ment,^^:. Alderman /J fhhurft and Mr. Booth fem in loo k
collected among their own Acquaintance ; Sir '^ohti M^t-
nard^ol. The Lady ^rwiwf 60 1. The Countefs of W^^jr-
tv/c/j^ 20 J. Mr. Brooi{e Bridges 2o-l. Sir James Langham
10 \. The Countefs of CUre i o 1. Sir Edward Harln \ o L
Mr. Trench and Mr. Brand 20 1. The Countefs of Trecon^
97el6 J. The Lady Clinton 5 1. The Lsidy Ehattor Hollis 5 f.
The Lady Fft:(. James 6 1. The Lady I{jchards 5 J. Mr.
Hampden 8 1. Mr. Henly 5 1. and many others,otherSums.
He was much confulted about Cafes of Confcience.
Scarce a Man in England had more applying rhemfelves
to him upon that Account than he. OneP^riTage is too
The-Refo- remarkable to be'paft by. In 1 665, the Lord /jhley fent
hthnof a a Letter to Sir Jolyn Trevor at jlkon, fignifying that a
Cafe of Con- good Friend of his, in whofe Cafe the King did great-
fcience. jy Concern himfelf, had all his Fortunes caft upon
Mr. Bax*ter's Rcfolntion of th's one Qlfe : Mljcther a
Proteftant Lady tfflriH Education^ mi^t marry a Papijl^
in hope of his Cifrtveyjjon, he fromifirtg not to dijlurb her in
her F(eligion. The Lady told thofe that Were concern'd,
^hat fhc would not Confent, unlefs Mr. Baxter fatisfy*d
her'rhat it was lawful. The Cafe was Nice ; he weigh-
ed it vTcU : AnB this was theS«bftanceof his Refolution.

In

Chap. XV. Mr. Richard Baxter. ^q^

In General, it cannot be faid to be limply, and in all
Cafes unlawful to Marry an Infidel or Heathen^ much
lefs a Papist. Nay, it may be Lawful in Cafe of true
Necefficy where better is not to be had ; and in Cafe it be
very likely to prove fome great Commodity to Church
or State. But ordinarily *tis Sinful, what Hopes foever
there may be of the Husbands Converlion. For a Huf-
band" ought efpecially to be a meet helper in Matters
of the greateft Moment; and he that is no helper in
Religion, muft needs be a binderer ; Marriage is none
of the Means that God hath requir'd in order to Con-
verfion : A Wife in fuch a Cafe, may rather fear being
Chang'd by a Husband, than reafonably hope to work
a Change upon him : Or if fhe be fo happy as to efcape
Perverlion, there is little hope of her efcaping a fad
Calamitous Life : His Religion will not allow him to
Love her otherwife, than as a Child of the Devil, in
a State of Damnation may be Lov'd. And therefore it
can neither be for the Glory of God, nor the true Com-
fort of the Party concern'd.

In the whole Courfe of his Life he had fcarce 'a
Friend whom he more Valu'd and Refpecfted, and by
whom he was more Belov'd, than that Noted Citizen
Henry y^flohurfi ^E{q; commonly call'd Alderman Afhhurfl^
who was the moft exemplary Perfon for Eminent So-
briety, Self-denial, Piety and Charity, that London
could Glory of. He was a Chriftian of the Primitive
Stamp, and did good to all as he was able, efpecially
needy, lilenc'd Minifters; To whom in Lancafloireir
lone, he allow'd looi per Annum, He left behind him
the Perfume of a moft Honoured Name, and the Me-
morials of a moft Exemplary Life, to be imitated by
all his Defcendents. Mr. Baxter gave him his true
CharacSter in his Funeral Sermon.

Many Foreign Divines wrote to him with abundance
of Refpedl. As particularly Monfieur Brunfenim,
Chaplain to his Eledtoral Highnefs of Brandenburg ^
who fent him Word, that he had employed feveral
Perfons to Tranflaie fome of his Pradkical Works into
Lmn, which were Difpers'd and Sold throughout that
Country, and ofFer*d him bis utmoft Service in any
Thing, wherein he was Capable of obliging him. «

"Dt. Spencer alfo, Chaplain to the Duke of Saxony^
direfted Mr. Chriftopber Minin, a Divine who liv'd in

his

4IO The LIFE of Chap. XVI.

his Houfe, to Write a very kind and refpedlful Letter
to "bAiL-Baxter^ and tell him how much his Books had
i)romoted Practical Religion in thofe Countries, fince
they were Tranflated into Latin, and how wonderfully
God had Bleft them for the good of many. But tho'
he was not a little refpedted by many both at Home
and Abroad, yec he was alfo moft mifcrably traduc'd
and cenfur'd, and often falily AccusM. No Man had
more Written againft him by Perfons of different De-
nominations; nor bad any Man more falfe Reports
lais'd of him.

In fhort, Living and Dying, he was as much, Re-
fpedied by fome, and as much Slighted by others, at
any Man of the Age.

CHAP. XVI.

His Works ^^^ Writings.

I

TS well known Mr. Baxter was a Confiderable
Writer, and few ever Wrote to better Purpofe.
His Books for the if Number and Variety of Mat-
ter in them, make a Library .- They contain a Treafurc
of Controverlial, Cafuiftical, Pofitive and Pradical
Divinity. This at leaft was the Senfe of the Judicious
¥ See his ^r. Bates^. Neither was he alone in this Sentiment j
Sermon at for the Excellent Bilhop fVilkins did not flick to fay,
bif fnneral.thsxhe had Cultivated every Subject: he handled. A
Compleat Lift of his Works is .therefore added for the
Satisfa£tioa of the Curious.

The firft Book he publifli'd, was his Aphorifms of Jufti"
fication and the Covenants, with their Explication
annexed: Wherein alfo ic opened the Nature of the
Covenants, Satisfadlion, Righteoufnefs, Faith and
Works, ^c. lis. This was Printed in 1649, and
was difpleafing to many, on Account of fome Pecu-
liarities. He Received and AnfwerM Objcdions fenc
him agaioft it, by Mr. Burgefi^ Mr. PVanen^ Dr. H^al-
ipSj Mr. Cnrtvoright and Mr. Law/on : And to the Jaft
adher'd to the, Subiiance of itj tho' he could have

wilh'd

Chap. X V.l Mr, B^ichard Baxter. 41 1

wilh'd fome Things a little otherwife exprefs'd, and
' that he had lee Perfons alone when be touch'd upon
their Errors. He defir'd that his Confeffion of Faith
(after mention d) might betaken for a fuller Explica-
tion of thifi^ Book.
In 1650, He pubiilh'd his Saints Everlafting Z^^if, Or a
. Treatife of the Bleflfed State of the Saints, in iheir En-
joyment of God in Glory, /^to. which he Wrote in
a very Languiihing Condition, when in the Sufpence
of Life and Death, and yet it has the Signatures of
a moft Holy and Vigorous Mind. This is a Book for
which Multitudes will have Caufc to Blefs God for
ever. Among others, Holy yix.John Janervay was
thereby Converted *. ^ See hh

The fame Year he publifh*d, Plain Scripture Proof of Life, ]^. 6*
Infants Church Memher/hip and Baptifm, ^to. which
were the Arguments us'd in a Publick Difpute with
. Mr. Tombes the Anabaptift at Bewdley ; which Book
recover'd many from Anabaptifm, and Eftablilh'd
more.
In 1653, He publi(h*d the right Method for Peace of
Conjcience and Spiritual Comfort ^ in 3 x DireBions, 1 2s,
He wrote it for the Satisfa6lion of Collonel John
Bridges his Lady. This Book pleas'd Dr. Hammond^
and Comforted many; But fome have been difturb'd
wiih what he there fays about Perfeverance,
A little after, he pubiilh'd hts Judgment about the Perfe^
verance of Believers^ to remove fome Objedtions upon
that Head, ftarted upon Occafion of the foregoing
Difcourfe.
The fame Year he publifliM his Chrijiian Concord: Or,
the Agreement of the Affociated Paftors and Churches
of iVorceFterJhire, with its Explication and Defence,
and an Exhortation to Vnity, /^to.
As alfo, the PVorcefler/hire Petition to the Parliament,'
for the Miniftry of England, with the Defence of it;
in Anfwer to Sixteen Queries, Printed in a Book,
caird a Brief Difcovery of the Threefold State of Anti-
Christ : And there is alfo added Seventeen counter
Queries, and an humble Admonition to the Parlia-
ment, People, and Minifters, in /^to.
In 1654, He pablilh'd Two Affize Sermons, entitulcd
true Chriftianity, One of Chrift's Dominion, and the
ath€rx)f his Sovereknty over all Men as Redeemer, S^'o.

The

412 " The LIFE of Cbap.XVI.

The fame Year he publilh'd hiB Apolofj^ in Anfwef to
JS/ir. Blaise, Dr. /C^«//^/, Ludiomcew ColvinWy or Lu4o-
vJcus MoUn^ui^ Mr. Cmndav^ and Mr. Eyres, ^to.

In 1655, Hepublifh'd his Confejfion of Faith; efpecially
concerning the liiterelt of I^epentance^ and fincere O-
hedience to Cbrift, in our Jvftification and Saivation,
In Defence of his Aplx»i[mSy and in Oppolicion to An-
tinifnianifm^ ^tc,

Tiie fame Year came out hxsMunMe Advice to the Ho-
nourable Members of Parlianaent : Being the Sub-
ftance of fomc Dicedlions he deliver'd in a Sermon
in H'tj^wmflef Abbej, in Order to Church Reforma-
tion and Peace.

As alfo a Sermon of making Light of Chrift ; and ano-
ther of Judgment.

He this Year alfo put forth the ^ai^ers Catechifin : Or
the Quakers queftion d, J^fo.

And the XJnrcnfonablenejl of Infidclhy^ in Four Difcour-
ies. With a Defcripcion of .the Blafpheming againft
the Holy Ghofti and a Poftfcript againft Mr. Lyford :
' And the ArrogaiKy of Rcafon againft Divine Reve-

lations reprefemcd : h%iMi^ Clement Writer, 8vo»

In 1656, He pabli(h*d his Gildoi Sahianw, or i^eformed
Pafiour, Svo. Prepared to be deliver'd at a Day of
Fafting and Prayer among the pyorcefierfhire Mini-
fters, and afterwards Enlarg d.

The Agreement of the faid Worcejier/hire Mini Hers for
Catechifing or Perfonal Inftrwding all their wiiling Pa-
nihioncrs, ^vo.

Certain Difputations of ^ght to Sacraments, and the
True Nature of Vifibic Cbriftianity, againft Mr.
Blake.

In 1657, He publith'd, the Safe Heligiony or Three Dif-
putations for the Reformed Catholick Religion, a-
gsiwiH Popery^ %vo.

A Treatife of Converfion, At^o.

Several (ingle Sheets, for their better Spreading. As a
Winding Sheet for Vopery. A Sheet for the Mmiftry
.(Againft Malignanis. A Sheet agair>ft the Quakers.
/A Second Sheet for the Miniltry. A Sheet Directing
Juftices in Corporations to Difchargc their Duty to
God.

A CfiH to the Vmtnvevted. A Book blafs'd by G^d with
macveilous Succefs in reclaim it)g Pcrfons fiom tberr

Im-

Chap. XVL Mr, Richard Baxter. ^ 413

Impieries. Six Brothers were once Converted by
Reading that one Book*. Twenty Thoufand of ^ Dr.Bites's
them were Printed a^id Difpers'd in a little more than Sermon at
3. Year. It was Tranflaced into French^ and Dutch^ Mr. Bax-
and other Europ<ean Languages : And Mr. Ellioc Tran- ^^^^'^ f»-
flated it into the Indian Language: And Mv. Cotton ^^^"^^^
Mniher, in his Life, gives an Account of an Indian
Prince, who was fo affeded with this Book, that he
fate reading it with Tears in his Eyes till he Dy'd,
not Suffering it to be taken fronj him. 'Twas Tran-
llated alfo into Pf^elch. A good Man faid of this
Book, that he thought it fufficient to perfwadc a Man
to any Thing but to Holinefs.

In 1658. He publifli'd, Hhe Crucifying of the Wcrld by
the Crofi of Chriif, ^to.

Of Saving Faith ; whether it is fpecifically or gradually
different from Common Faith. In Anfwer to Serjeant
Shepherd, and Dr. Barlow ^ ^to.

Confirmation and ^ejiauration, the necejjary Means of i^f-
formation and B^conciliation,%vo, This Book was high-
ly Commended by Dr, Patrick,^ late Bifhop of Ely, in
his /Iqua Genitalis y page 47 1 .

DireBions and Perfwafions to a found Converfion, to fhew
the Confequents of a counterfeit or fuperficial Change.
%vo. Which Book hath been marvelloufly Ufeful to
many Souls, by preventing thofe Miftakes in Pra<£ti-
cal Religion, which are often Fatal.

Five pi^utations of Church Government, 4^0. A Book
Pleading for Moderation, at the Time, when Bi-
fhops, Liturgy and Ceremonies, were mod decry'd
and opposed.

The Judgment and Advice of the Affociated Minifters of
M^orcefier/hire, concerning Mr, John Dury'j Endeavours
after Ecclefiaftical Peace, ^to.

Pour Difputations of Jujiification, ^to. In Anfwer to
Mr. Anthony Burgefi, and a Treatife of Mr. fVarner,
of the Office and Objedl of Juftifying Faith.

Mk Vniverfal Concord, in lis. Giving an Account of

■H the Terms, which all Chriftian Churches may hold
Communion upon.

the Grotian Religion Difcoverd, izs, "Written againft
Dr. Pmcf; containing a Vindication of the Do£lrine
of the Synod of Dort^ and the Old Puritans,

» ■ • In

414 The LIFE of Chap.XVI.

In 1659. He publilh'd his Ksy for Catholicl{s, ^to.
Opening the Jughng of the Jefuites ; and (hewing in
the Second Part thofe who arc for the Supremacy of
a Council as to the Legillative Power, that there
never was a General Council, nor can it be expected
there fliould be one.
His Holy Common Wealth. Or Political Aphorifms
opening the True Principles of Government, againft
Harringtons Oceana^ and F4we's Healing Queftion,8z;o.
An Appendix is added, concerning the Caufe of the
Parliaments firft War.
A Treatjfc of Death, Preach'd at the Funeral of Mrs.'

Eli:{/il;eth Bnl^er^ and afterwards Enlarg'd, ^vo.
A Treatife cf Self-Denial^ \to. The Subftance of feve-

ral Sermons, which found very good Acceptance.
Several Sermons. As, Catholick, Vnity^ izs. The True
Catholick,^ and Catholick^ Church Defcrih*J, i is. A Ser-
mon of I{epentance, before the Houfe lof Commons,
April 30. 4^0. A Sermon of Flight H^ejoycing^ before
the Lord Mayor, May 10. 4^0.
The Life of Faith^ as it is the Evidence of Things un-
feen. A Sermon Preach'd before the King, as his
Chaplain, July the 2ii/.
The Succeffive Vifibility of the Churchy of which the Pro-
teftants are the founded Members. Againft Mr. Wil-
liam Johnfon, Svo.
The Vain Religion of the Formal Hypocrite^ and the Mif-
chief of an unbridled Tongue, lu. Being Sermons
Preach'd in Wfjlminjier- Abbey.
The Fools Projperityy 1 2s, A Sermon at Covent Garden,
Publilh'd upon occafion of fome Offence and Mif-
reports.
The laft IVork^of a Believer ^ 4;^. A Funeral Sermon for

Mrs. Miry Hanmer.
In 1 66 1. He drew up feveral of thofe Papers, which
were Prefented to the King and Bilhops, in Order
to an Accommodation of the Ecclefiaftical Matters
in Difference ; which were partly Publilh'd in a
Quarto Volume that Year, which came out by
Stealth from Private Copies: and are partly con-
tain d in his Life in Folio, Belides his concern in
the reft, The Petition to the Bilhops for Peace ; and
the Additional Forms or f(e formed Liturgy, were his
entirely. Which Reformed Liturgy, hath by many
' been

Chap. XVI. Mr. Richard Baxter. 415

been efteem'd the beft Attempt of that Kind that ever
was made.

In 166 1. He publiih*d. The Mifchiefs of Self-Tgnorance^
itnd the Benefits of Self' Acquaintance, DeUver'd in fe-
veral Sermons at Sr. Dunjians in the TVeJl^ 8vo.

An Account to the Inhabitants ot Kjderminjicr^ of the
Caufe of bis being forbid to Preach amongft them,
by the Bilhop of fVorceJler-, with the Bilhops Letter
in Anfv/er to it, and fome Animadverfions upon the
fa id Bilhops Letter.

ji Saint or a Brute, 4to. Shewing the Neceflity, Profit,'
Safety, Honour and Pleafure of an Holy Life.

In 1663. He put forth a Treacife call'd Novp or Never,
Defign*d to Juftifie, Encourage, Excite, and DirciS-,
the Holy, Diligent, Serious BeUever ; And to con-
vince Oppofers and Negledlers by the Light of Scrip-
ture and Reafon.

In 1664. Came out his Divine Life. In Three Trea-
tifes: Of the Knowledge of God ; of Walking with
God; of ConverGng with God in Solitude, ^to.

In 1665. He publilh'd only fome Sheets. Two for
Poor Families : And one of Inftrudtions for the Sick,
in the Time of their Vifitation by the Plague.

In 1667. He publiih'd his ^eajons for the Chrifiian I{eli'
gion. Proving the Being of God, the Neceflity of
Holinefs, the Immortality of the Soul, and the cer-
tain Truth of the Chrifiian Belief. A Book that hath
been a Prefervative to many, when under Tempta-
tions to Infidelity.

In 1 66p. He publilh'd his Dire^ions for we/i}{ Didemper'^d
Chrijiians, to grow up to a confirm'd State of Grace :
With Characters of a found and a weak Ghriftian,
and a Hypocrite, ^vo.

In 1670. He publifh'd his Life of Faith, with confidei-
able Additions, for the Confirmation of Believers in
the Chrifiian Faith; and their Direction how to live
by Faith, and Exercife it upon all Occafions, 4^0.

— »' — -His Cure of Church Divilions, Svo. In Op-
pofition to uncharitable Principles and Practices of
all forts. Which was a Book at which many were
offended.

In 1 67 1. Came out a Defence of the Principles of Livey
8vo. In Vindication of the foxe-m€;Aaoned Book.

41 6 The LIFE of Chap. XVI.

■ ■ An /infver to Exceptions again.^ the 'ireAtifi for

Love nndZJnJry^ 8vo.

The Divine Appointmentof the Lords D^y, And

the CefTacioii of the Seventh Day Sabbath; againft
Mr. Francis Br.mfield^ 8vo.

•The Duty of Heavenly Meditation I{evivd.

Againft the Exceptions of Mr. Giles Firmin, 4to.

How far Holinejl is the Defigrt of Chrijlianity,

Upon Occafion of Mr. (afterward Bilhop) Fowler*s
Treatife on that Subject, ^to,

•The Difference between the Power of Magi-

ftrates and Church Paftors, and the ^man Kingdom
and Magiftracy, under the Name of a Church and
Church Government UfurpM by the Pope: Againft
Dr. Louis dit Moulin^ j^to.

A Vindication of Gods Goodnefs; for the

Relief of a Melancholy Perfon, ii/.

•A Second Admonition to Mr. Edw. Bag/havt :

Writ to Vindicate the Nonconformijis Minifters, from
the Unjuft Imputation of Schifmatical Principles,
8vo.

In 1672. He put forth, More I{eafons for the Chrifiian
£{eligiony and no {{eafon againft it : With an Anfwer
to the Lord Herbert de Veritate, i 2/.

■ Sacri e^ious Defertion of the Holy Miniftry l{e-

hul(dy and Tolerated Preaching of the Gofpel Vin-
dicated, againli a Book call'd Toleration not to be A-
hufed, 8vo.

The Certainty of Chriftianity without Pope-

ry ; or whether the Gatholick Proteftant or the Pa-
pift have the furer Faith ; in Anfwer to the Papifts
Challenges, %vo.

A Third Anfwer to Mi. Edw, Bag/haw, 4^0.

In 1673. Came out his Chriftian DireHory ; Or Body
of Practical Theology, Fol. Of Private Duties ;
Family Duties; and Church Duties ; and Duties to
Neighbours and Rulers. Anfwering many Cafes of
Confcience. The moft Compleat that is Extant in
the Engiifh Language, or perhaps in any other.

In 1674. He publilh'd his Methodm Theologize, Lat. FoL
This Book coft him the moft Pains by far of any of
his Works. He was a great many Years about it.
It coft him One way or other about 500/. the Prin-
ting j for he was forcd to Print it at bis own Charge :

■ - -' And

Chap. XVL Mr. Kichard Baxter. 417

And after ail, 'cis generally eftcem'd fo Abftrufe and
ScholaftrcaJ, that few have been willing to be at the
Neceflary Pains to underftand it. Bar fuch as will
excufethe L<ttin of it, will find a more than ordinary
Accuracy in it.

-Full and Eafie Satisfaction, which is the Tnre

and Safe Religion ? In a Conference between a
Doubter, a Papift, and a Reform'd Catholick : A-
gainft Mr. l>Vray^ 4to.

*'— — The Poor Mans Family Book : In Nine Days
Conference between a Teacher and Learner, in a Fa-
miliar Way : Teaching how to become a true Chri-
ftian, how to Live as fuch, and to Die fuch. With
Forms of Prayer, Praife and Catechifm, for the Ufe
of Families, 8vo. A Book that was well Accepted,
and hath been very Ufeful : Many Thoufands of
them being diftributed thro' the Nation.

■ ■ , ' — An yJppeal to the Light. In a SerOiOn on
Ephef, I . verfe 3 . 4to.

In 1675. Ca.me out his Caehoh'cl^Theolof J, Vol. In which
he undertakes to Prove, that befides Things unreveal-
ed, and known to none, and ambiguous Words, there
isnoconfiderabledifference between the ^r;?2?Kj4«/ and
Calvinifis, except fome very tolerable Difference in
the Point of Per/everance. For which Book he ex-
pected to befallen upon by both Sides, but had the
Happinefs to efcape : Neither has it as I know of been
anfwer'd to this Day.

„., ■ ..^More Proofs of Infants Church Mewherfhip, and
confequently their Right to Baptifm. Againft Mr;
TombeSy ^nd Mr. Danvers, 8vo.

r-^Two Difputntions of Original Sin ; As from A-

dam, and as from our nearer Parents.

'Seled: Arguments tignin^ Popery^ /:i^to.

'A Treat ije of Jujiifying B^ghteouf/tcjl^ againft

Dr. luUie^ and Mr. Chri flop her Cartvoright^ 8'. o.
A Sermon in the Morning Exercife againft Popery ; A-

gainft any meer Humane Head of the Church of

Chrift, either Perfonal or Colledive : Being the 5th.

in Number.
In 1676. Came out the Judgment of Nonconformifts,

of the Intereft of Reafon in Matters of Religion,

4to,

E e —A

4i8 ^TheLIFEof Chap, XV\.

A Review of the State of Chriftian Infants,

againft Mr. Hutchinfofi^ Mr. Danvers, and Mr. Tombej,
8vo.

•The Judgment of Nonconformifts, about the

Difference between Grace and Morality, 4to.

•Their Judgment about Things Indifferent,

commanded by Authority, 4to.

•Their Judgnicnt about Things Sinful by Acci-

dent, and of Scandal, 4:0.

What meer Nonconformity is not, 410.

'Roman Tradition Examin'd, as urg'd as in-

faliiblc agamft all Mens Senfes, in Anfwer to a Book

called 3.^ationnl Difcowfe of Trnnjubfiantiation^ 410.
In 1 677. Came out Knk^-'d Popery : An Anfwer to a Book

call'd the Catholick Naked Truth, Or the Puritan

Convert to Apoftolicai Chriftianity; Written by

William Hutchinfop^ alias Berry,
In 1678. He pubJiftieda Funeral Sermon for Mr. Henry

Sti-hs, 8vo.
In 1679. He put forth a Treatife, StiPd, Which u the

true Church : The whole Chriftian Wvrld ai Headed by

Chrift, or the Pope and his SubjeHs ? In Anfwer to Mr.

Jvhnfo?!^ 4tO.
. The Nonconformifts Plea for Peace; Naming

the Matters of Conformity, 8vo.
In 1680. He publifhed a Funeral Sermon for Mrs. Airf-

ry Cox^ caird the true Believers Choice and PJea-
• * fure, 8vo.
. The true and only way of Concord of all the

Chriftian Churches; Againft Mr. Do^weZ', 8vo.

The Defence of the Nonconformifts Plea for

Peace, againft Mr. Chc:-iy\ Anfwer, ^c. 8vo.

—The Second Part of the Nonconformifts Plea

for Peace. Their Principles about Civil and Ecclefi-
aflical Authority, Obedience and Refiftance, 4to.
A Moral Prognoftication of what muft be cx-

pe<5Vcd in the Churches of Chriftendom, till the
Golden Age returns, 4to.

'Church Hiftory of the Government of Biihops

and their Councils, 4to.

An Anfwer to Dr. Stilling fleets Charge of Sepa-

ration, in his Sermon before the Lord Mayor, 410.
In 1 681, Came out his Treatife of Epifcopacy, 410.

Chap. XVL Mr. Richard Baxter. 419

• —A Funeral Sermon for Henrjf /i(hktirft^ Efq; 410.

•v-Poetical Fragments, i 2S.
■An Apology for the Nonconformifts Miniftry;

containing the Reafons of their Preaching; an An-
fwer to the Accufations urgd as Reafons for their Si-
lencing; and Reafons proving it the Duty of Bilhops
and Conformiftsto endeavour their Reftauration, 410.
-i~Of an Univerfal Humane Church Supremacy,

againft Mr. Dodwe/f, 4to.

—An Account of his Diflent from Qr. Sherlocl;, 4to.

——A fearch-for the Englifh Schifmatick, 4to.

A Third Defence of the Caufe of Peace, againft

— — 7i

the Accufation of Mr. Hlnklcy and others, 8vo.

•A fecond true Defence of the meer Nonconform

mifts; agaitlft Dr. Sf////w^j?f(rA, Mr. Glanvil, &c.
—A Breviate of the Life of Mrs. Margaret Baxter ;

vrho died June 14th j68o, 4to.
In i68z, Game out an Anfwer to Mr. Dociwel*s Letter^
calling for more Anfwers, 410.

■A Specimen of the prefent Mode of Controver-
fie in England^ with Remarks on VEJlmrge, 410.
The true Hiftory of Councils Enlarged and De-

fended, 4to.

■ A Funeral Sermon for Mr. John Corbet^ 4to.
-Of the Immortality of Man's Soul, and the Na-

ture of it, and ocher Spirits : Againft a Letter to an
unknown Donbter, 8vo.

•Of the Nature of Spirits, efpecially Man s Soul,

in a Collation with Dr. Moore, 8vo.

-A Sermon of the cure of Melancholy; in Dr.

Atwe/Iy*s Morning Exercife, 4to.

Compaftionate Counfel to Young Men, efpecially

Londort Apprentices, Students of Divinity, Phyfick,
and Law, and the Sons of Magiftrates and rich Men,
8vo: Of which, he gave away 1500.

•How to do good to many : Or the Publick Good

the Chriftians Life. A Sermon, 410.
In 1683. He put forth his Family Catecbifm : A

Teacher of Houiholdcrs, how to teach their Houfe-

holds the Principles of Rehgion, 8vo.

— Additions to the Poetical Fragments, 8vo.

— — Obedient Patience in General, and in 20 Parti^

cular Cafes, €^c. 8vo.

E e X —A

420 The LIFE of Chap. XVI.

A Farewel Sermon prcpar'd to have been Preach'd
to his Hearers in KJddertninfter^ 4to.

'His dying Thoughts; Written for his own Ufc,

in the latter Times of his Corporal Pains and Weak-
nefs. The Noble Lord, iVilliavi B^uffcl^ who dy*d a
Martyr for the Liberty of his Country, a little before
^^ his Death, by a trufty MefTenger, Tent Mr. Baxter his

hearty Thanks for this Book^ which had made him
better acquainted with the other World than he was
before, andgnot a little contributed to his Relief and
Support, and to the fitting him for -what he was to
go through.

The dangerous Schifmatick clearly detected, and
fully Gonfuted, 410.

The id. Part againft Schifm : Or Animadver-

lions on a Book of Mr. ^tlphfons^ 4to.

•A Survey of the Reply to Mr. Humphrey, and

Mr. Baxter, concerning Dr. Stillwgfleet, Sec. 410.
In 1684. Came out Caiholick Communion Defended:

Realons for Communicating with the Parifli

Churches, 410.
■ An Anfwer to Dr. Owen's Arguments againft that

Praiftice, 410.
— — Whether Parifli Congregations, be true Chriftian

Churches? Againft Mr. Lo/^, 4to.

•A ftiort Anfwer to the chief Objedlions in a Book

Entitl'd a Theological Dialogue, 4to.

Catholick Communion doubly Defended, 4to:

-The Judgment of Sit Mat hew Hale of the Nature

of true Religion, 4to.

In 1685. Came om Vnum Necejfarium, or Chrift's Ju-
ftificaion of r.'y.rfs Choice, 8vo.

• A Partiphrafe on the New Teftament, 4to. For

thi* Rook the Author was very feverely handled, by
the {]clp of fuch Innuendoes as would Arraign the
ver.' Scriptures themfelves.

In ^689, Came out his Senfe of the Subfcribed Ar-
ticles, by the Minifters of L^w^o;;, Concerning Reli-
gion. 4tO.

The En^rlifo Nonconformity as under King Charles

the II. And King y<jmcj the II. Stated and Argued, 4to.
A Book that hath remain'd hitherto without a Reply.

•s A Treatife of Knowledge and Love compar'd, 4to.

— — Ciiin and /ilfci's Mali£nity, 8vo.

In

Chap. XVI. Mr. Richard Baxter. 421

1111690. Hepubliftied, the Scripture Gofpel Defended,
and Chrift's Grace, and Free Juftification Vindicated
againft the Libertines in 50 Comroverfies of Juftifi-
cation, 8vo.

A Defspce of Chrift and Free Grace, againft the
Antinomians ; Upon occafion of the Reprinting Dr,
Cr/jf's Works, 8vo.
In 16^1. He pubUlhed his end of Dodlrinal Contro-

verfies, 8vo.
. — =^The Glorious Kingdom of Ghrift-Defcrib'd and
Vindicated againft Mr. Tho Beverly, 4to.
>A Reply to Mr. Tho, Beverly, 4to.
■Of National Churches ; Their Defcription, Inrti-
tution, Ufe, Prefer vation, Maladies and Cure, 410,

Againft the Revolt to a Foreign Jurifdidion, 8vo.

-Church Concord ; Perfwading againft Divifions

and Separations, 4to.

—His Penitent Gonfeffion and Neceflary Vindica-

tion, 4to.

■*The Certainty of the World of Spirits: Or an

Account of Apparitions and Witch-crafts, 8vo.

Since Iqk Death have been Puhlipoed^

The Proteftant Religion truly Stated and Juftify'd :
Writ againft a Book, call'd the Touch-Stone of the
Reformed Gofpel, 8vo. 1692.
A Paraphrafe on the Pfalms of David in Metre j with

other Hymns, 8vo. 1692.
A Treatife of Univerfal Redemption, 8vo. 1694.
His Narative of the moft Memorable Paffages of his

Life and Times, Vo\.i6^6,
The Mothers Catechifin, or a Familiar way of Catechi-
zing Children, 8vo. 1701.

Befides all which Writings of his own, he wrote more
Prefaces to the Works of others, than any Man of his
Time. We have a Preface of his, before Mr. Swinficclis
Book of Regeneration; another before a Book of Mr.
Hopkins ; another before a Book of Mr. Ecdes ; another
before Mr. Pool*s Model for advancing Learning ; ano-
ther before Mr. Benjamin Baxter^ Book ; another before
Mr. Jonathan Hanmer's Exercitation of Confirmation ;
another before Mr. Lavorence of Sicknefs ; two before two
of Mr. Tombe's Books; Another before a Difcourfe of

Ee 3 Mr.

±22 Some Hiflorical Additions Chap. XVII.

Mr. iVilliam BelPs of Patience ; An Introdudtion to
Mr. Jof. Aliens Life. A Preface to his Alarum to the
Unconverted : Another to Mr. Hi^iv's Bleffednefs of the
Righteous : Another to Mr. Clnrk's Annotations on the
>J2W Teftaraent: Another ro Mr. Abraham Clifford's
Dif ourfe on the Two Covenants : Another to one E-
ditioii of Mr. P^cvolcts Book of the Sacrament: Another
to the nth Edition of Scudders Daily Walk: Another
to Mr. lV:irnm Allen of the Covenant. Another to a
Book of Dr. Bryansk of Dwelling with God : Another to
Mr. F:/chkJs*s Forgivenefs of Sin : Another to Mr.
Gouge's fureft and ifafcft way of Thriving : Another to
Mr. Ohed tViUs of Infant Baptifm, againft Mr. Danvers.
And one to Mr. Corbet's Remains; with many Others.

I might add the Cenfures pafs'd by Eminent Men up-
on his Works : But Til be contented with that of
the Learned and Ingenious Dr. Barrovp, who gives
this as his Judgment : His PraEiical Pf^ritings were ne-
ver mended, and hn Controverfial ones^ feldom Confuted'

His Pradtical "Works have fince his Death, been
Printed altogether in Four Volumes, in Folio.

CHAP. XVIL

An. 1688. 7]5e Caje of the DiJJenters^ and their Treat-
ment-^ And the New State of Things in the
beginning of the Reign of King William
and Sixteen Mary.

KING William when he was Prince of Orange,
in his Declaration publifh'd at the Time of his
Expedition into Engla7id, promis'd to endeavour
a good Agreement between the C hutch of England, and all
Proteftant Dljfcnters, and to cover and fecurc all thoje who
would liv* Peaceably under the Government y from all Perfe-
cution upon the Account of their B^Ugion. And it is but a
piece of Juftice that is due to him, to acknowledge
that he kept his Promife 5 and that if he proceeded not
- • as

Chap. XVir. after the Revolution iff l688, 423

as far as he at firft defign* d, in getting thofe depriv'd of An. 1688.

the Power, thac wanted not for Will to bear hard upon

their Neighbours, the Obilru6tion came from others,

who had Defigns of their own to ferve, by preventing

the guod Effects of his Endeavours, as will appear

from the Sequel.

There were great Expedlacions concerning the Con-
fequences of the fudden Alteration here in England*
All Europe was furpriz'd with the Report of it; and we
at Home were not fooii able to recover out of our Amaze-
ment. Never was the Throne of Engl^.nd better a-
dorn*d and fiU'dthan by this noble Pair; and the greateft
Contention at firft feem'd co be, who Ihould Ihew them
the moft Refpedt. They were nofooner Proclaim'd
than the Joy Eccho'd from all Parts. Among the reft,
the Dijfenting Minifters in and about the City of Loh"
don, Prefenred an Addrefs to their Majefties, at which
Tinne Dr. Bates made the Two following Speeches.

To the KING.

May it pkafe your Mttjefty,
^ 'np H E Series of fuccefsful Events that has attended
-*• ' Your Glorious Enterprize for the faving thefe

* Kingdoms from fo imminent and DeftrucSlive Evils,
^ has been fo eminent and extraordinary, that it may

* fprce an Acknowledgment of the Divine Providence
'' from thofe who deny ic, and raifes Admiration in all

* who Believe and Reverence it. The Beauty ^and
' Speed of this Happy Work are the bright Signatures
' of his Hand, who creates Deliverance for his Peo-

* pie. The Icfs of Humane Power, the more of the
' Divine Wifdom and Goodnefs has been Confpicu-
' ous in it. If the Deliverance had been obtained by
^ fierce and bloody Battels, Vi(5toryitfelf had been de-
' jeded, and fad, and our Joy had been mix'd with

* affliding Bitternefs. But as the Sun afcending the
' Horizon, difpels without noife the Darknefs of the

* Night; fo Your Serene Prefcnce has without Tu-

* mults and Diforders, chafed away the Darknefs that

* invaded us. In the Senfe of this aftonilhing Deli-?

* verance, we defire with all poffible Ardency of Af-

* fedion, to magnifie the glorious Name of God the

E e 4 ^ Atithpf

424 Sorne Hiflorkvl Additions Chap. 5^V1I.

An. i638

Author of ic, by whofe entire Efficacy the Means have
beefA fuccefsful: And we cannot without a warm
Rapture of Thankfulnefs, recount our Obligations
to Yonr Majefty the Happy Inftrument of it. Your
llluftrious Greatncfs of Mind in an Undertaking of
fuch vaft Expence; Your Herolck Zeal in expofing
Your moik precious Life in^^fich an adventurous Expe-
, di:ion; Your wife Conduifi: and unfhaken Refolution
in prolerining Your great Ends, are above the lofticft
Fiights of Language, exceed all Praife. We owe to
Your Majefty the Two greatel^ and molt valuable
Bieirings that we can enjoy, the Prefer vation of the
true Religion, our moft facred Treafure, and the re-
covery of the falling State, and the Eftablifiiing it up-
on juft Foundations. According to our Duty we
Promife unfaincing Fidelity, and true Allegiance to
Your Majefties Perfon and Government. JVe are en"
ccuragd oy Tour Graciom Promife upon our firfl Addrefi,
humbly to defire and hope, that Tour Majefty voill be pleafed^
by your Vi^ifdom and Authority, to eflablifo a firm XJnion
of your Proteftant Subje(3^s m the hiatters of I{eligton^
by makjng the I{ule of Chriftianity to be the J^ule of Con-
formity, Our Blejjed XJnion in the Purity and Peace of
the Gojpel, will mal^e this Church a fair and lovely Type
of Heaven, and terrible to our Antichrijiian Enemies ",
Toti will mnl{e England the Heady Centre fom whence a
powerful Influence will be derivd for the Support of I^e~
formed Chriftianity Abroad: This will bring Immortal
Honour to Tour Name, above the Trophies and Triumphs of
the jnoit renowned Conquerors^ M^e do Ajfure Tour Ma-
i^fty* ^hat we (hall cordially embrace the Terms of XJnion,
which the ruling H^ifdom of our Saviour has prefcrib'd in
his PVord. We fhall not Trefpafs farther upon Your
Royal Patience, but (hall offer up our fervent Prayers
to the King of Kings, that he will pleafe to direft
Your Majefty by his unerring Wifdom, and always
encline your Heart to his Glory, and.encompafs Your
Sacrtrd Perfon wuh his Favour as with a Shield, and
make your Government a Univerfal Blefling to thefe
Kingdoms.

His Majefty was gracioufly pleas'd to make this An-
Uv^x, J tal{e kindly yaur ^ood I'f^ijhes ; and whatever k
ih my Power fknll be employed for obtaining fuch a ZJnion
n'm^ng you. I do Ajfure you of m) Protection and Kjnd-
neJJ. To

Ghap. XVII. after the Revolution in 1688. 425

An, 1688.

To ^/je dUEEN.

Ma'i it pleafe your Majefty^

* VT OUR happy Arrival into Your Native Coun-
-*- ' try, and Accelfion to the Crov^fl, has diffus'd

* an Univerfal Joy thro' this Kingdom. Tis an aufpi-
' cious Sign of Publick Felicity, when Supreme Ver-

* tue, and Supreme Dignity meet in the fame Perfon.

* Your inviolable Firmnell in the Profeflion of the

* Truth, and exemplary Piety, are the moft radiant

* Jewels in Your Grown. The Luftre of your Con-

* verfation, unftain'd in the midft of Tempting Vani-

* ties, and adorn*d with every Grace, recommends Re-

* ligion as the moft honourable and amiable Quality,
' even to thofe who are averfe from hearing Sermons,

* and apt to defpife ferious Inftrudlions and Excitations
to be Religious. fVe humbly defire Tour Majedy voili

* be pleas' d by Your PJ/ifdom and Goodnefs to compofe the
^ Differences between Tour Proicftant SubjeBs^ in Things
' of lefs Moment concerning Religion. We hope thofe i^f-

* verend Perfons X9ho ccnfpire with us in the main End, the
' Glory of God and the Publicly Good^ will Conjent to the

* Terms of ZJnion^ wherein all the Reformed Churches agree,

^ We fhall fincerely Addrefs our Requefts to God, that .

* he will pleafe to pour down in a rich Abundance, his

* Blellings upon Your Majefty's Perfon and Government,

* and preferve You to his heavenly Kingdom.

* Her Majefty was gracioufly pleas'd to Anfwer them

* thus : I will ufe all Endeavours for the obtaining a V'
' niony that is neceffary for the edifying of the Church,

* J defire Tour Prayers,

This was a Publick Fad:, and the Speeches were af-
terwards printed, whereby the Dijfenters in Effe£l de-
clared to all the World, their Readinefs to yield to a
Coalition with the Eftablifti'd Church. But little No-
tice was taken of it. They had receiv'd Encourage-
ment to expe£t great Things. The Bifhops and Clergy,
the Nobility and Gentry, with great Unanimity before
the Revolution profefs'd themfelves fenfible of the Ne-
ceility of making the Ecclefiaftical Foundations wider,
and having a clofer Correfpondence with the Protefiant
Churches Abroad, ^c. Among the reft, they found a
celebrated Writer at the latter End of the foregoing

Reign

426 Some Hifiorical Additions Chap. XVII.

An. 1688. Reign, when apologizing for the Church, flndherpafs'd
^ An Ap')- Proceedings, thus * expreiTing himfelf. It ts not to be
lo<ry for the doubted y but tho fome weaker Men of the Clergy may flill
Church of retain their little ^eevifh Animofities^ agr.inft the Diffen-
England, ters, yet the wifcr r.nd more feriom Heads, of that great and
fifith Ret a- vporthy Body, fee now their Error. They fee who drove them
tion to the ^„ /;, {(^ ^/// ([jgy hopd (q have ruirid them by it. And ai
Spirit of ^f^gy jj^^g appear'' d againji Popery, with as great Strength
Ferfecution ^j: i^^^yni^g^ and a& firm Steadinefs ai can -perhaps be met
for which ^.^1^ .^^ ^^ Church'HiJiory, feif^ cannot be doubted^ but their
^u jc RefleHions on the DnnTers into which our DiviGons have

CMS (1,1)22 0. y-' , . K ,r • ' t r. , ■

'■ " thrown us, have given them truer Notions with B^lation to a
rigorous Conformity ; And that the juji Detejiation which
they have exprejfed of the Corruptions of the Church of
Rome, has led them to confider and abhor one of the worji
Things in itj viz. Their Severity tow^irdsHeretickj. And the
ill Vfe, that they fee the Court has made of their ^eal for
fupporting the Crown tojufiifie the Suhverfion of our Govern'
menty that is now fet on, from fome of their large and un-
wary Exprejfions^ will certainly make them hereafter more
cautious in meddling with Politicks : The Bi/hops have un-
der their Hands both difowned that wide Extent of the Pre'
rogative, to the over turning of the Law^ and declared their
Difpofition to come to a Temper in the Matter ( of Confor-
mity ; and there feems to be no dcuht left, of the Sincerity of
their Intentions in that Matter, Their Piety and Uertue^
, and the PrcfpeEi that they new hai^e of Suffering themfelves,
put us beyond all Doubt as to their Sincerity 5 and if ever
God in his Providence brings us again into a fettled S(ate^
out of the Storms into which our PaJJions and Folly, as well
as the Treachery of others hnve brought us, it cannot be
imagined^ that the Bifhops will go off from thofe Moderate
J^folutions, which they have now declared: And they con-
tinuing firm ^ the weal^ and indijcreet Pafjions of any of the
Inferior Clergy, mufi needs vanifh, when they are under the
Conduct of wife and worthy Leaders, And I will boldly fay
this, that if the Church of England after /he has got out of
this Storm, will return to hearken to the Peeviflonefs of fome
fowr Men, [he will be abandon d both of God and Man^
and will fet both Heaven and Earth againfi her. The N/J-
tion fees toovifibly^ how dear the Difpute about Conformity^
has cofl us, to fiand any more upon fuch PunQi lie's : And
thofe in whom our Deliverance is wrapt up, underfiand this
Matter too welly and judge too right of it, to imagine that

ever

Chap. XVII. after the Revolution in 1688. 427

ever they will be Prieft ridden in this Point. So that all -^n. 1^8.8.
Confiderations concur to make us conclude^ that there is no
Danger of our (flitting a Second Time upon thefr^me J^cck^:
And indeed if any Argument were wanting to compleat the
Certainty of this Pointy the wife and generous Behaviour of
the main Body of the Diflenters, in this frefent Junciure ;
has given them fo jufl a Title to our Friend/hip, that we
muif're/olve to fet all the TVorld againfl us, if we can ever
forget it,and if we do net make them all the B^turns of Eafe
and Favour when it is in our Power to do it.

But the fame celebrated Writer has fince told the
World, how little his and others Expediations in this
Refpe£t were anfwerd. For fays he elfewhere *, The ^ The Bl-
Bifhops in the former B^ign had in that Petition upon which P)op &/*Sa-
theyfufferd fo glorioujly, exprefs*d a ^eadinefs to come to a i"iJrn'5 1?e-
juft Temper in all the Matters of Difference Among us, when fi^^^°^^ °^
they Jhould be bro^t before them in Convocation or Parlia- ^ ^°^^' ^°'^'
ment. And among other Mejfages that were fent over to "f'V"'^ ^'^
the King, Being then Prince of Orange, one was, that he ^'^J.^^ jL
would uje all his Inter efi among the DifTenters, to hinder them ^^ ^ .
from running into the Declaration^ and to the Dejign that ^ .^ '
was then promoted, of animating them againft the Church,
Of this (fays he) I maybe allow'* d to f peak confidently^ be^
caufe it faffed thro* my own Hands ; and 1 drew the Dire-
Bions that were given to an eminent Perfon who was employed
in it, Upon thefe I{eafons it was, that the Prince promised
in his Declaration with which he came over^ that he would
ufe his Endeavours to bring about the fo much deflr^d ZJniori,
between the Church of England and the DifTenters. So
their Majefiies were under Engagements to make the Expe^
riment. It is true, it did not fucceed, a form'd B^folution
of confenting to no Alterations at all in Order to that XJnion^
made that the Attempt was laid ajide, I will not enter into
an^ further j^fieBions on Mens Behaviour at that Time ; it
■plainly appear d, it was not a proper Seafon to try to make
Peace, Attempts that way were more Ukely to create new
T^ents, than to heal the old Ones. So that the Dijfenters
taking this Publick Opportunity of declaring to their
Majefties prefently after their afcending the Throne, a
readinefs on their Pjart, to confent to the Terms of Vnion^
wherein all the Reformed Churches agree, muft be acquitted
by all Mankind from being the Hinderers of the de-
defir'd Agreement. And this worthy Prelate plainly
tells us where the Blame muA be laid.

Imme-

428 Sorde Hijiorkal Additions Chap. X VIL

An. 1639 Immediacely after our happy Settlement, great Ani-
mofities appear'd among the Church Party, which fpread
all over the Land. The Dirference lay both in Political
and Ecclefiaftical Matters. The Political Difference
referr'd to the taking the Oaths to the New Govern-
ment, which many fcruplcd while King James was
living, to whom they had fworn Allegiance already.
The Ecclefiaftical Difference, referr'd to Alterations and
Emendations in the Conftitution, Worfliip, and Disci-
pline of the Church, which fome were for in Order to
the ftrengthning our FoundatiQns, and others againft,
as feeing no Need of Amendments. Both thefe Con-
troverfies were manag'd with great "Warmth and Eager-
nefs ; while the DiJJentsrs flood by, making their Re-
marks, hoping they fliould be no Loofers in the Iffue by
fuch Debates. And in this Hope they were much en-
courag'd by obferving the good EfFedts of their former
Difputes with the Papifis, upon fuch Principles as had
fee the Authors themfelves more Upright than before
ihey had been.

When it was once determind the vacant Throne
fhould be fiiled, the Debate about Alterations ahd A-
mendments in the Church quickly made a Noife. They
who tho'r we were arriv'd at Perfedlion, were apprehen-
five their Majefties were inclin'd to be too yielding to
Dijjenterj, and therefore us'd great Art and Induftry to
firengthcn their Intereft, that to we might continue up-
<3n the old Bottom. Some few there were that could
hardly think fit to allow the Dijfenters Liberty ; but
even thofe who were fo generous as to retain fuch a
Senfe of their paft Dangers, and the Promifes and Af-
furances then given^ as to be free for Liberty, were
generally backward to a Coalition, tho' much preft by
many indifferent Standers-by.

There were many and warm Debates in the Two
Houfes of Lords and Commons about a Comprebenfiorj,
and an Induhence ; for Bills were bro't in for both ;
and both were canvals'd. Some who were of a nar-
row Spirit, forgetting former Promifes, and repeated
Declarations, were for keeping the Dijfenters under a
Brand : But thinking Men, were of a more generous
Temper. Their Cafe was at that Time fairly repre-
fented by an impartial Hand, and ftrenuoully argu'd,
in the Compafs of a Sheet of Paper, which being liable

to

Chap. XVIf. after the Re7JolH^i^n in 1688. 4^9

to be loft, I think my (tM obligeu ko inferc vi here, in Or- -dn. 8^89.
dec to their Satisfaction in the Principles and Pleas oF
the Protefiant Dijfentc-s, who have noc Leifure or Incli-
nation to perufe larger Wricings-

^'Tfaey are under one common Obligation with the ^^^ ^ ^

* reft of Mankind, by the univerfal Law of Nature, oPtbeixi-

* to \VorO?i.p God in AlTemblies. teftant

' Men of all Sorts of F{eliglojis, that have ever obtained DilTenters

* in the fVorldj Jews, Pagans, Mahometans, Chri- refrefentei

* ftians, have in their PraHice acl;nowledg'd this Obliga- and argud

* tion. Nor can it be underftoody how fuch a Pratiicein i68p.

* fbould be fo Vniverjal, othenvi/e than from the Dictate
' and Imfrejfion of the Vniverfal Law.

* Whereas the Religion profeft in England, is that

* of Reformed Chriftianity, fome Things are annexed
' to the allowed Publick Worfliip, which are acknow-

* ledged to be no Parts thereof nor in themfelves ne-

* celTary ; but which the Dijf enters judge to be in fome
f Fart fmfuL

* They cannot therefore with good Confcience to-

* wards God, attend wholly and folely upon the Pub-
' lick Worlhip which the Laws do appoint.

* The fame Laws do ftricftly forbid their Affem-

* bling to Worftiip God otherwife.

* PVaich is in EjfeH the fame Things as if they who

* made, or (kail continue fuch Laws, fhould plainly fay,

* if you will not Confenl with us in our fupcradded I\iteSy

* and Modes f againft your Confcienccs, you fhall not H^^or^

* fhip God: Or if you will not accept of our additions to

* the Chrifiian B^ligion, you (hall not be Chrifiians ; and
' manifeftly tends to reduce to Paganifm a great Part of a

* Chrifiian Nation,

' They have been wont therefore to meet however
' in Diftindt AlTemblies, and to Worlhip God in a

* Way which their Confciences could approve ; and

* have many Years continued fo to do, otherwife than
I as they have been hindred by Violence.

It is therefore upon the whole fit to enquire,

Queft, I. * Whether they are to be blam'd for

* their holding Diftind Meetings for the Worlhip of
JGod?

' For

43 o Some Hifiorkal Additions Chap. XVI f.

_^___^__^_^____^_. — »

An. i6B^. * For Anfwer to this, it cannot be expedted that all
the Controverfies fliould be here determined, which
have been agitated about the Lawfulnefs of each of
rhofe Things which have been added to theChriftian
Religion and Worlhip, by the prefent Conftitution
of the Church of England.

" But luppofing they were none of them fimply un-
lawful, while yet the mif-inform'd Minds of the Dif-
J^nters could not judge them lawful, tho' they have
made it much their Bufinefs to enquire and fearch ;
being urg'd alfo by fevere Sufferings ; which thro*
a long Tra6i: of Time they have undergone, not to rc-
fufe any Means that might tend to ih^ir Satisfaction ;
they could have nothing elfe left them to do, than to
meet and woiihip diftindly as they have.

* For they could not but erteem the Obligation of the
XJnive^f'iK Naturaiy Divine Laxv^ by which they Were
bound folemnly to worfhip God, Icfs queftionable than
tl).it of a L/n?, which was only Poficivc, Topical 2Lnd
Humane^ requiring fuch and fuch Additaments to
their Worfhip, and prohibiting their Worlhip with-
out them.

* The Church of England ( as that Part affects to be
caird ) diftinguifh'd from the reft by thofe Additio-
nal to Chriftian Religion (pretended to be indif-
ferent, and fo confefsM unneceiTary ) hath not only
fought to engrofs to it felf, the Ordinances of Divine
H^orfhip, but /ill Civil Power, So that the Priviledges
that belong either to Chriftian or Humane Society are
inclofed, and made peculiar to fuch, as are diftin-
guirti'd by Things that in themfelves can fignifie no-
thing to the making of Perfons cither better Chri-
ftians, or better Men.

Queft, z. ' Whether the Laws enjoining fuch Addi-
tions to our Religion, as theexclufive Terms of Chri-
ftian Worlhip and Communion, ought to have been
made ; when it is acknowledged on all Hands, the
Things to be added, were before not necelfary ; and
when it is known, a great Number judge them fin-
ful, and muft thereby be reftrain'd from worlhipping
the true and living God ?

yh ' The Queftion to any of common Senfe, An-

fwcrs it felf. For it is not put concerning fuch as

[ diflcnt from any Part of the Subftance of Worlhip

! which

Chap. XVll. after the Revolutionin 1688. 43

* which God hath commanded ; but concerning fuch -dn, 1689.

* Additions as he never commanded. And there are

* fufficient Tefts to diftinguilh fuch Dijfenters^ from
' thofe that deny any Subftantial Part of Religion, or

* affert any Thing contrary thereto. Wherefore to for-

* bi^ fuch to worfhip that God that made them, be-

* caufe they can't receive your devifed Additions, is to
' exchide that which is necejjary^ for the meer want of
' that which is unnecejfnry.

^ And where is that Man that wilj adventure to

* ftand forth, and avow the hindering of fuch Perfons
' from paying their Homage to the God that made

* them ? If we thus expoftulate the Matter on God's be-

* half and their own ? Will yoa cut off from God hif.

* B^ght in the Creatures he hath made ? Will you cut

* off from them the Means of their Salvation upon thcfe

* Terms ? What Reply canihe Matter admit?

' *Tis commonly alledg'd, that great Deference is to
^ be paid to the Laws ; and that we ought to have for-

* born our Aifemblies, till the PabHck Authority re-

* called the Laws againft them. And we will fay the
^ fame Thing, when it is well prov'd, that they who
' made fuch Laws made the World too.

* And by whofe Authority were fuch 1 aws made ?

* is there any that is not from God ? And hath God gi-
'^ ven any Men Authority to make Laws againft him-
' felf, and to deprive him of his juji Bights from his

* own Creatures ?

' Nor if the Matter be well fearch'd into, could

* there be fo much as a Pretence of Authority derived
' for fuch Purpofes from the People, whom every one

* now acknowledges the Firfi P^eceftncle of derived

* governing Power. God can, 'tis true, lay indifpu-

* table Obligation by his known Laws, upon every

* Confcience of Man about Religion, or any Thing elfe.

* And fuch as reprefent any People, can according to

* the Conftitution of the Government, make Laws for

* them, about the Things they entruft them with.*

* Biit if the People of England be asked Man by Man,

* will they fay, they did entruft to their ^eprefenta-
' fives, their J^ligion, and their Confciencei, to do with
^ them what they pleafe .> When it is your own Turn
I to be lepiefented by others, is this Part of the Truft

432 Some HiHoricdl Addit'wnf Chap. XVI I.

An. 1689.

Vindication
of fame
Proteftqnt
TrincifUs^
&C.p. 52.

^ Aihy
Numi
from his
Egeria.
And their
Trie/ts to
Tffhom the
Regulation
of fuch
Matters
9pas left^
were gene-
ally ^e-
liey''d to be
inffifd.

you commit? What Dr. S/^c> /or/; worthily fays, con-
cerning a Bilhop, he might (and particularly, after,
doth ) fay concerning every other Man, He can be no
more reprcfeutcd in a Council, than at the Day of Jvdg"
ment ; every Man's Soul and Confcience mufl be in bis ovpn
Keepings and can be rcprefentcd by no Man. •

' It ought to be coniidered, that Chriftianity, where-
in it fuperadds to the Law of Nature, is all Matter
of Revelation. And 'tis well known, that even a-
mong Pagans in the fettling Rites and Inftitutes of
Religion *, Revelation was pretended at leaft, upon
an imply'd Principle, that in fuch Matters Humane
Power could not oblige the Peoples Gonfciences.
' We muft be excufed therefore, if we have in our
Practice exprefs'd lefs Reverence for Laws made by
no Authority received either from God or Man.
' We are therefore injurioufly reflcdled on, when
it is imputed to us, that we have by the Ufe of our
Liberty, ackowledg'd an illegal difpenfing Power.
We have done no other Thing herein than we did
when no Dilpenfation was given or pretended, in
Confcience of Duty to him that gave us our Breath.
Nor did therefore Pradtife otherwife, becaufe we tho't
thofe Laws difpenfed with, but becaufe we tho't them
not Laws.

' Whereupon little need remains of enquiring far-
ther.

Quefl, 3. * Whether fuch Laws Ihould be continued ?
* Againft which, befides what may be colle(5ted
from that which hath been faid, it is to be confi-
der'd, that what is moft principally grievous to us,
was enacted by that Parliament, that as we have
too much Reafon to believe, fuffer'd it felf to be
dealt with, to enflave the Nation in other Refpedis,
as well as this ; and which (to his immortal Ho-
nour ) the Noble Earl of Danby procured to be dif-
folved, as the firft Step towards our National Deli-
verance.

' And let the Tenor be confider'd of that horrid
Law, by wh ch our Magna Chart a 'WTL'i torn in Pieces |
the worft and moft infamous of Mankind, at our
own r.yi cp("e^ hired 10 accufe us ; Multitudes of
Perjuric^ -.'.mitted; Convi£lions made without a
Jury, and wiuiout any hearing of the Perfons accu-

' fed

Chap. XVIL after the Revolntion in i6%d, 4:55

icd Penalties; inflidted ; Goods rifled ; Eftates feized ^«. 1689.
and embezl'd • Houfes broken up ; Families difturb'd
often at moft unfeafonabJe Hours of the Night, with-
out any Caufe, or Shadow of a Caufe, if only a ma-
licioas Villain would pretend to fufpe(5t a Meering
there. No Law in any other Cafe like this. As if
to worfhip God without thofe Additions, which were
corifeft unnecetfary, were a greater Crime tiian Thefr,
Felony, Murder or Treafon ! Is it for our Reputation
to Polterity, that the Memory of fuch a Law Ihould
be continued ?

' And are we not yet awakenM, and our Eyes open d
enough to fee, that the Making and Execution of the
Laws, by which we have fuffer'd fo deeply for many
by-paft Years, was only, that Protellants might de-
ftroy Proteftants, and the eafier Work be made for
the IntrodiKftion of Popery, that was to deftroy *
ihe Relidue ?

* Nor can any Malice de«y, or Ignorance of obferv-
ing Englifk Men over look this plain Matter of Fadt :
After the Diflblution of that before mentioned Parlia-
ment, Diflenters were much carefled and endea-
voar'd to be drawn into a Subferviency to the Court
DefignSj efpecially iii the EIe<£tion of after Parlia-
ments. Notwithitanding which they every where
fo entirely and unanimoufly fell in with the fober
Part of the Nation, in the Choice of fuch Perfons for
the three Parliaments that next fucceeded, (two held
at tVejiminfler^ and that at Oxford) as it was known
would, and who did moft generoufly alfert the Li-
berties of the Nation, and the Proteftant Religion.
Which alone, ( and not our meer DilTent from the
Church of Englnfid in Matters of Religion, wherein
Charles 11. was fiifficiently known to be a Prince of
great Indifferency ) drew upon u"?, foon after the
'Diflblucion of the laft of thofe Parliaments, that
dreadful Siorm of Perfecution, that deftroyed not a
fmall Number o^ Lives in Goals, and ruin'd Multi-
tudes of Families.

* Let Eyiglifh Freemen remember, what they cannot
but know, that it was for our firm Adherence to the
Civil Interefts of the Nation (not for our different
Modes of Religion from the Legal Way, tho' the Laws

* gave that Advantage againft us, which they did not

F f * againft

434 Some Hi fieri cal Additions Chap. XV II.

An. 1689.

againft orhers) chat we endur'd the Calamities of fo
many Years.

* "When by the lace King fome Relaxation was gi-
ven us, what Arcs and Infinuations have been us'd
with us, to draw us into a Concurrence to Defigns
tending co the Prejudice of the Nation ? And with
how little EfFedl upon the generality of us, it muft
be great Ignorance not to know, and great Injuftice
to deny.

* But he that knows all Things, knows that tho' in
fuch Circumrtances, there was no Opportunity for
our receiving Publick and authoriz'd Promifes,
when we were all under the Eye of watchful Jea-
loufy ; yet as great AlTurances as were poflible, were
given us by fome that we hope will now remember
ir, of a future eftabliih'd^ Security from our former
PrefTures. We were told over and over, when the
Excellent Beer Fage/ts Letter came to be privately
communicated from Hand to Hand, how eafily better
Things would be had for us, than that encourag'd
Papjjis to cxpedt, if ever that happy Change fhould
be brought about, which none have now beheld with
greater Joy than we.

* We are loth to injure thofe who have made us hope
for better, by admitting a Sufpicion that we Ihall
now be difappointed and deceived (as we have for-
merly been, and we know by whom ) or that we
fhall fuffer from them a I{eligioiis SUvery, for whofe
Sakes we have fuffer'd fo grievous Things, rather than
do the leaft Thing that might tend to the bringing
upon itiem a Civil Slavery,

* We cannot but expedt from Bnglijh Men, chat they
be jutt and true. We hope not to be the only Inftan-
ces, whereby the Anglica Fides and the Punier, fhall
be tho'r all one.

* But if we who have conftantly defir'd, and as we
have had Opportunity, endcavour'd the faving of
the Nation, muft however be ruin'd, not to greatcn
(one Hair) the Wealth and Dignity, but only to gra-
tifie the Humour of them who would yet deftroy
it; we who are competently inurM to Sufferings,
(hall thro' God's Mercy be again enabled to endure:
But he that fits in the Heavens, will in his own
Time ']ud^ our Caufe, and we will wait his Piea-

* furc ;

Chap. XVH. afrerthe Revalfith.tin x6S3. _ 435

fure, and We hope furfer all that can b^ influitl'^, 4«- i^8p.
rather than betray the Cauie of.ReformaJ Chriitiahicy ,
in the WorM.

* But our Affairs arc in the Handiof Men of Worth
and Honour, who 'apprehend how liccie grattfuj ' a
Name they fliould leav.e to Poderity, or obtain, now
with good Men of any PejrTwafion, if under a Pre-
tferice of Kindne/s to us,' they Ihould now repeat the •
'Arts of ill Men tfi' an ill Time. Great Minds will
think it beneath them to fport thernfelves-with their
own Cunning in deceiving oth^r Men, which were
really in the prefent Cafe coo thni not to be fcen
through, and may bt the eafi,e At^tainment of any .
Man, that hath enough of Opportunity, and Integrity,
little enough, for I'uch Purp' fes. , And 'cis as much
tbo grbfs' to endeavour to abufe the Ai^orfty of a
Nation, by going about to make that otoop to fd
tiiean a Thing, as to niake a Shew of intending vvhaE
they relolve to their uttermoft ihall never be.

' But fome may think by" Concellions to, us^ the
Church of Etigland will be ruin'd, and a greaic Ad-
vantage be given 10 the bringing in of Popery..,

* To which we fay, the Generality, of the Diffenters
differ from the Church of England^ in no ^.yibOan- •
tials of Do(5lrine and Worfhip, no nor of Go v'er^-jqxent;^ ..
provided ic be fo managed, as' to attain it^-t^u,^ ac-
knowledged End ; the favouring of lis therefore will
as muchriuii th^ Church, a^ its Enlargement and ad^ .
ditionai Strerigth will fignifie to its Ruin. .. .. .' '

"' And doth' "not the' Wprld^knoA/v^ that wherein we
.'cfifFer froiVi them,' we' differ from'the 'P.^;'//?fCOQ? And
that for the 'niolt Part,' v^hercjih they differ from us,^
they feem to agree with therh ?

,,* W§ acknowledge their Strong, Brgve and Profpe-

tous Oppofition'co Popery: But they'have oppos'd it

by the Things , wherein they ag?ee with us ;" their

Differences frorri us are no more a. bence againft Popery^

than an In'clofure of Strawis againila.Flame of Fire.

' But 'tis wont to be faid, we agree not among out?

felves, . and know not what we would have.

. * And do all that go under the Name of the Church

oi Ev^land agree among them ielves .> Wc can Ihew

more cdojSderabre t)ifagreements anaong them, than

tny can tetween the moift of us, and a confiderablc

" ' Ff 2 r Pars

456 Some Hlflorkal Addition. Chap, XVII.

An- 1689.

Part ot them. They all agree 'tis true in Conformity :
And we all agree in Nonconformity ; And is not this
meerly accidental to Chriftianity and Proteltantifm ?
and herein is it not well known, that far the greater
Part of Reformed Chriftendom do more agree with
us ?

' An arbitrary Line of Uniformity, in fome little
Accidents, fevers a fmall Part of the Chriftian World
from all the reft : How unreafonably is it expeded,
that therefore all the reft muft in every Thing elfe a-
gree among themfelves ? Suppofe any imaginary
Line to cut off a little Segment from any Part of
the Terrettrial Globe, 'tis as juftly expedled that all
the reft of the Wc^rld fhould be of one Mind. If one
Part of EngUnd be Taylors, they migiit as well ex-
pect: ihat all the People befides (hould agree to be of
one Profeflfen.

* Perhaps fome imagine it dilhonourable to fuch as
have gone before them in the fame Ecclefiaftical Sta-
tions and Dignities, if now any Thing fhould be al-
tered, which their Judgments, did before approve and
think fit.

* But we hope that Temptation will not prove in-
vincible, vi:{. of fo cxceflive a Modefty as to be afraid
of feeming "Wifer or better Katur'd, or of a more
Chriftian Temper than their Predeceffors.

* But the moft of us do agree not only with one
another, but in the great Things above mentioned
with the Church of EngUnd too ; And in ftiort, that
the Reproach may ceafe for ever with thofethat count
it one ; they will find with us, when they pleafe to
try, a very extensive Agreement on the Terms of
King Charles II, his Declaration about EccleHaftical
Aflfairs, Anno 1660.

Q^ieji. 4. * Whether it be reafonablc to exclude, all

that in every Thing conform not to the Church of

Eno/anJ, from any Part or Share of the Civil Power ?

* The Difference or Nonconformity of many is fo

Minute, that it would be as reafonable to exclude

all whofe Hair is not of this or that Colour.

' And what if we lliould make a Dif-termination, by

the Dccifion this Way or that of any other difputcd

Qiicftion, that may be of as fmtll Concernment to

Reiigion ? Suppofe it be that of eating Blood ; for

*the

Ghap. XVH, after the Revolution in 1688. 457

the Deciiion whereof, one Way, there is more pre- -^«« 1689.
tence from God's Word, than for any Point of the
difputed Conformicy : Would it not be a wife Con-
ftitution, i:heit whofoevcr thini^s it lawful to eat Blacky"
Puddingy Jhc.ll he capable of no Ojffice ? Sec.

* But we tremble to think of the Exclufive S/icramen-
tal T^, brought down as low
as to the Keeper of an Ale-houfe.

* Are all fit to approach the Sa-
cred Table, whom the fear of
Ruin, or hope of Gain may
bring thither? We cannot but
often remember with Horror,
what happened three or four
Years ago : A Man that led an
ill Life, but frequented the
Church, wa? obferved not to
come to the Sacrament, ^nd
preftby the Officers to come ; he
yet declined knowirig himfelf
unfit ; at length being threatned
and terrified came : But faid to
fome prefent at the Time of that
folemn Adlion, that he came on-
ly to avoid being undone, and
took them to Witnefs that what
he^ere receiv'd, he took only
as common Bread and Wine,
not daring to receive them as
the Body and Blood of Chrift.
'Tis amazing, that among Chri-
ftians, fo venerable an Inititution fhould be proftitu-
ted to the ferving of fo mean Purpofes, and fo fo-
reign to its true End I A^nd chat doing it afcer the
Manner of the Church of England muft be the Qua-
lification ! As if England were another Chriftendom ;
or it were a greater Thing to conform in every Pun-
ctilio CO the Rules of this Church than of Chrift
himfelf!

* But vye would fain Ijjnow whofe is that Holy Ta-
ble ? Is it the Table of th;s or that Party, or the
Lord's Tabled If the Lord's, are not Perfonsto be ad-
mitted or excluded upon his Terms ? Never can
there be Union or Peace in the Chriftian World, till

Ffa \m

* A Certain warm hut namt-
lefs High church Triend^ wha
was pitas d lately to fayour me
with a Facie t of Remarks and
Obfervations^ asks me. Why I
will repeat fuch a Notorious
Lie as this ? and whether 1 ever
knew one Inftance of it ? Andin
his free and familiar Way^ he bids
me for Shame leave this out in
my next Edition. But I have no$
feen Reafon to follow his Advice.
The Faper feems to me to /peak
a great deal of Reafon. And
far an Infiance of debarring Pcr-
fons from felling Ale ffithout
taking the Sacrament^ I refer
\ny Admonljher to the Tarip) of
St. Giles Cripple-gate, and the
pjflurbance which the prefent
worthy Biffjqp of Gloucefter met
with there, a few Years be*
fore this Paper was written ; of
which the World has bad an Af'
iount in Print.

^]8 Some-Hifii/ncdl Addit'ims Chap. XVH.

Jin. idSp. * vve cake dawn our arbitrary Inclofuces, and content
/ Qurfclves with thofe which our common Lord hath

* ^le^..' If (le fells under a Curfe that alters .Mens

* Land- Marks, to alrer God's is ijot likely to infer a

* Bitiilng.

.' The Matter is clear as the Light of the Sun, -that

* as inany Perfons ,oF excellent Worth, vSobriecy and
' Godlinefs, are entirely in the Communion of. the

* Church ot Evglnnd j fo that there are too many -of'-a

* ^vorfe Character that are of it too 5 a^d divers Pju-

* dent, Pious and Sober minded Perfons that ar^ not

* of it. Let common Reafon be confulted in ihis

* Cafe ; fuppofd the Tables turn'd, and that the Riile
•• wtre to be made the contrary Way, vi:{. That to do

* this Thing, but not by any Means afcer the Manner
' of the Church of England^ were to be the Quahfica-

* tion j and now fuppofe one of meaner Endowments,

* as a Man and a Chriftian, do what is requir'd, and
' not in the Way of the Church of Englnnd ; another

• .'V * that is of much better, do the fame Thing in that

* Way ; were it fuiuable to Prudence or Juftice, i;hat

* becaufe it is done after the Way of the Church, of

* Ergl'and^ a fitter Man Ihould be reckon d unqualifi-
' ed ? And one of lefs Value be taken for quahfied

* becaufe he does it a different Way ? Then is all that

* folid Weight of Wifdom, Diligence, Sobriety and

* .Gocdnefs, to be weighed down by a Feather. : '

* It mufk furely be tho't the Prudence of any Go-
' vernment, to comprehend as many ufeful Perfons as

* it can, and no more to deprive it felf of the Service

* of fucb, for any Thing lefs confiderable than tbofe
Qualifications are, by which they are ufeful, than a

* Man would tear off from himl'clf the Limbs of his
' Body for a Spot upon the Skin.

'And really if in our Circumfiances, we thus nar-

* row our Intertft, all the reft of the World will fay,
^ that they who would deflroy ns, do yet find a Way
^ to be our lnJ[lru<ftors, and our common Enemies da
*" teacli us our Politicks.

K 5. ' The Namesof Mr. H^/^of£4riJ«Co//^4?^, and
' of a later moft renowned Bifliop of the Church of
' Ejiglahd^ who affertcd ihis Principle, That if Things pc
*.i?7ifo:\{ under the Notion of inditfcrcnt^ which many

thinli

Chap. XVIL after the Revolution in 1 68^. 439

* think^ Sinful J and a Schifm follovo thereupon, the bn- An. 1689.

* fofers are the Schifinaticks 5 will be great in £«/,-

* land as long as their Writings fhall live, and good

* Senfe can be underftood in them.' Thus far the
Paper.

His Majefty in one of his Speeches to theTwoHoufes of the sa-
told thenn, he hbfd they would leave [{pom for the admif- mental
fionof all Proteftants that were willing and able to Jerve Teft.
him, which was a Thing would tend to the better unitirg
them among themfelves, and the flrengthning them agaivft
their common Adverfaries, * Pur»

fuant hereto vjhtnthe Aa for the ^ ^j^^ ^^ ^.^^^^ ^f

abrogating of the Oaths of Alle- £„^/^„^^ ^,/. 3 ^ 518, hereob-
glance and Supremacy, and appoint- y,,^,,^ ^;,^^ ^;,^ Arciibiihop and
ing other Oaths ^ was read a Second Bifliops, and many of the Clergy
Time in the Houfe of Lords : A had been fo addicted to the hi<^h

Claufe was ordered to be brought Notions of Paffwe Obedience,

in, to take away the NeceiSity of Norx-refiftance, and the Divine

receiving the Sacrament, to make Right of an Hereditary Monar-

a Man capable of having an Of- "^^'Y^ ^'^^^ ^''^ ^«^«^ "°^ '^°^ ^^

fice. Such a Claufe being after- reconcUe the Kcvoluuon to thofe

wards reported to the Houfe, was ^-'f^^ f ;«f ^7' r """^t^'T

- n 1 /^ X X - • i_ » Keafon tho' they hM earneji/y de-

rqeded by a great Majority, tho ^^, j ^^^^ ^^^J^ ^„^.„ .^ ,„^ ;,,^

the Lords Delamere, Stamford, theChiefofthemaddnfUtohim,

North and Grey, Chejierfield, mjar- ^^ter he was come, to take the Ad-

ton^ Lovelace, and Vaughan, in- mlnifirathn of Affairs upon him-,

lifted, * That an hearty Union a- yet as if they would have hira

mong Proreftants, was a greater their Redeemer, without bein^

Security to the Church and State, their Froteeior, they did not care

than any Teft that could be in- to M ^^y Allegiance to him, mv

vented: That this Obligation to ^^ ^^^o^^^e their obligations te

receive the Sacrament, was a ^'^J^mes. This Eoc ample of

Teft on the Proreftants, rather '^'' ^^f f^^ '^"^ ^^'^-^^ " ^

■ t, 1 n -n T-r vreat Influence on many other

than on the Papifts : That as Ir,^,^,,,^/,/,, church of Eng-
long as It was continud, there j^^^ . ^„^ -^ ^^, ^heir Difaf-

could not be that hearty and feaion, that made the King more

thorough Union among Pro- inclinable to favour DillcrKers,

teftants, as had always been wh-.m he generally looked upon as

Wiflied, and was at this Time better affefied to his Ferfon and

indifpenfibly necelfary. And Tit/e.
Laftly, That a greater Caution
ought not to be required from fuch as were admitted
into Offices, than from the Members of the Two

F f 4 ! Houfes

440 Some Hiftortcal Additions Chdp. XVll.

An- 1689.* Houfes of Parjiamenr, who are not obliged to receive

* the Sacrnment, to enable thtm to fie in either Houfe.

But atrer this, another Claiifc was inferted by the
Court Party in the atorefaid Bill, by which it was
provided, that any Man fhouU be fufficientlv ^ualifted
for any Office, Employnicnr, or Place of Truft, who
within a Year before or after his AdmifTion or Entrance
thereinto, did receive the Sacrament of the Lord^s Sup-
per, cither according to the Ufage of the Church of
Evglnnd, or in any other Proteftant Congregation, and
could produce a Cetrilic;ue under the Hands of the
Miniftcr, and two other credible Perfons, Members of
fuch a Proteftant Congregation. The Queftion being
pnt, Whether a Claufe of this Nature Ihould be made
Part of the Bill, it paffed in the Negative. Leave was
given to fuch Lords as would, to enter their Diflenc ;
and fix Lords did enter their DifTent in the Rcifons fol-
lowing.

I. " Becaufe it gives great Part of the Proteftant

* Freemen of England Reafon ro complain of Inequa-
lity and hard Ufage, when they are excluded from
publick Employments by Law : And alfo becaufe it
deprives the King and Kingdom of divers Men, fit
and capable to ferve the Publick in feveral Stations ;
and that for a raeer Scruple of Confcience, which
can by no Means render them fufpedted, much lefs
difaffc^led to the Government.
1 ' Becaufe his Maiefty, as the Common and In-
dulgent Father of iiis People, having exprefs'd an ear-
neft defii'e of Liberty for tender Consciences to his
Proteftant Subje(^s ; and my Lords the Bifhops ha-
ving divers of them, on feveral Occafions profefled
an Inclination to, and own'd the reafonablcnefs of
fnch a Chriftian Temper : We apprehend it will raife
Sufpicion in fome Mens Minds, of fomething cKt
than the Care of Religion, or the Publick, and dif-
ferent from a Dcfign to heal our Breaches, when they
find that by confining Secular Employments to Eccie-
fiaftical Conformity, ihofe are (hut out from Civil
Affairf?, whofe Doclrine and Worlhip may be tolera-
ted by Authority of Parliament, there being a Bill
before us by Order of the Houfe to that Purpofej ef-
pccially when without this cxclufive^ Rigour, the
Church is fecured in. all her Piiviledges and Prefer-

* vatvx

Chap. XVII. after the Revolution in 1688. 441

raenc, no Body being hereby let into them who is An. 1589.
not ftric^ly conformable.

3. ' Becaufe to fet Marks of Diftindiion and Hu-
miliation on any Sort of Men, who have not ren-
dred themfelves juftly fufpeded to the Govern-
ment, as it is at all Times to be avoided by the Makers
of Juft and Equitable Laws, fo may it be particular-
ly of ill EfFec5t to the Reformed Intcreft at Home and
Abroad in this prefent Conjun6lure, which ftands in
need of the united Hands and Hearts of all Prote-
ftants, againft the open Attempts and fecret Endea-
vours of a reftlefs Party, and a potent Neighbour,
who is more zealous than B^me it felf, to plant Po-
pery in thefe Kingdoms, and Labours with the ut-
moft Force to fettle his Tyranny, upon the Ruins of
the Reformation all thro* Europe.

4. * Becaufe it turns the Edge of a Law (we know
not by what Fate) upon Proteftants and Friends to
the Government, which was intended againft Papifts,
to exclude them from Places of Truft, as Men a-
vowedly dangerous to our Government and Religion :
And thus the taking the Sacrament, which was en-
joyned only as a Means to difcover Papifts, is novv
made a diftinguifting Duty amongft Proteftants, to
weaken the whole, by cafting off a Part of them.

5. ' Becaufe Myfteries of Religion and Divine
Worfiiip, are of Divine Original, and of a Nature
fo wholly diftindt from the fecular Affairs of Poli-
tick Society, that they cannot be applied to thofc
Ends ; and therefore the Church by the Law of the
Gofpel, as well as common Prudence, ought to take
care neither to offend tender Confciences within it
felf, nor give Offence to thofe without, by mixing
their Sacred Myfteries with Secular Interefts.

6. ' Becaufe we cannot fee how it can confift with
ihc Law of God, common Equity, or the Right of
any Free-born Subjed, that any one be punilhed
without Crime. If it be a Crime not to take the
Sacrament according to the Ufage of the Church of
Englnnd^ every one ought to be puniflied for it,
which no Body affirms : If it be no Crime, thofe
who are capable and judg'd fit for Employments by
the King, ought not to be puyfli'd, with a Law of

J Ext

442 Some H'ijlorical Additions Chap. XVII*

An. 1689.* Excluiion, for no: doing that which 'tis no Crime

* to forbear.

' If it be urg'd fiill as an efTedtual Teft, to difcover

* and keep oucPapilts; the taking the Sacrament in
*" thefe Pi oteitanc Congregations, where they are Mem-

* bcrs and known, will be ac leaft as effediual to that

* Purpofe.

Subfcribed, OXFORD, J. LOVELACE,
VVHARTQN, MOKDANT, R.MOUNTA-
GUE, W. P;AGET.

On the 4th of April when the Lords had under their
Coniideration, the Reports of the Amendments in the
Bill for uniting their Majeftiss Protejiant Suhjecis, the
Queftion was pur, Whether ro agree with the Com-
mittee in leaving out the Claufe about the indijferency
cf the Pofture at receivivg the Sticrament ? and the Votes
were equal ; and therefore according to Cuftom, it
was caned in the Negative. And the next Day the
Lords refumed ihe Debate of the Report of the faid
Amendfrents, particularly of the Claufe concerning a
Conimiirion to be given out by the King, to the Bifliops
and others of the Clergy, and it was propos'd that
fome Laymen (hoald be added in the Commidion.
The Queftion being hereupon put, the Votes (taking
in the Proxies) were equal, and fo according to
the ufual Rule in fuch Cafes, it was taken for a Nega-
tive. Leave was given to any Lords to enter Diflents,
and accordingly four Lords did enter their Diflents, in
the Reafons enfuing.

I. ' Becaufe the Adi it felf being, as the Preamble
fets forth, defign'd for the Peace of the State, tbe
putting the Clergy into CommiiTion, with a total
Exclufion of the Laity, lays this Humiliation on the
Laity, as if the Clergy of the Church of Englnnd
were alone Friends to the Peace of the State, and
the Laity lefs able, or lefs concerned to provide for it,
i a. ' BecauXe. thi^ Matters to be confidered, being bare-
ly of Humane Conftitmipn, ^>'i\, the Liturgy andCe-
rea.onics of the Church of Ey^gland^ which had their
Eftabli(]ip[ient from King, L©rd« Spiritual and Tem-
por^f, ,and Commons alfembk-d in Parliament, there
can be no Reafon why the CommilTioners for.altering
f any Thing in that Civil Conftitution, Ihould confift

' only

Chap. XVII. after the Revolution in 1688. 440

oiily of Men of one Sort of them ; unlefs it be fup- An- 1689.
pos'd, that Humane Reafon is to be quitted in this
Affair, and the Infpiration of Spiritual Men to be a*
lont depended on.

3. * Becaufe, tho' upon i^owj//^ Principles the Clergy
may have a Title to meddle alone in Matters of Re-
ligion, yet with us they cannot, where the Church
is acknowledged and defined to confift of Clergy and
Laity 5 and fo thofe Matters of Religion which fall
undfer Humane Determination, being properly the
Bufinefs of the Church, belong equally to both ; for
in what is of Divine Inftitution, neither Clergy nor
Laity can make any Alteration at all.

4. * fBecaufe the pretending that Differences and
Delays may arife, by mixing Lay-men with Eccle-
liafticks, to the fruf^rating the Defign of the Com-
n:iiirianj is vain and out of Ddors, unlefs thofe that
make ufe of this Pretence, fuppofe that the Clergy
Part of the Church have diftind Interefts or Defigns
froni the Lay-part of the fame Church, and will be 2
R€afon, if Good, why one or other of them fhould
quit this Houfe, for fearof obftruding theBufinefsof it.

5 . * Becaufe the Conrtmiffion being intended for the
Satisfadion of DiJfenterSj it would be convenient
that Lay-men of different Ranks, nay, perhaps of
different Opinions too, ihould be mixed in it, the
better to find Expedients for that End, rather than
Clergy-men alone of our Church, who are ge-
nerally obferv'd to have all very much the fame Way
of Reafoning and Thinking.

6. * Becaufe it is the moft ready Way to facilitate
the palling the Alterations into a Law, that Lay- ^
Lords and Commoners fhould be joined in the Com-
miflion, who may be able to fatisfie both Houfes of
the Reafons, upon which they were made, and
thereby remove all Fears and Jealoufies, ill Men
may raife up againit the Clergy, of their endeavour-
ing to keep up, without Grounds, a diftind Intereft
from that of the Laity, whom they fo carefully '
exclude from being joined with them, in Confulta-
tions of common Concernment, that they will not
have thofe have any Part in the Deliberation, who
muft have the greateft in d,€termining.

444 Some Hifiorical AddHions Chap. XVII.

An, 1689. 7. * Becaufe fttch a leftrain'd Commiflion lies liable
to this great Objection, that it might be made Ufe
of to elude repeated Promifes, and the prefent gene-
ral Expedtation of Compliance with tender Con-
fciences, when the providing for it is taken out
of the ordinary Courfe of Parliament, to be put
into the Hands of thofe alone, wh6 were lateft in
admitting any need of it, and who may be tho't to be
the more unit to be the fole Compofers of our Diffe-
rences, when they are look'd upon by fome as Parties.
LaAly, ' Becaufe after al], this carries a dangerous
Suppofition along with it, as if the Laity were not
a Part of the Church, nor had any Power to meddle
in Matters of Religion ; a Suppofition direftly oppo-
(ite to the Conftitution both ot Church and State :
Which will make all Alterations utterly impof-
lible, unlefs the Clergy alone be allow'd to have
Power to make Laws in Matters of Religion, fince
what is eftablifli'd by Law cannot be taken away,
but by Confentof Lay-men in Parliament, the Clergy
themfelves having no Authority to meddle in this very
Cafe, in which the Laity is excluded by this Voce,
but what they derive from Lay Hands,

Subfcrib*d, PVINCHESTEIi, MOBPANT,
LOVELACE.

* I Diflent for this and other Reafons ; becaufe it ig
contrary to three Statutes made in the Reign of
Henry VIII, and One in Edward VI, which impower
Thirty two Commiflioners, to alter the Canon and
EccJcfiaftical Law, ^c. whereof Sixteen to be of the
Laity, and Sixteen of the Clergy.

STAMFOHP.

The ji^ for ^^y th« 24th, The A Ft for exempting their Majefties
Liberty of Proteftaut SiibjeBs, Diffenting from the Church of Eng-
Confiienee. land, froyn the Penalties of certain Laws 3 received the
Pvoyal AfTcnr.

It was hereby enacfted, That none of the Penal Laws
to which they before were liable^ fhould thence forward- he
ccnjirued to extend to any Perfons diffenting from the
Church of England, that fhould tak^e the Oaths to the Go-
vernment^

Chap. XVII. after the H evolution 7^ 1 6SS. 445

vernment^ Sec. That all Preachers and Teachers among An. i68p.
them^ taking the Oaths ^ and fubfcribing the Articles of
the Church 0/ England, excepting the i^th^ '-i^fh^ and
36th, and Part of the loth, and Licenfing the L' laces in
which they meet^ and keeping the Doors of fuch Places
unbarr d, and unbolted, fhould have free Liberty to VQor~
fhip God according to their Confcien-

cei, ^ * And that vehofoever fhould ^ Trt^emy Tears after the paf-
come into any of their Congregations., flng of this AB^ it became a
and give them Difturbancc^ ormifuje Quefiion, whether it ti> as a To-
aiiy Preashcr or Teacher, upon Proof leration or not. Vr. Sachevetel
given before a '^ujiice of Peace by Two ''^ould by no Means allow it ^ andit
or more PVitneJfes^ foould find Txvo ^''' ^he Sccor.d of Tour Articles
Sureties to be bound by I{ecogni:(at?ce ^P°^ ^^''^h he was ImpeacFd^
in the Penal Sum 0/50/. and in De- f"" l'"' ^'^""^ Indulgence or To-
fault of fuch Sureties be committed to ^''f'' ^['^^'^^ !' D:f enters, m
n T \'it /- / r\ . Order to the uniting Trote ft ants in

Pnfon, till next General or Quarter ,„,^^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^ ^^^ y

Seffions, when upon Conviaton they j,-^ reprefentcd as unrcafonabie,
fhould ftiffer the Penalty of 20 I. ^„^ ^/,, allowance of It as un-
&C. And that all fuch Preachers warrantable : And he was char^'d
and Teachers in feparate Congregations with ajferting, that he is a falfe
fhould be thenceforth exempted, from Brother with 'Relation to Cod, Re-
ferving upon any Jury, or from beiyig Ugion^ or the Churchy who defends
chcfen or appointed to bear the Offce Toleration or liberty of Con-
of Church-warden, Overfeer of the p'^»^e.
Pcor^ or any other Parochial or H-^ard

Office.^ or other Office in apy Hundred of any Shire, City, Town^
Parifh, Divifion or Wapentake^ 8cc.

From that Time they were eafie and thankful ; tho'
many of them would have been glad to have been taken
into the National Eftablilhment ; fome Hopes of which
were flill left them, becaufe there was a Bill for that
Purpofe yet depending in Parliament, which pafs'd the
Houfe of Lords; and when it came down to the Houfe
of Commons, they defir'd his Majefty to fummon a
Convocation, and lay the Matter before them.

Dr. Nichols * tells us, that while this Bill was de- * Appa-
pcnding, Dr. Tillotfon who was then Chaplain to ^^^' i^
King Willliam^ perfwaded the King to take another Det.Eccier.
Method, in order to the accompiifhing his De- ^^" ^* ^''
fires. And he fays, that in Order to it, be reminded
him of the unhappy Jeft often caft upon the Reforma-
tion by the B^manijis, becaufe it was owing to a
Parliamentary Authority ; And mov'd that no farther

Occafion

44^ Some Hi(ior I cal Additions Chap. XVII.

jSjt. i58p. Occafion might be given to a Charge of that Narurc.
He intimated that that Matter was fitter to be referred
to an Ecclefiafticai Synod, whofe Determinations in
the Cafe would be more agreeable totheCleigy, and
be more Religioufly obferv'd by the People ta(j. Ad-
ding, that for fear of delay if fuch an Affair Ihould be
put into toT many Hands, it would be beft (as had. been
prac^is'd formerly,) for the King by his Letters Pa-
tents, to Authorize a fele(5t Number of Learned Di-
vines, to meet together and debate, and confuit about
the propereft Methods of healing the Wounds of the
Church, and fixing a durable Peace : That fo what they
agreed upon being laid before a Synod, might firil have
their Approbation, and then have a Parliamentary San-
dlion. And he fays that it was upon his Advice, that
the King fummon'd a Convocation, and iffu'd out alfo
a Commiflion to Thirty Divines, to prepare Matters to
be laid before them. I doubt, however, that he after-
wards faw Occafion to repent of this Advice : And am
well alTar'd that it is the wifli of many, (not to fay 'twas
afterwards his) that when the next fit Opportunity arrives
for fuch an healing Attempt, (the proper Method for which
is plain enough whenever Perfons are really willing to
purfue it) it may be taken with more vigour and lefs
Formality. The Reformation had never been brought
about had it been left to a Convocation ; nor will our
• Breaches be ever heal'd but by a true Englilh Parliament.
And let but them fct about it in earneft, and they'l do
it with eafe, as far as is neceflary ; ftill leaving Men
a Liberty to judge for thcmfelves, without being liable
to any Hard (hip or Severity. Accordingly the King
fumm.on'd a Convocation ; and iflued out alfo another
Commilfion to Thirty Divines to prepare Matters to be
confider'd by the Convocation. The Commifiion was
as follows:
The m-ttf *' Whereas the Particular Forms of Divine Wor-
Ecclefafil' " fhlp, and the Rites and Ceremonies appointed to be
cal Com- " usM therein, being Things in their own Nature in-
mijjion. " different and alterable, and fo acknowledged ; it is
" but reafonable, that upon weighty and important
Confiderations, according to the various Exigencies
of Times and Occafions, fuch Changes and Alterations
lliould be made therein, as to thofe, that are in Place

r~ *'and

it

Chap. XVII. after the Revolntion in i68S. 447

il

c<

((

and Authority, ihonld from Time 10 Time Teem ^«. 1689.
either Necefiary or Expedient,
" And whereas rhe Book of Canons is fit to be re-
viewed, and made more fuitable to the State of the
" Church ; and whereas there are Defedls and Abufes
*' in the Ecclefiaftical Courts and Jmifdiiflions ; and
** particularly there is not fufficient Frovifion made for
" the "removing of fcandalous Minifters, and for the
" Reforming of Manners either in Minifters or People:
*' And whereas it is moft fit that there Ihould be a ftri£l
*' Method prefcrib'd for the Examination of fuch Per-
" fons as defire to be admitted into Holy Orders, both
** as to their Learning and Manners.

" "We therefore out of our Pious and Princely Care
*' for the good Order and Edification, and Unity of
the Church of Englnnd, committed to our Charge
** and Care ; and for the reconciling as much as is polli-
" ble, of all Diiferences among our good Subjects, and
to take away all Occafion of the like for the Future,
have thought fit to Authorize and Empower you, ^c.
" And any Nine of you, whereof Three to be Bi(hops,
'^ to meet from Time to Time, as often as ihall be
** needful, and to prepare fuch Alterations of the Li-
" turgy, and Canons, and fuch Propofals for the Re-
" formation of Ecclefiaftical Courts, and to confider
" of fuch other Matters as in your Judgments may m»oft
" conduce to the Ends above-mentioned.

Ten of the Commiflioners were then Bifhops ; V7\,
Dr. Lamplugb Archbifhop of Tork^ ■■ Dr. Ccmyton^ Dr.
Mew^ Dr. Lloyd, Dr. Sprr.t, Dr. Smirh^ Sir Jonathan
Trelauny^ Dr. Burnet, Dr. Humfreys, and Dr. Stratford*
who were the Bilhops of London^ PT^inchcFrer, St. Ajnph^
^cheHer, Cnrlijle, Exeter, Sdisht-iry^ Bnngor, and Che-
fler. Twenty other Dignitaries were added to them :
As, Dr. Stilihigfleet, Dr. Pntikk., DT.Tillotfon, Dr. M?^-
got. Dr. Shnrp, Dr. KJdder, Dr. Aldridge, Dr. Jatic,
Dr. Hall, Dr. Beaumont, Dr. Mountague, Dr. Goodman^
Dr. Beveridge, Dr. Bnttely, Dr. Alfion^ Dr. Tennifon,
Dr. Scot, Dr. Fowler, Dr. Grove, and Dr. iVilUams.

ThefeCommiffioners often met and debated Mat-
ters, but were Deferred by Dr. Janc^ and feveral others.
They drew up fundry Alterations ; an exad: iCopy of
which I once had, bat unhappily and irrecoverably ioii
by lending it out. But thus much I ihall venture to fay,

that

44 8 Some Hiftorical AdditioHs Chap. XVII.

uin. 1689. that fach Ammendments as thofe were, with fach an

Allowance in the Point of Orders, for Ordination by

Presbyters, as is made 13 Z;//:^. Cap. 12*; would in all

* ^^ Pi;:f)bability have bro't in Two Thirds of the Dijfenters

unTrnown ^" England. Which being done, and at the fame Time

Ui^jj a Liberty continu'd to fuch as could not be Comprchend-

church ed, would have been greater Service to Religion than

Friend, in can eafily be imagin'd f ,

hvi Packet Many

of Hints

to me, which I have teferf'i to, once and again before, calls it a prevarica-
ting with God and Man to wreft the Aft of 13 Eliz. to Ordinations by
Presbyters. He tells me that I know that that Statute was made to oblige
all Priefts, who had been Ordain'd by Popilh Bilhops to Siibfcvibe the
Articles ; And that Presbyterian Ordination was not then tho't off, ^Jrc
27;o* / was far from knowing or believing any fuch Thing, yet the Gentle
man being fo yery confident, I took the pains once more to read the ASl over ;
find all that I can find there is, that Subfcription to the Doctrinal Articles.
ii recjutr'd of all in Tojfeffion of Livings by the Chri/imasDay next following^
and that fuch Subfcribers which way foevef Ordain d, were admitted to Offi-
ciate in the Chmzh of England as Minlfiers, e^c. And I find that Fuller
in his Chufch Hiflory, upon that very Tear, declares that this Afi was made
with refpeCl to the Nonconformifls. Tho* it was favourable to them, if com-
pard with what is now requlr,d, when to capacitate for a Livings not only
Epifcnpal Ordination is re^uird, and a Subfcription to the Articles, but alfo
a Subfcription, and an AJfent and Confent, to all and every Thing contained
in the Book of Common Prayer, and the Btok of Ordering Bifhops, Priefis and
Deacons, &c. wlicreln are confiderable DoCirinal Additions, and the fuppoft'
tion of the Jure Divino, of the Three Orders, of Bifhops, Priefls, and Deacons
amon<^ the refl. And tho this Gentlemen is pleas d to tell me that Presbyte-
rian Ordination was not then thot of, yet if he" I take the pains to look intCt
Air. Strype'i Hifiory of the Life and ASis of Blffjop Grindal, he I find in the
Appendix, Numb. 17, a Copy of a LIcenfe granted to one John Morrifon a
Sirotdi Alan, to Preach and Adminifter Holy Things throughout the Province of
Canterbury, tho' this John Morrifon (a^ the Licenfe takes notice^ was only
Ordain'' d in Scotland, in the way of the Presbyterians ; which fort of Ordina-
tion ( and they had 7to other in Scotland j Is exprcfy approved in the Vcenfe.

t This faying of mine is partic:4larly taken notice of by Mr. Ollyffe, in hii
Epiple Dedicatory to his Defence of Minifterial Conformity ^ and by Mr.
Hoadly in his Brief Defence of Epifcopal Ordination; and alfo by the
Compjeat Hiflory of England, yd. 7,. f. 5$2. And I mufi own I never
yet faw Reafon to retraCh it. Tor though the Gentlemen of the Church of
England fomwo»/j y>y of the Dijfenters, that they don't know what would
fathfy them, yet they have been often told, Bifhop Ufhers Model and King
Charles the Seconds Declaration would fatisfy them. Hay King Charles's
Declaration alone confirmed by ACl of Parliament, and reduc'd to Pra^ice^
would have bid fair for brin^in^ in Fifteen Huntfted of the Two Thoufand

Minlfiers

Chap. XVII. after the Revolution in 1 68?^ . 449

Many being fo defirous to be inform'd as to this ^^. 1^89.
Matter, I (hall pick up what Light I can about it. And
firft the Bifhop of Snrum * gives us this Account. 'In "^ in hit
' the Reign of King James thofe of the Church, who Triennial
faw the P/J/i/?^ drawing in the Dijjenters to concur ^'Matton
with them, in taeir Defigns againO the Church, appli- ^^■'^''^e.
ed to the then Prince of Oranve^ defiring him to make ^"- ^ 7^4-
ufe" of his Intereft in them, for diverting them from
that : And in thofe Letters which are yet extant, Af-
furances were given, that the Church was then in fuch
a Temper, and fo well convinced of former Errors,
that if ever flie got out of that Diftrefs, all ihofe Dif-
ferences would be certainly made up; And to make
this Aflfurance more Publick, the Archbifliop and
Bifhops in the Petition, for which they were imprifond
and Try'd, Declared that they were ready to come to
a Temper in thofe Matters both in Parliament and
Convocation, Upon this it was that the Prince of •
Orange promised in his Declaration, to ufe his Endea-
vours to heal all thofe Divifions : In order to the per-
forming this, He by a fpecial Comroiffion appointed
all thofe Bilhops who ownM his Authority, He being
then fet on the Throne^ together with a great many o£
the Clergy, to draw out the Grounds upon which the
Diffenters had feparated from us, and to offer Expedi-
ents in order to the healing our Breaches. We had
before us all the Books and Papers that they had at any-
time offered, fetting forth their Demands; together
with many Ad vices and Propofitions which had been
made at feveral times, by moft of the beft and moft
Learned of our Divines ; of which the late moft Learn-

,x^

Mhifters vfho were Eje^ed in Sixty Ttpo. And fuch Concejjions. as Kinr
Williara'5 Commifjioners vffould have yielded to, had made the Body of the Fre-
fent Nmconformift Minifters very Thankful, with the Allow arsce of the tuh of
Eliz. in point of Orders. For the fcrupled Ceremonies being left indifferent^
and the Liturgy amended as to the exceptionable Pajfages, and nothing that
re as capable of being interpreted an owning the Authority of the impofers beinr
injifled on, that which now incapacitates Ui from exer.cifing our Mini/try in
the Eflablijh'd Church would rani/I) away^ tho" there might yet remain room
for many Amendments, and fame of them very defirable too, efpeclally as to
the Courts that are called Ecclefiafiical ^ which {with fome other Thin<rs^ we hoji
the Lhuuh r^iU fome time or other, for her own fake^ take care to hare amended.

G g * ed

45 o Some Hljlorkal Addition. Chap, XV 11.

jU. i6%$.

ed Bifhop of Worceftcr had a great Collection : So wc
prepar'd a Scheme to be laid before the Comocation ;
but did not think that we ourfelves, much lefs that
any other Perlcn, was any way limited, or bound to
comply with what we refolv'd to propofe. On the
contrary, wciaid, if we faw better Reafon, we would
change our Minds. Yet this which was only a Coun-
cil created by the King to prepare Matters, was com-
plain'd ot as an impoling on the Convocation^ and as a
limiting of it ; add thoi^gh a i^o;/?/ Licence was fent
them, yet a previous Refolution was taken to admit
of no Amendments. Wtjen we faw that, we rclblv'd
to be quiet, and leave that matter to better Times:
But then the Enemies of the Civil Government, be-
gan to work on the Jealoufies and Fears of many well
minded Men ; and the peferving the Chw ch was given
out as the l4^ord, by thofe who meant France or St. Ger-
mains by it.

I fliall next refer to what I have before mention d,
vi:(. the Account given by the Biihop of Lincoln^ in his
Speech in the Houfe of Lords, on March the i7tb, i7tt,
upon the Second Article of the Impeachment againft
Dr. Sacheverell. ' The Perfon (lays he^ who firft con-
certed thlsfuppofed Defign againft cw Church, was the
late moft Reverend Dr. Snncroft^ A>chb:fhcp of Canter-
bury. The rime was towards the end of that unhappy
B^ign^ of which fo much was faid upon Occafion of
the foregoing Article. Then when we wer^ in the
heighth of our Labours, defending iht Church of Eng-
land againft the /fjf^ults of Popery^ and thought of no-
thing ejfc, that wife Prelate forefeeing fome fuch I{e»
volution as foon after was happily brought about; be-
gan CO confider how utter unprepared they hid been
at the I{c ft or at ion.

* No fooner were their late Majefties of Glorious
Memory, feated in their Thrones, but this Defign
was openly efpous'd by them. kCommiJfion was ilTu'd
our, under the great Seal of England, to a large
Number of Bifljops and other Eminent Divinej, to
meet together and to cunfider of thefe Matters. And
whatever they did, it was to have been carried on
from them to the Two Convocations of Canterbury and
Tvrk^ : And after it Ihould have pafs'd their Approba-
' tions, it was finally to have been laid before the Two

I Houfes

Chap. XVIL after the Revolution in 1688. 45 1

* Houfei of Parliament^ and fo to hive gone on to the -4». id89»

* l(p)al Jffent. This Wis the Courfe through which all
' that was defign'd, or [hould have been done in this
' Matter, muft have pafsM ; and I am perfwaded no-

* thing very injurious to our Churcbei Welfare, will ever

* be able to pafs through all thefe.

From the Account of thefe Two Bifhops it appears,
that the Defign was begun by Archbilhop Snncroft at the
latter end of King J^iw^j's Reign, partly out of tender-
nefs to the Diflenters, and partly that the Church might
not be unprovided upon the B^volution as they were at
the time of the ^flauration : And that what was done in
King PVilliarns time, was but a continuation of what
was begun in the latter end of the Reign foregoing.

I (hall now add the Account that is given us by Dr.
Nichols *, of the Proceedings of King iVilliiims Eccle-
(iaftical Commifiioners. He tells us, * They began with ^ -^p^^^^^
' reviewing the Liturgy. And firft they ,examin d ^ ^ P*-' *
the Calendar I in which in the room of Apocryfhal ^^ Jf ".'.
Lejfom^ they ordred certain Chapters oi Canonical ^ ^^^^'^'^^
Scripture, to be read, that vrere more to the Peoples
advantage. Athannfiuis Creed, being diflik'd by ma-
ny becaufe of the Dnmnatory Clnufe^ it was left to the
Minifters Choice to ufe it, or change it for the Aprjlles
Creed. New ColleHs were drawn up, more agreeable
to the Epiftlcs and Gofpefs, for the whole Courfe of
the Year. And thefe the Dodtor tells us were drawn
up with that elegance and brightnefs of Expreflion^"
and fuch an heat and flame of Devotion, that nothing
could more affedt and excite the Hearts of the Hear-
ers, and raife np their Minds towards God. He fays
they were firft drawn up by Dr. Patrick,^ who was
reckoned to have great Ikill in Liturgical Compofures 2
Dr. Burnet added to them yet farther Force and Spi-
rit; Dr. Stillingfleet afterwards examin'd them with
great Judg'nent, carefully weighing every Word in
them: And Dr.Tillotfon had the laft Hand, giving
them fome free and mafterly ftrokes of his free and
fweet and flowing Eloquence. Dr. Kjddcr^ who Uras
well versM in the Oriental Tongues^ made a new Ver-
fion of the Pfalmf, more agreeable to the OriginaL
Dr. Tennifon made a ColIec5tion of the Words and Ex-*
prefTions through the Liturgy^ which had been excep-
ted againft, and proposed others in their room that

Gg * [titt^

452 Some Hi florical Additions Chap. XVII.

Jbt. i68p.' were clear and plain, and lefs liable to exception.
Other Things alfo were propos d, that were left to be
determin'd by the Convocation. As, fi.) That the
Crofs in Baptifm might be either us'd or omitted at
the choice of the Parents. (2.) That a Nonconfor-
mift Minifter going over to the Church, fiiould not be
Oidain'd according to the common Form, but lather
Conditionally, much in the fame manner as the bap-
tizing of Infants is ordered in the Chnrch, if there be
not evidence of their being Baptiz'd before, with the
Addition of the Epifcopal Benedidtion, as was cuflo-
mary in the Ancient Church, when Clerks were re- ~
c^iv'd that had been Ordain d by Hereticks. Dionyf,
Alexandr, ap. Euftb, Hifi. E. Lib. 7. Cap. i. Cone. Nic, I.
Can. 8. Jufi.five Anth. f{efp. ad Orthod. F{e^. 18. Theod,
Hi a. Eccl. Lib. I • Cap. 8. in which way of Ordain-
ing Archbifhop BramhaU had given a Precedent,
when he receiv*d fome Scotch Presbyters into the
Church.

To all which I Ihall add an Account which I re-
ceiv'd from a Friend whom \i is not neceffary to Name,
which in the main 1 have Reafon to think is right,
though in fome Refpedls defedtive: And fo I believe
will all our Accounts be, till the Original Papers come to
be publilh'd to the World, • as 1 believe and hope they
will be in time.

j4n Account of the Proceedings of the Com-
mijfionersj to prepare Matters for the apfro ach-
ing Convocation., in i68p.

7U Pro-
ctedims of

Cham-
and Le-

TH E Committee being met in the Jeruf^lem
ber, a Difpute arofe about the Authority
Kin^^ vvil. gaiity of the Court. (The Bilhop of E{pchcfter, though
^^^'^•^^"^^' ^^ ^^^ ^'^ lately adled in an Illegal one, being one
of thofc that queftion'd it.) The Grounds of this
fcniple, were the Obligations the Clergy lay under by
Adl of Parliament of King Henry the VIII, not to enter
into any Debates, about making any Alterations in
Church Affairs without the King's fpecial and immc-
-diate Privacy, and Direction firft given concerning fuch
Alterations. Ic was a^fwet'd, that, that muft be done

either

ftafiical

Commijji'

oners.

Chap. XVI L after the RevolkUon in i69%, 452

cither by an Aa of the Kings own Judgment, or by zAn, 1689
private Cabal, (both which ways would be very excep-
tionabl'^) or elfe by his Majefty's Commiflion, to a cer-
tain number of Ecclefiafticks to confuJt about, and pre-
pare what was neceffary to be alter'd, as it was in the
prefent Cafe ; For moreover, the Ccimmiflioners pre-
tended not to make thefe Alterations obligatory by Ver-
tue of a Law, but only to get them ready to Jay before
the Convocation : The very Reports being not fo much
as to be refcrr'd to the Privy Council, leaft they might
be fubjedt to be canvas'd and cook'd by Lay Hands.
Howiever, The Biihops of I4^inchefter and {{ochefter
Dr. fane and Dr. AldriHge withdrew diffatisfied ; and
the reft, after a Lift of all that feem'd fit to be changed,
was read over, proceeded very unanimoufly, and with-
%^t any Heats, in determining, as follows, {each Article
ds foon its agreed on, being Signd by the Bi/hop 0/ London )

That the Chaunting of Divine Service in Cathedral
Churches, (hall be laid afide, that the whole may be ren-
dred intelligible to the Common People.

That befides the Pfnlms, being read in their Courfe
as before, fome proper and devout ones be feledled for
Sundays.

That the Apocryphal Lejfons, and thofe of the Old
Teftament which are too Natural^ be thrown out ; and
others appointed in their ftead by a new Calendar,
Alvhich is already fully fetled, and out of which are
omitted all the Legendary Saints Days^ and Others not dir
recSly referr'd to in the Service Book.

That not to fend the Vulgar to fearch the Canons,
which few of them ever faw : A Kubrick be made, fet-
ting forth the ufefulnefs of the Crc(l in Bnptifw, not as
an effeotial Part of that Sacrament, but only a fit and
decent Ceremony ; However, if any do, after all in
Confcience fcruple it, it may be omitted by the
Prieft.

That likewlfe if any refufe to receive the Sacrament
of the Lord's Supper IQteeiing^ it may be Adminiftred to
them in their Pews.

That a Kubrick be made, declaring the Intention
of the Lent Fafts^ to confift only in extraordinary Ads
of Devotion, not in diftindlion of Meats. And a-
nother to ftate the meaning of I{pgation Sundays and

G g 3 £???-

454 Some Hi ft or kd Additions Chap. XVII.

An. 1689. Ember Pf^eel^s ; and appoint that thofe Ordained with-
in the Quneuor Ternpora^ do Exercife ftri£V Devo-
tion.

That the Rubrick which obliges Minifters^ to read Qt
ht2iV Common Prayer, publickly or privately every day,
be changed to an Exhortation to the People to frequent
thofe Prayers.

That the Ahfolutlon in Morning and Evening Prayer
may be read by a Deacon ; the Word PrieU in the Ku-
brick being changed into MinOier, and thofe Words
and H^mifjion^ be put out as not very intelligible.

That the Gloria Patri^ fhall not be repeated at the end
of every Pfalm, but of all, appointed for Morning and
Evening Prayer.

That thofe Words in the Te Deum, thine Honourable
True and only Son, be thus turn d, thine only begotten
Son, Honourable^ being only a civil Term, and no where
ufed in Sacris.

The Benedicite (hall be changed into the 1 18 Pfalm ;
and other Pfalms likewife appointed for the BenediSw
and Nunc dimittis.

The Verficle^ after the Lord's Prayer, ^g. fhall be
read Kneeling, to avoid the trouble and inconveniences
of fo often varying Poftures in the Worlhip. And after
thefe Words, give Peace in our Time O Lord, ihall fol-
low an Anfwer, promifory of [fomewhat on the Peoples
. Pare, of keeping God*s Laws, or the like : The old Rc-
fponce being grounded on the Predeftinating Do£trine,
taken in top firid an Acceptation.

All high Titles or Appellations of the King, Queen,
^c. Ihall be left out of the Prayers, fuch as MoSi lUu-
Jlrioui, I{eligicu.(y Mighty^ 8cc. and Only the Word So-
vereign retain'd for the King and Queen.

Thofe Words in the Prayer for the King, Grant that
be may vanquifh and overcome all htf Enemies, as of tOO
large an Extent, if the King engage in an unjuft War^
ihall be turn'd thus ; Projper all his Righteous Vnderta-
kings against thy Enemies^ or after fome fuch Man-
ner.

Thofe Words in the Prayer for the Clergy, who
alone xvork^eft great Marvels ; as fubje£l to be ill interpre-
ted by Perfons vainly difpofed, (hall be thus, who
alone art the Author of all good Gifts: And thofq
Words, the healthful Spirit of thy Grace, ihall be thq

Holy

Ghap. XVll, after the Revolution in 1688. 455

Holy Spirit of thy Grace, healthful being an^»- 1^89.
Abfolece Word.

The Prayer which begins, O God whofe Nature and
tProperty, fhall be thrown ont, as full of ftrange and im-
pertinent Exprelfions^ and befides not in the Original,
but foifted in finceby another Hand

The Collects, for the moft part are to be changed, for
thofe the Bifliop of Chichejler has prepared ^ being
a review of the old ones with Enlargenrients, to render
them more fenfible and affefting, and what Expreffion^
are needful, fo to be retrenched.

If any Minifter refufe the Surplice^ the Bi(hop if
the People defire it, and the Living will bear it, may
fubftitute one in his Place fhat will officiate in it;
but the whole Thing is left to the difcretion of the
Biftiops.

If any defire to have Godfathers and Godmothers omit"
ted, and their Children prefented in their own Names
to Baptifm^ it may be granted.

About the Athenafian Creed, they came at laft to this
Gonclufion. That leaft the wholly rejedbing it (hould
by unreafonable Perfons be imputed to them as Soci-
nianifm, a Kubrick (hall be made, fetting forth, or de-
claring the Curfes denounced therein not to be reftrain'd
to every particular Article, but' intended againft thofe
that deny the Subftance of the Chriftian Religion in
General.

Whether the Amendment of the Travflation of the
reading P/alms, ^as they are cali'd) made by the Bifhop
of St. i^fnph and Dr. Kjdder^ or that in the Bibh^ ftiall
be inccrted in the Prayer Book, is wholly left to the
Con\ocation to confider of and detlermine.

In the Litany^ Comrnunion Service, 8cc. are fome Al-
terations made, as alfo in the Cnvons, which I cannot
yet learn fo particular Acrouut of as to give them yoa
with the reft, as perhaps I may hereafter be able •
to do. Thus far my Friends Narrative.

On November the \ 6th, the Reverend Bifliop of 5<f-
runt, gave an excellent Exhortation to Peace and Uni-
on, in a Sermon Preacb'd at St. Lavprence Jury, on
A^s 7. 26, 'Tis Pity it (hould be forgotten. Say&
he there, Page 1 4. ff^e here in England have had a

G g 4^ /o«^.

456 Some Hifiorhal Additions Chap. XVIf.

An. 1 6S9. long fierce ConteH: about Things^ which xve all Confefi are
indifferent in their own Nature. Thu j^nimcfity iVorl^s
Hill fo high among w, that many tal^e Fire upon the fmalleft
itcfs that can be made tovoards the healing fo great a Breach ;
nnd fill all Places vpith Tragical Out-cries, as if the Church
of England -svs'e to be fulC d dovon : l^hile the chief PrO"
moters of th'jfe ^ports^ {(now well how falfe they are, and
that inftead of Offering at any Thing that can in any
fort weaken our Churchy every Thing which has been en^
deivour'*d muft prove its Strength as well as it Glory, if
xve are fo happy ai to weigh all in even Ballances. The
Toings that are proposed are of themf elves defireable, though
there fhould not be one Di(kntet gained by thefn; and are
jfiich ai will tend to the nfnking all the Parts of our Offi-
ces both more unexceptionable^ and more edifying, Buf
Difiempers are far gone, when the Patient Images at the
fi'Ft mention of a Medicine. H^e have lofi many hap-
py Opportunities, fince the fir^ Beginning of the Refor-
mation amcng m^ for the healing our Breaches : One is
fofr\y to remember them, and wifhes that fuch fatal Bnors
could be covered from the Kjiowledge of aU fuccee ding Ages
for the fal{e of the Churchy and of thofe who have govern i
it. But if we do again repeat former Errors, and let
the prefent Advantages that we have now in our Hands
flip from Ui, what is *to be faid upon it^ but that this
is of the Lord^ who by it is punifhing us for our other
S^ns, f'r cw remifnef in our Duties i for our 7iegleB of
the Pjjioral C ire ; for our flackyiing that flricinefl of
Life which becomes our Profcffion ; for our indulging our
fclves too much in Serjunlity and La:{inepy and for all thofe
Mal.2, 8,9. other Sins, by which we have departed from his Law, and
have corrupted the Covenant a^ Lcvi^ and made many
10 Humble at the Law; and that therefore God tvill
^er. lo. 21. make us become bafe and contemptible before the Peo-
p\c ; and thnt all our FJocks fhail be fcarter'd. But we
might hope for better Things, if everyone would put away
all Prejudices, all PViath^ /In^er, and Eleven ge ; and would
put on Bowels of Mercies and Kjndnef^ remctnbtino that we
are Brethren, fo that havingpu' iff d ouf elves from Humour,
Paffion, Inter tH' J and every Thing elf e that may corrupt our
iPe/. 1.22 Minds, unto the unfeigned Love of the Brethren, we
wo f\d refoJv^ to Love one another with a pure Heart
f<.T-V€i)rly. And if irfead of tie Pride of not yielding to
one another in any Things we Jhould rather engage into a

Holy

Ghap. XVII. after the Revolution in 1688. 457

Holy Emulation of trying vifho could yield molt for the heal- An. 1689.
ing of tbofe TVounds^ that have been fo often Of end, and
that begin now again to bleed afrefh. He adds, Page 17,
God he thanked for it, that there is an End put to all Perfe^
vution in Matters of Confcience 5 and that the Firfi and
Chief Right of Humane Nature^ of following the Dilates
of Confcience in the Service of God is fecured to aU Men
arnmg^ us ; and that we are freed, I hope, for ever, of all
the Remnants of the worji Part of Popery that we had too
long retained, I mean the Spirit of Perjecutiori, If this
pi^es IJneafinefs to any, it foews that their Eye is Evil^
becaufe the Eye of our hegijlntors has been good towards
thqfe, who tho they may be mijlaken in their Notions^ yet
have ftill the Rights of Men, and of Chrijiians, But
after all phis, it is to he remembred, that Men may he flill
Perfecutors, tho they are viot able to perfecute any longer,
■according to our Saviour s charging the Guilt of intended
Sins^ on thofe who never aBed them : For as long as we en^
tertain Hatred and Malice in our Hearts, and wifh that it
were in our Power to do hurt to others, fo long we become guilty
hefore God^ andfo do wrong to our f elves, tho* we are not in
Condition to do them any ; but if we do them all the wrong
we can, we fhew what our Tempers are, and that we would
do more if it were in our Power, If we Love to keep up
old Differences, or to create new Ones, if we will continue
to make the Terms of Communion with us asjirait as poffibly
we can, and fhut out all Perfons, as much as in us lies, from
joining Labours with us, becaufe they do not in all Things
think as we do : If we will by Turns imploy all the Inter efi
we have in any Turn of Government that is /-/w^ to us, to
do wrong to others, either by loading them withfalfe Accuf ac-
tions, by aggravating fame leffer Matters, or by an undue Pro-
fecution of real but repented of Faults ; all thefe are thefe-
*veral Infiances, in which an injurious Temper fhew s it felf 5
and while fuch Things are among us,we are under the Guilt
that is charged on tbef& Ifraelites in my Text, who tho* they
were Brethren, yet did wrong one to another.

Ail the Difcourfe now was about this famous Ec- ^ ^'f"
cleftafiical Commiffion, which was fo diflferent from ^^y^^^/^T
that of the foregoing Reign. Some were earneft for ^x^i^Jn^
it, and others as warm againft it- They that were ca/Commik
for it, afferted * that it was every Way agreeable to fion, pj int-
the Laws of the Land. That it was juftified by feve- ed hrRi-
ral Precedents fince the Reformation, in the Reigns ofehardchif-

Edward we//,i62^.

4 5 8 Some Hijiorical Additions Ghap. XVII.

A^. i6%^:Edvpnrd VI, Queen Elis^abethy King James, and King
Charles II. That fuch a Commilfion was fo far from
being prejudicial to a Convocation, that it was likely
to be ufeful CO it, by Way of Preparation, to get
Tbuigs ready for fuch a Body ; which mufk to be fure
to be done by a few. That the refult of their Delibe-
rations was Propo/als only, not hnpofitions. That the
Perfons employed in this Commiflion were unexceptio-
nable ; all Church-men ; fuch Men as would fit in
Convocation ; Biftiops, Deans, and Arch-deacons :
Mea of known Abilities, Probity, and Worth. That
all Churches in procefs of Time, tho* at fiift as well
conftituted as the Age and Cafe would bear, may ad-
mit of Alterations and Improvements. That notwith-
ftanding the Review in ^i, the Conftitution was ftill
capable of another. That they were convinced, that if
ihey at that Time bad Reafon for the Alterations they
made, which were computed to be about Six Hundred,
there was equal, if not greater Reafon for fome farther
Improvements. That if they at that Time had o£Gcred
to move much farther, a Stone would hav? been laid
under tbeir Wheel by a fecret but powerfnl Hand.
That the beft Church is not abfolutely perCe(^ in all
circumftantial Things, nor carv it ever be made fo here
on Earth. That it would be comfortable to the Con-
fcrmifis^ by fitting Alterations to have Strength and
. Beauty added to that Houfe in which tbey refolved to
live and die .- And that as for the Diffentersii they
were not thereby gain d upon, they'd be left inexcufa-
ble. That there was then a very ftt ]un<Sture for fucfa
a Defign : Becaufe of the Defire of their Majefties';
the Concurrence of the Lords in their Bill of Union ;
and the Expectation of the Reformed Churches, who
Jook'd that fometbing (hould then be done, that might
make for Peace and Union.
Fox ihri, To this It was replied ; to what Purpofe is it to
^>age 14, f»egin, wiienwe fee not where toxnd ? Is it not bettet
iS, ^(- to endure feme Inconveniences ( as in all Conftitutions
fome will be) than to expofe our Selves to certain Mif-
chiefs ? And what can we expe(5l, when the Six Hun-
dred Aiierations in 166 1, had no competent Effect, but.
were rejected with Scorn ? 'Twas added, that the true,
Confoimifij were very well fatisfy'd with their Houfc^
and contented to live and die in it : Sue thai if the

Dijfentcri

Chap. XVll. after the Revolution in 1688. 459

Dijfenters would go to make Breaches in that Houfe, An. 1689.
take Poffcflion, deface its Beauty, and undermine its
Strength, and force them to leave it, they could not
take it well. That the Defires of their Majefties might
be beft known by their living in the Communion of
iheEftablifli'd Church, and their Declarations to fa-
vour and proteft it. That the Senfe of the Lords muft
be judg'd by the Sequel. That as for the Dijjenters
they had a Toleration by Statute, which the Church
Party could not gain in the Civil Wars for almoft
Twenty Years together 5 and they ought to be fatisfy^d
with it. And that as for the Reformed Churches, they
generally admit'd the Englifh Gonftitution. And to
prevent any vigorous Attempt of that Nature, it was
publifh'd by many as their Senfe ; That no Alterations
ought at all to he made in Things pertaining to I^eligionf
bup when there was a great Necejfity : That there wa6 no
fuch NeceJJity for Alterations : And that if there were, it
was not then a feafonable Time, when fo many F/ithers of
the Church, and eminent Perfons of the Clergy^ were inca-
pable of aciing in the Matter ^ thro* their Sufperjion for not
talking the Oaths.

They who were more moderate, readily granted
ihem, that frequent Alterations would be dangerous to
Religion * ; but aflerted that in the Cafe under Confi- ¥ ^ uttt*
deration there was an abfolute Neceflity. There lies to a Friend^
X fay they ) an indifpenfible Obligation upon us to do the relatin>r tu
utmo^ we are able to remove this mifchievous Schijm from the Trefettt
among us, which has fo long difiurb d the Church of Chrifi Convocation
in this Land. The Evil of it mojl certainly muji lie at our *** Weft-
Doors, as far as we 9o not the titmoji that in us iieth to re "^infter.
move it. And what other H^ay is there now left of attempt- /
ing it^ but by coming to fome Terms of Moderation and
Temper with thofe that Dijfcnt from us. We have already
tryd all Methods of Perfwafion to mollifie them, all force
of Argumentation to convince them , we have tried alfo 1

Church Cenfures and Penal LawSy and what have they a-
vailed us, but only to heighten the Divijions and encreafe
the Mi/chief i and therefore what other Remedy is now left
us for a Cure of this Evil, but that as far as we are able
we abate of that which hath given the Original thereto ;
thofe excepted Pajfages in our Liturgy, and thofe Ceremo"
nies in our iVorfhip, which our Dijfenting Brethren cannot
Conform with us in ? iVhat are thofe Things which we differ

abi^Ht

4^0 Some Hijiorical Additions Chap. XVII.

' — — — ____^_______

Jin. i68>>. about ^ that voe muft for ever Sacrifice to them, the Peace both
of Church and State, without ^hating the leafi Tittle for fo
great a Good as that of the Common Union of Chrijiians
among us ? Is it not eno\ that for the Sake of thofe Trifles^
we have for thefe Thirty T^ars paf/d^ driven up our Divi-
fions and Animofities againji each other to that Heighth, ai
that voe had almoji totally gi-Ven up our Church to Popery,
and cur Gdvernment to Tyranny thereby ? Certainly "'tis
nsvo Time to fit down and confider^ whether thofe Things
are of juch great Value^ for the Sal{e of which we bring fo
much Mi/chief, to this poor diftrejfed Church and Nation^
that jiothing mufl be abated of that unreajonable Rigour
whereby we have hitherto maintain d them. Could but a
'Union he once effe^ed among our Selves^ we need not fear
all the Power of France and Rome, in thefirmeft Vnion <i*
ga.rift us, •

Twas objedked. That altering any Thing in a well
confticured Church, was like plucking a Beam out of
a well buijc Houfe, which cannot be done without en-
dangering the Fabrick. *Twas anfwer'd, If all had
been ©f this Mind, we could never have Reform'd from
Pop;ry^ becaufe this Argument would have been as ftrong
againft all Alterations then as now.

'Twas objedled. If Alterations were begun, there
v/as no knowing where to ftop. *Twas anfwer'd, When
any Thing was proposed not fit to be done.
. Twas objet3:ed. They that want Alterations will
ftill be craving more, 'Twas anfwer'd, That denying
them what was juft and fitting to be granted, viras
giving them a great Advantage.

'Twas obje£ted, Changing was reproachful. 'Twas
anfwer'd, It was much more reproachful, obftinateJy
to refill a Change when there's good Reafon for it.

'Twas objedled, There was noRcifon to endeavour
to gratifie the Dijfenters, who were Guilty of great
Obltii:acy and Perverfenefs. 'Twas anfwer'd, It there-
' fore became ihctn to Adt like Phyficians, who don't

prcfenrly raft off a peevilh Patient, but ftudy to fuithis
Paiarc and Hutrour.

And as to the want of che fufpended Bifhops and
Clergy, they apprehended the needful Alterations
might be made without them ; and if they were true
to the Publick Imereii, or their own Promifes, they
could not but give their Approbaiion,

But

Chap. XVH. after the Revolfitionrn i68S. 4,61

But fuch Arguings and Pleadings as thefe, tho* from ^». 1689.
eminent Perfons of their own Church mov*d not tbofe
a Jot, who had fix*d their Ne Plus Vltra^ and were re-
fplved never to ftir a Step by their Good-will, beyond
the Meafure of their Fore-fathers *. They faid the ^ ^ox CU-
Ad^s for Uniformity were much more Effedual for U- ^'h page
nion, than any Alterations the Church could juftiy 45? c^c
make would be. That if the Ad for Uniformity had
made one Diffenter, Toleration and Alterations have
made Hundreds. There is ( fay they ) no ' Necejfity
that we flooiild ejepofe our Selves to that Reproach, which is
endeavour'd to be fix*d on foms of us, of hehig Ecclcjieifii"
cnl Tinklers, who undertaking to mend one Hole, do ufunlly
make Two or Three^ iVe hAve by flanding our Ground,^
put to flight one formidnble Enemy ; and is there a Necef"
fity that by giving Ground, we fhotdd bring our Selves
under the Power of another ? PVdat tbo^ there he fome few
that are really but cnujlefly offended at our Ceremonies,
muji we for their Sakfs give Offence to the Church of God ?
TVnat ^ecejfity is there, that for the Snke cf a few igno-
rant, or peevi/h, and unfatisfiab'e Perfons^ that will not ^
pleas'* d with all that we can doy we fhould confirm them in
their Obftinacy^ by yielding and complying with their Hu-
mours ? Is it necejfary, fay they f, that a Parent (hould f im^
yield ta a difobedient Child, upon his own unreafonable v^^gQ ii^
Terms ? Is it neceffary that 4 Church in which all Things
neceffary to Salvation may be freely enjoy d, fhould accufe * '

her [elf of want of Chridian Charity, and af impofing
fuchjinful Terms, for admitting others into her Communiotiy
as were pwpofely defignd to keep them out^ and afterward
voluntarily caft off thqfe Things, and thereby confefs them^
felves Guilty of fo great *Uncharitablenefs ? is it neceffary
we poould fart with any Thing to them, of whom we have
^eafon to fufpeH, that they will not leave craving till they
have all? When thefe Things, and fuch as thefe are provd
to he neceffary y then Jhall we be ready to make Alterations
in our Ceremonies, and other Circumfiances : In the mean
Time we fhaS Account our felves Happy in the Number of
thofe Engliih-men, vpho know when they are well.

This nnighty Difference was to be determined in the
Convocation^ which met in December » The Choice of
the Prolocutor put an End to the Hopes of fome, and
hearten d others : For Dr. Jane was preferred to that
excellent Perfon Di^-Tillotfon, which wa5 an Evidence

the

46 L Some Hijioncal Additions Chap. XVII.

.dn. ,1689. the Chrift Church Intereft was too ftrong for the Mode-
rate Party, and that therefore no Alterations were to be
looked for. Dr. Bevcrid^s Preach'd a Lntin Sermon to
thcfn, in which among other Things he told them that,
To chnnffd old Laws for new^ is eilways dangerous unlejs
fuch n hiecejjity conftrain^ as is otherwife infupernhle, Atld
Leges /Inglie yiolumus mutare^ was the Motto of the
prevailing Party in the Convocation. The Biihop of
London told the Clergy, that they ought to endeavour a
Teyvper in thofe Things that are not EJfemial in I^eligiony
thereby to open the Door of Salvation to a Mult it tide of
ftraying Chiftians : And that it mujl need* be their Duty
to /hew the fame Indulgence and Charity to the Dlffenters
under Kjng William, xvhich fome of the Bifhops and Cler-
gy had promu'd to them in their Addrcffes to Kjng James.
And he concluded with a Pathetical Exhortation to U-
nanimity and Concord. His Majefty fent them a Mef-
fage by the Earl of Nottinghatn^ intimating that he had
fammoned this Convocation, not only becaufe it was
ufual upon holding of a Parliament, but out of a
pious Zeal to do every Thing that might tend to the
beft Eftablifliment of the Church of England, &c, and
ihat'4i€ expeded that the Things which he proposed
ihould be calmly and impartially confider'd ; he intend-
ing to offer nothing, but what fhould be for the Honour
Peace and Advantage, both of the Proteftans Religion
• in General, and particularly of the Church of Eng-
land. This Meflage being read, the Bifliops went to the
Jerufnlem Chamber, from whence they fent a Copy of
the King's Meffage to the Lower-Houfe of Convoca-
tion, with the Form of an Addrefs to his Majefty, to
which they defir'd their Concurrence. But they were
at firft for addrefling the King in a Form of their own.
They diflik'd this Expreflion in the Bilhops Form, that
they thanVd his Majefty for his X^eal, for the Proteftant
J{fligion In General^ and the Church of England in Parti-
cular. They were for confining themfelves to what
concerned the Church of England, and therefore were
very zealous for amending that Claufe, if they might
not draw up a new Form of their own. Whereupon
there was a Conference between fome Deputed by the
Two Houfes. The Conference was chiefly manag'd
between Dr. Burnet Bifhop of Salisbury, and Dr. Jane
the Prolocutor. The Bifliop urg d, that the Church of

England

Chap. XVII. after the Revolution in 1688. 469

England was not diftinguifll'd from other Proteftant An, 1689
Churches, but by its Hierarchy and Revenues, and
that it was an eqvivocal Expreffion; for if Popeiy
Ihould prevail, it would be called the Church of Eng^
land ftill. To which the Prolocutor anfwer'd, ihat
the Church of England was diftinguifh'd by its Do-
ctrine, as it ftands in the Articles, Liturgy, and Hor
milies, as well as by its Hierarchy ; and thac the Terra
of Vrctefinnt Churches was much more Equivocal, be-
caufe Socini/inSf Anabapfifis, and Quakers affuiii'd that
Title. The Upper Houfe of Convocation defir'd the
exprcfs mention of the Proteftant Religion might be in-
ferted in the Addrefs for three Reafons. i. Becaufe it is
the known Denomination of the Common Dodrine of
the Weftern Part of Chriftendom^ in Oppolition to the Er-
rors and Corruptions of the Church of /^owi?. i. Becaufe
the leaving out thiSj may have ill Confequences, and
be liable to (trange Conftrudions both at Home and
Abroad, among Proteftants as well as PaplRs, 3. Be-
caufe it agrees with the General^eafon offer'd by the
Clergy for their Amendments, fince this is exprefly
mention d in the King's Meffage ; and in this the Church
of England being fo much concerned, the Bilhops tho't
it ought to ftand in the Addrefs. The Lower Houfe
fell into a Debate upon thefe Reafons, and agreed to
Thank his Majefty, for his pious T^enl and Care for the «
Honour^ Peace, Advantage and Efiablifhment of the Church
©/ England, and then to add ; vohereby we doubt not the
Intereft of all the Proteilant Churches^ which is dear to
UJy vpm under the Influence of Tow My'efties Government^
be the better fecurd. The Upper Houfe defir'd them
to give their Reafon, why inftead of the Proteftant J^eli^
gion, they infertcd Proteftant Churches. They return'd
their Reafon in thefe Words ; Pf^e being the I{eprefenta-
tives of a form d efiablijh*d Church, do not thinks fif fo men-
tion the PVord Religion, any farther than it is the B^Ji^ion
of fome fortnd eftabli{h*d Church, Then the Upper
Houfe would have worded it thus ; H'^rehy we doubt
not, the Intereft of the Proteftant I{eligion, in [this and]
all other Proteftant Churches^ which is dear to us, will be
the better fecux^d under your Majefties Government and Pro-
teciiott. But tjie Lower Houfe would leave out thofe
Words, this ayid^ and could not be content to ftand
upon the LeVel with other Proteftant Churches. It is

not

464 ^ome Hiflorical Addijhftf Chap. XVfl.

An. 1 689. not to be wondred at, that they who ftuck fo much at
a Thing of this Nature, (hould be backward to yield
to fuch Alterations, as would be necefTary ro heal the
Breaches that have been kept open fo long in this Church
and Nation.

The want of Union at this Time, is by feveral Per-

* CompUat fons afcribed to different Caufcs. One * that fays, It
Hlfiory of j^^^j^ y^ ownd that this was a Glorious Opportunity of re"
England, conciling all moderate Diffenters to the Communion of the
^"^^ ^" Church of 'Eng\2Lnd, which might have heen happily effeBed,
*' ^ ' if this extraordinary JunSlure had been well managed and im-

, proved; afterwards tells a blind Story out of another
f/^./'.jS^. Aathor, as if the Presbyterians t did not a little con-
tribute to exafperate the Convocation againft them,
having at this very Time given Orders to near Fifty
young Students; and Mr. Baxter the Head of their
Party, having publilhed a Bookrefledking on the Church
of England. But the fame Author himfelf gives a
J /</.f 552-better Account a little befoje, t when he fays, ThaP
CpI. 2. many Arguments were u^d to bring the moft fliff of the
Inferiour Clergy to a Charitable Condefcenfion^ and the
much defired XJnion to little Purpoje* There was a Jea-
loujy and a Diftruft not to be con<juer'*d. And the beft and
moft favourable Glofs that the Matter will bear on
their Side, is what he adds prefently after, vi:{, that
• the Archbifoop of Canterbury, andjome of his Suffragans,
• and fome other Divines, would not own the Government
that then waSy and were therefore ready to fall into a New
Separation from their Brethren : So that at this Jun^
Sure it might appear to them to be dangerous to mak?
any Change^ that might give a Pretence of being for the
Old Church, as well as the Old Kjng, And yet even this
was not prevented.

After this, the Convocation was adjourn'd from
Time to Time, till at laft it was with the Parliament
dilfolv'd, without doing any Thing at all in Pur-

* Reflefli' fuance to the King's Meffage, and their Commiflion,i
ens on a ^[^q^ Burnet has given us the beft Account of this

H/V/?tf 0/^ he ) touch on one P articular , which will /hew that when
itninzli^h ^^" ^^^ difpos*d to be jealous ^ they will fufpeEt everji
Convocation T^^^^S I ^"^^ ^^^^ which at another Time would be tho't
v. 17. f^^ ^^fi ^jfe^uai Method to prevent or Cure Jealoufie^

PriniMi

Chap. XVir. after the Revolution in i6Qd>, 465

Princes do commonly frepnre the Matters vohich they fro- An. 1689*
pofe to fuch y^Jjfemblies, with the Advice of their Council:
Bat upon that Occdfion the Kjng and Queen did Create d
Council^ by a Jpecinl Commijfion^ of all the Bifoops vphd
ocond their- Authority^ and of the mosl eminent of the C/er"
gy, gathered from the fever al Parts of the Kjngdom, that
they might confider and prepare fuch Things as fhould be
offered by them to the Kjng and Queen ^ that fa their JW^yV-
Jiies might propofe theje to the Convocation^ Thjs furely
vifoi done in Favour of the Church. But even this was cried
out upon, oi a limiting the Convocation, voith many other
hard PPords^ which I do not love to repeat. It did then
appear in many vifjble Infiances, that our PVoMids were
then too tender to be either handled or healed ; fo it was tho*t
fit to let the Matter fleep^ and to give no new Occafion td
heat or Ahimofity. But at the fame Time to keep the Clergy
If ill ready upon Call, if there fhould be any Occafjon for them
during the Seffions of Parliament ; yet not to Charge them
with a nee dlefi Attendance, when the Publick^ Occafions put
them under fo many Taxes: ■ It being alfo obfervdy that irt
a hot Time, all unneceffary Affemblies are to he avoided ;
for if they have no Bufinefi one Way^ they commonly mak$ »^,
another \

But whether there fliouid be Alterations, or no Al-
terations in Ecclefiaftical Matters, was not the only
Controverfie among the Clergy in the beginning of
this Reign: For they were much divided about taking
the Oaths to the Government. The Majority of thetn
by far did indeed Swear Allegiance to King f^^'///4»jr
Some Swore ro him as their Lawful and Rightful
King; others Swoie to him as King de faHo only:
And a Third Party ftood out, and would not Swear
at all They that took the Oaths charg'd thofe that
rcfus'd them with a needlefs Nicenefs and Scrupulosi-
ty b* And they on the other fide charg'd their Brethren,
who Swore Allegiance to the Government, with Per-
jury, and Apoftacy, and deferring their Principles.
Some that were diflatisfy'd with the Oaths and refus'd
them, continu'd Preaching even after the time had elaps'd
that was fix'd by A6t of Parliament for their Com-
pliance ; they held on Preaching when they were
legally SilencM , and fo were Guilty of the very-
Thing they had before charg'd as fuch a Crime on
their Nonconforming Brethren: And the Generality

H h -of

466 Some Hijiorical Addition, Chap, XVII,

An, 1690. of them who continued in their Refufal, and at length
quitted their Preferments, made a New Separation,
and refused to hold Communion with thofe who had
taken the Oaths to the New Government ; and fo
there was a New Conteft begun, which was on feveral
Accounts very remarkable.

The Non-Swearing Clergy reprefented thofe who
compJv'd with the Government, as a Pack of Jolly
* See the Swearers, * fuch as becray'd their Confciences fur large
Brief An- Preferments. They on the contrary reprefented them
fvper to a, as Schifmaticks, falling into the fame Fault, ihcy had
Difcourfe exprefs'd fuch a Senfe of in others. The Non-Swearers
ccncernin^ faid their Separation was forc'd, not voluntary. They
theUnrea- ^q^q iq\^ by their Brethren, that the Oaths could not
■^f*'* 7^" force them into it, fince they were not made a Con-
°le^ ^^ dition of Communion. In their own Juftification, the
eparatfon, j^Jon- Swearers alledg'd ; ( i.) That the Penalties to be
inflidked on them, wanted nothing of being a Condi-
tion of Communion to them as they were Minifters,
and the Oaths being impos'd under fuch unjuft and
mercilefs Penalties, and attended with fuch fatal Con-
fequences, they tho't would warrant a Separation ; for
at this Rate, all the Churches in Englr.nd might be
\Findlca- ^^^ ^P* ^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^ anfwer'd f by the iVilli^mites,
tion of a ^^at Upon this ArgumcnL, there always was a fufficient
Difcourfe Warrant for Non-Swearers and Nonconformifts ; and
concerning . that it was a joining with Dilfenters to complain of un-
theUnrea- juft and mercilefs Penalties. It was added, thattho*
fonablenefi taking the Oaths was a Condition of Communion to
of a Nerv them as Minifters, yet that was nothing to the People
Separation, as Church Members ; who could vtoi join with them
p. 7, &c. without being guilty of a notorious Schifm : That fup-
pofing they were grieved by the Secular Power, and de-
prived of their Livelihood by an A£l of Parliament,
they ought not to revenge it upon the Church ; And
that tho' they might no longer officiate as Minifters,
they yet might join in the fame Communion as Lay
Men.

2. The Non-Swearing Clergy pleaded, that their
Authority was from Chnft, and fo no Secular Pow-
ei ' ' Unbiihc'p and Unprieft, or difable them,
A mans Authority ( faid they ) is from God ;

ttrtd ttotxpithftanding any Civil A& to the contrary^ he n
itQund to take Cttre of his Office^ thd the moft bitter Perfe^

cutions

Chap. XVIL after the Revolution in 1688. 467

cut ions attend him for fo doings and therefore if they voill An. i<58p,
Warrant n Civil /l^ to difable us from dangerous Duties^ ^^d 1690.
they mufl excufh us if we have tho/e dreadful A^prehen-
fions of the Account we have to give ; that we endeavour
to do it as vpe can at our ha:^ardf when we are not fuf-
fer*d to do it in Communion with them. To this they
who were on the orher Side anfwer'd, that as the
Prince could not give, fo neither could he take away
the Intrinfick Power of the Word and Sacraments,
proceeding from the Keys of Ordination :' But the
Extrinfical Power and Licence of Exercifing the Mi-
nifterial Office rcceiv'd by Ordination, he can in his
Dominions confer, and again take away, if the Cafe
fo requires ; and that if a Magiftrate may lawfully de-
prive, then the Clerk may be lawfully depriv'd : And
that if lawfully depriv'd, he is bound to fubmit to fuch
Deprivation. They added, That this was true Do-
Arine againft the Diffenters when Time was ; he was a
Schifmacick who gave this as a Reafon for his Separa-
tion ; And therefore told their Non-Swearing Brethren,
that if they proceeded up on the fame Principles with
the Diffenters, and took up their Arguments, there
was as much Reafon to Charge them with Schifm, as
they had to Charge tbeJDiffcnters.

3. The Nvn-Swearing Clergy pleaded, that they
were bound to obey their Bilhops and Metropolitan ;
-for that tho* they were depriv'd by a Secular Adt,
yet it was not for any Crimes for which the Cen-
fures of the Church depofe them ; and that therefore
they were Bilhops ftill, and bound to take Care of
their Churches, and their Churches to live in Subje-
t^ion to them. They were anfwer'd by thofe that «

cotnplied with the Government, that it there were any
Thing in this, then they who were of the Province
and Dioceffes where their Metropolitan and Bilhop
took the Oaths, were obliged to adhere to them al-
fo, and ought to feparate themfelves from thofe that fee
rhemlelves againft Authority, and refusM to fwear Al-
legiance to ir, as they on the other Side tho*c they might
and ought to feparate from thofe that do comply with
it. But that they could not fee how they were oblig'd
to follow their Church Guides into Schifm. iVben (fay
they ) did Chriflians in ancient Times ever refufe Cbrnmu-
nien with a Churchy hcaufe of Matters of State j or divide

H h 2, from

468 Some Hifiorical Additions Chap. XVll.

An, 1689. from others^ becaufe thofc they divided from, Mtit Lawful y
attdi69o- and their Duty ta.Jvvear Allegiance to the Sovereign
Poxver ?

So that here was a ftrange Inverfion. Whereas there.
were Two Principles of which the Preladcai Party
had all ak'ng from the Time of the Reftauration of
King Charks, difcover'd a peculiar Fondnefs ; 1 mean,
tie Povoer of the M-igiftrate in Ecclefiaftical Matters^ and
Pujjlvf Ohedict^cc without r,ny Limitations i ihey were
both of them now oppos'd by iome among thenifelves.
An unlimiced Pallive Obedience was fuperfeded by
thofe who deferred King James and fell in with King
iViUiam,, far which rht:y were fufncieiitly upbraided
by their Non-Sweamig Brethren- The Power of
the Magiftrate in Ecclefiaftical Matters was no longer
own'd, by thofe who fell under the Difpleafure of the
Government ; but they fet up for an inherent Right in
the Church -, fome of them went as far as to the Kirk of
ScotUnd to borrrow New Principles, of which they
who were on the other Side, ^ did not fail of giving
them frequent Items. Thofe who were of the high
flown Stamp, and had formerly had the leaft Charity
for their DifTenting Bre-Lhren, wtre forc'd to borrow
Pleas from them, to defend themfelves from the Charge
of Schifm ; And they who were more moderate to
DifTenters, but true to King fVHiam^ found themfelves
bard put to it, to defend themfehesin the Change of
'their Notions and Schemes of Government, upon
which the other Party with ill Nature and Bitter-
nefs eno' infuhed over them. But the DifTenters ftill
kepi their Ground, and adher'd to the fame Principles
as they had adted upon all along ; they were hearty
to the Goernment, and thankhil for their Liberty;
an^^ tho' they could not prevail for any fuch Altera-
tions in the Ceremonies, Worfhip and Difcipline of
the Chiirch, as lliould pave the Way to a Coalition ;
they vet carried it with more Refped: both to Civil
and HcHefiaical Governors, than many that had
fomcrlv valued themfelves upon their Submiflivc-
' nd iho't rhat none could have the Face hencc-
^^ to put vhem upon waiting in Hopes of Altera-
and Ami:idmcms, when fo favourable a Juncture
iis was paft by and produced nothing : And they
t ? at the faae Time fully convincM, that it muft

be

Chap. XVII. afterthe RevolHt7onmj6^i, 469

befome very peculiar Providence indeed, that muft An. 1689
facisfic thofe of a Neceflity of a Coalition between the
contending Parties, 'who difcover'd To much back-
wardnefs to lay hold of Two fuch happy Opportu-
nities, as the Reftauracion of King Charles and the late
Revolution, for the healing of our uncomfortable
Breaches.

The Diffenting Minifters of the feveral Denomina-
tions fubfcribed the Dodlrinal Articles of thje Church
oi England, as the Ad of Parliament requir'd : Butfome
few Expreilions in them being dubious, Mr. Bnxter
drew up a Brief Explication, which he gave in for his
Senfe at the Time of his Subfcription, in which many
of his Brethren concurred with him. And becaufe few
have taken Notice of this Explication, I think it noc
injiproper to infert it here. It was intituled,

R. BV Sefife of the fuhjaWd Articles of Religion :
Printed in 168 p.

[ T Take not this Form of Words, call'd, the Articles
-*• * of the Church of England, to be eflential to the
faid Church ; nor any Thing In them to be efTential
to the Chriftian Religion, which was noc fo from
its Beginning, and in the Firft Ages of Chriftianity ;
yea, and in every following Age : Nor do I take
fuch Form or Matter to be inftead of the Scripture
and the ancient Creeds, a neceffary Rule of Divine
Faith, or neceffary to the Being of Minirtry, Mem-
berfhip, and Communion in the Church of Eng-
land: But that they were fobordinace to the Scriptures
and the faid Creeds, a laudable Profeffion of this
Church at the Refcrmarion, that they mif-expounded
not the Divine Rule by any j^erefies, thereby to
promote our Communion with other Reformed
Churches, and to guide Novices at Home in the
Expolition of the faid Rule. Far be it from us to
be of a Religion and Church, which is no older than
the faid Articles or Common Prayer. But hold-
ing with excellent Augvftin, That contm rationem ne-r
mo fobrius^ ^ contra Scripturam ne?no Chriftiitnw ; fo
alfo that, contra Ecclefiam nemo facificus ( the Church
ftill being fuppos'd to be for Reafon and Scripture,
Sober and Chriftian,) and wifliing that God's owii

H h 3 Wor4

470 Some H/fiorical Additions Chiip. XVIT.

An i53^.

Word were taken for the fiifficient Terms of our
Confent and v^oiKord in Older :o Union and Com-
munion ; and knowing thar the Ambiguity of Words,
and our common Imperfe^flion in the Art of Speaking,
do leave an Uncertainty in the Senfe of nnoft Hu-
mane Writings till explained, and yetfuppofing that
the Authors of thefc Articles meant them Ortho-
doxly, that i may cot feem needlefly Scrupulous, I
fnbfcribe them .- And that I may not be unconfcio-
nably rafli in lubfcribing, I here tell ail whom it may
concern, how I u.nderftand the Words which I fub-
fcribe.

yht. z. ' A Sacrifice for all the Sin of Man Origi-
nal zw'i Acftual ] Though {Omnibus'] be alfo in the
Lnchi, |[ A.11 ] i-^ left out in King J^mes his Edition.
1 fuppofethcy meant not ffor any Man's final predo-
minant Impenitence, Infidelity, Atheifm or Unholy-
nefs ; ] but for ail Sorts of Sin, on Condition of Faith
and Repentance, a(5lually pardoning them to peni-
tent Believers.

4't. 3. 'He went down into Hell.] That is into
Hades, the State of feparated Souls ; of which fee
Archbilhop Z'fhers Anfwer to the Jefuits.
Art. 4. * Took again his Body with Fiefh and Bones,
and all Things appertaining to the Perfection of
Man's Nature, where with he afcended into Heaven,
and there fitreih, (^c"]

' That is, he ficteth in Heaven with the fame Body
glorified, vohich was Flefh and Bones on Earth, and
catachrefticaliy is by fome fo call'd ; now it is a Cele-
fiial, Incorrupcible, Spiritual, (jlorious Body; butin-
decd is not now the fame Thing, which we call for-
mally FI( 111, Bones, or Blood, nor will admit of the
lame Definition. For i. The Scripture faith plainly.
That Flcfh and Blood cnnnct hihcrit the t^ingdom of God^
I Cor. 15. 50. There is a Natural Body, and there is a
Spiritual Body, v.43,44 The Context fhews. That it
is not mortal finful Corruption ; that is call'd Flelh
and Blood here, but that Natural Corruptibility,
which Ficfli and ^lood hath. See Hammond on the
Text. '

Chrift's Body will not be worfe than ours (^hut ours
-made liks to his^ Phil. 3. lo.) but ours Ihall not be
Flefli, Blood, and Bones.

a. When

Chap. XVn, after the Revolution in 1688. 471

2. ' When there is not the fame Form or Definition, >i». 1^89.
there is not to be the fame proper formal Denomina-
tion: Bur no fober Philofopher or Phyfician ever

gave fuch a Definition of Fielh, Blood, or Bones, as
wiJl truly agree with Chrift's glorified Body: The
Name therefore can be but Equivocal.

3. * There is a Symmetry in God's Works, Chrift
being in his glorified Humanity advanc'd above An-
gels in Power, is not below them in Natural Perfe-
(Jiion. His Spiritual Ccleftial Body is congruous to
his Soul ; and all the Angels obey and Worlhip him.
When we are the Children of the Refurred:ion, we
ihall be equal to theAngeIs,and neither marry nor die :
And fo not have Bodies of Mortal Conftitution. I dare
notfay,That the Sun or Light is a more glorious Body
than Chrift's ; nor encourage thofe Difputers, that ask,
how many Foot long and broad his Body is, or the
Place that containeth it.

4. ^ I dare not incur the Guilt of contradicSting Two
General Councils in a Matter of Faith, when they
anathetnatize the Diflenters, and agree therein tho'
difagreeing in other Things, and pleading the Tra-
dition of the Fathers and the Scripture.

* The Seventh General Council at C. P. under
Conft. Copron. condemning Image- Wor(hip faith,(as Bin-
wiwjtranflateth it)pag.378. Defin.'j. \_SiquKnonconfeJfus
fuerit Dominum nofirum Jefiim Chriftum poft aj/umptio-
nem nnimat<£ rationalis ^ intelleBualis c/irm, fimul fe-
dere cumDeo patrs atque ita quoijue rtirfus ventiirumcum
Pnternci Mnjeflatc^ judicfiturum 'vivos & mortuos^ non
ampUus t^iiidem Carnem, ne<^ue incorporeum tnmsv^
ut yideatur tih iis^ a quibus compuncius eji^ ^ maneat
Deus extra crnjjitudlnem carnis^ Anathema.

' To which faith the Second Kicene ( their Adverfa-
lies) by Epiphanius : Hue ufque rsHe fentittnt ^ pa"
trum traditionibtis confentientin dicunt,

5. ' ThelongChurchDivifion?, which have for 1300
Years followed the ra(h Determinations about fome
dark invifible Things,maketh me more inclin d to fuf-
pend, than ralhly to affirm, in doubtful Gafes, efpe-

cially about God and Jefus Ghrift.

H k 4 6, 1%

472 Some Hiflorical AddUions Chap. XV^IL

-^- 1689. 6. * It is not the Perfe£lion of glorified Humanity
' to be Flelh and Bones.

7. ' I cannot fay, That Earth (as Flefh and Bones
' are) dwelis in ii'.-herial Regions.

A:t. 6. * Holy Scripture containeth all Things re-

* cciTary to Salvation.] I con Cent therefore if the
' Mniftry, Sacraments, and Charch Communion be
' neceflary to Salvation, the Scripture containeth all

* neceflary to them.

liiid. ' In the Name of the Holy Scriptures we un-

* derftand thofe Canonical Books, of whofe Authority

* was never anv Doubt in the Church.]. Expof. Not

* exchiding the Epiftle to the Hebrews • James; i.Pf^'.
Ju^le, 2 and 3 John, [{eveUtion 5 which divers

* Churches long doubted of.

Art. 7. * The Civil Precepts thereof (the Law given

* from from God bs Mofes,) ought not of Neceffity to
bi^ received in any Common-wealth ]

^■'^P^'f- * Civ Hi a furjt prccceftei, qu<z dantur ad regeri*-
das civiiates, ( Jen Societntes civiles ) God's Laws
are the Supreme Civil Laws; Man's Laws are but

* By-Law (fuch as Ct^rporations make under the Laws
of the 1 and,) about Things mutable, left undeter-
min'd by God, and fubordinate to his Laws. God
hath Two Sorts of Civil Laws : Firft, fuch as are
univerfal or common to all Chriftian Nations at

* Jeaft; as that there" fhall be Rulers or Subjefls; that
Rulers obey and proa ote the Laws of God, and the
King.iom of ChnH-, and do nothing againft them ;
Ibac they feek the common Good, and rule in Righ-
teov^fnefs and be a Terror to evil Works, and en-
courage Piety, and Virtue, and Peace ; that they re-

* ftrainBlarpbemy: Perjury, Prophanenefs, Murder, A-

* diiltcry, Theft, falfe Witnefs, and falfe Judging, ^c,

* Tbefe Civil Laws bind all Nations, as the Law of Na-

* cure, and all Chriftian Nations, as the Law of Chrift,*
bur not as the Law of Mofes promulgate to the Jews.

* 2 Bur there are a(fo particular Civil Laws, that were
property- the 7>n7' Common-wealth in fpccie ; Ifup-
por< the Articli* mcaneih thefe, and includeth the for-

^ met in the Word {Moral laws) though indeed they

* be the moft eminent Civil Laws.

■ 'A)r. 8. * The Three Greeds, vi:(. Nice Creed, Atha-
' W/7//WJ Ciecdj and tliat commonly call'd the JpoJiUs

t Creed

Chap. XVll. after the Revolution in 1688. 47

o

* Creed, ought throughly to be receiv'd and believ'd vi«, 1689.

> Exfrof. ' Rightly underftood, 'vi:(, i. That by [God
' of God, very God of very God] be not meant Two
f Gods. 2. Nor the Damnatory Claufes taken for Part
' of Athanafims, Creed, though they be Part of the Li-

* turgy Aflented and Confented to.

Art, 9. * This Infection of Nature does remain even

* in them that are Regenerate.

' That is, in a mortified, fubdued Degree, but not
' predominant, or unpardoned.

Art, 10. ' We have no Power, {nihil valemm) viz. our
f Natural Powers or Faculties are not fufficient without

* Grace.

Art. 11,^ We are accounted Righteous before God,

* only for the Merit of our Lord and Saviour Jefus

* Chrift, and not for our own "Works or defervings :
' Wherefore that we are Juftified by Faith only, is a

* moft wholefome Dod:rine.

Expof, ' Though he that doth Righteoufnefs is Righ-
' teous 5 and the Scripture throughout, and frequently
^ mentionethaninherentPerfonal Righteoufnefs neceffa-

* ry to Salvation ; yet this is no Univerfal Righteouf-
^ nefs, nor fuch as will juftifie us according to the Law
' of Innocency or Works, but is meerly fubordinate to
' the Merit and Efficacy of the Sacrifice and Righte-

* oufnefs of Chrift, which only meriieth for us as a

* Price, our Faith being only the requifite (yet given)
t moral Qualification for the reception of the Free Gift

* of Pardon, Juftification, and Adoption, and hath not

* the leafr Part of the Office or Honour of Chrift : Yen
are Chrift's Words true, that by Men's Works they

' Ihail be Juftifycd or Condemned ; and all Men (hall be

* judged according to their Works: And James truly
' faith, that by Works a Man is Juftifyed, and not by
'^ Faith only. Not by Works of Perfeftion or of Mofes's

* Law, nor any that as a Price or Commutation do

* make the Reward to be of Debt, and not of Grace,

* but by a Pradical Faith or Chriftianity : Such Ac^s
% as Faith it felf is, and prove our Belief; fuch as Chrift
' has promis'd Juftification and Salvation to; fuch as

* by juftifying Belief to be fincere, do juftify the Perfon

* againft the Charge of Infidelity, Hypocrify, Impeni-

* tence and Ungodlinefs : Chriftianity is that Faith

* which ?4«/ oppofes to Works. Art, \%.

474 '^^"^^ Hifiorical Additions Chap. XVII.

Jin

1 ^J%Q.

/irt. 12. ' Good Works fpring cut neceflarily of a
true and lively Faiih, infomuch that by them a lively
Faith may be as evidently known, as a Tree difcern'd
by the Fruit.

Expf. I, * It is an hypothetical Neccflity that is here
meant, confiftent with Freedom, i. And a Truth of
Evidence, and not an equal Degree.
Art. 13. * Works done before the Grace of Cbrift,
and the Infpiration of the Spirit, are not pleafant to
God ; for as much as they fpring not of Faith in Jefus
Chnfl, neither do they make Men meet to receive
Grace, or as the Schools fay, deferve a Grace of
Congruity; yea, rather they have the Nature of
Sin.]

Exprf, I . * No Good is done before all common Grace.
2. Preparatory Grace ufaally goes before fpecial
Grace ; and thofe that refift it, are farther from the
Kingdom of God, than they that have it : And to him
that hath (by improvement), ihall be Given ; And in
every Nation, he that fears God, and works Righte*
oufnefs, is accepted of him. Believing that God is,
ind that be is the Rewarder of them that diligently fcek
Him, is better than nothing, and than meer Sin.

Art. 14. * Voluntary Works, befides, over and above
God*s Commandments, which they call Works of Su-
pererrogaiion, cannot be taught without Arrogancy
and Iniquity.

Expof. ' I fuppofe, they meant not, that Voluntary
Canons, Im portions, Oaths, and Church-Offices are
fo bad.

A)t \6. Exprf. * I fuppofe, this Article meancth only
the unpardoned Sinagainft the Holy Ghoft, and of a
total Departure from Common Grace, and fome de-
gree of Habit and A(ft from fpecial Grace j but de-
termineth not the Controverfy, whether any totally
and finally fall from fuch an unconfirmed Grace as elfe
would Save.

An. 1 8. * They are to be had accurfed, that prefume to
fay, that every Man fhall be fav'd by the Law or Se£l
which he profefTeth, fo that he be diligent to frame bis
Life according to that Law and the Light of Nature.
For Holy Scripture doth fet out to us only the Name
of Jefus Chnft, whereby Men muft be fav'd.]

Ex^(f.

Chap. XVII. after the Revolution m 1688. 47^

Expo/. * Some Se£ts contradict the Light of Nature. ^«. 1689,

* They worlhip Devils, and offer their Children in Sa-
' crifice to them, and Murder the Juft ; this will fave
' none. But if the meaning be to Curfe aJl that hope
' that fome are fav'd, who never heard of the Name of

* Chrift, and that his Spirit and Grace go farther than

* the Knowledge of his Name, I will not Curfe fuch.
' All were not accurfed that hoped well of Socrates,
' Antonine, Alexander^ Severus, Cicero, Epi^etus, Plu-

* tnrch^ &c. There is no Name that is no Mefliah to

* be fav'd by, but Chrift. But, i. God judgeth Men

* by no other Law, than that which they were under .-

* And the Law of Grace made to fallen Mankind in
' Adam and Noah^ was not repeaFd by the Jews Pecu-

* liarity. ^. God had more People than the Jews and
' Profelytes of old. 3. The Old Jews knew lefs of

* Chrift, than his Apoftles before his Refurredion.
4. The Apoftles then believed not his dying for our

* Sins, his Refurredtion, Afcenfion, Heavenly Inter-
' ceflion, ^c 5. 'Tis no Chriftianity ftow, that be-

* lieves not thefe. If I durft Curfe all the World, who

* now believe no more than the Old Jews and the Apo-

* ftles then did, yet durft I not Curfe all Chriftians,

* that hope better of them.

Art, 23. *Thofe we ought to judge Lawfully called and
' fent, which be chofen and call'd to this Work by

* Men, who have Publick Authority given them in the

* Congregation to call and fend Minifters into the Lord's
' Vineyard.]

Expof, ' Given them, that is, by Chrift in his Scrip-

* tore Infticution, and* by thofe that Chrift Authorizes
' under him.

Art. 25. ' Sacraments be certain, fure and effectual

* Signs of Grace, and God's good Will, ^c]

Expof. * They fignify what God offereth; Theyinveft

* the true believing Receiver in the right of Pardon,
' Adoption and Salvation: They are morally operative

* Signs of exciting and encreafing inherent Grace in

* Believers.

Art, ie, * Nor is the EfFedt of Chrift's Ordinance
i taken away by their Minifter's Wickednefs.]

Expof. * Sacraments are not void, becaufe a bad Man
^ Adminiftred them ; but Prayer and Preaching, and
J Example, are ufually more effe(5lual from able, godly

t Men

47^ Some Hijiorical Additions Chap. XVII.

An. 1689.' Men, than from the Ignorant and Wicked. The
blind Man could fay, God heareth nor Sinners; but
if any be a Worfhipper of Him, and doth His Will,
him he heareth. Pfal, 50 ; to the Wicked faith God,
IV'iat hail thcu to do to taks ^y Covenant into thy ^otitk^
8cc. It is a Sin to prefer a bad Man before a better.
And it is dangerous to encourage Men in daily Sin;
who ufurp the facred Office of Bilhops or Paftors,
having neither the Qualifications eflentially Neceffary
thereto, nor that which is effentially NeceiTary to a
Call.

' The excepted Articles, and thofe that need no Ex-
pofition, I pafs by. If I hav e hit on the true Meaning,
I lubfcribe my AfTent ; and I thank God that this
National Church hath Dodrine fo Sound ; and pity
them that Write, Preach, or Pracftice contrary to the
Articles which they fubfcribe, and accufe them that
refufe fubfcribing them ; and take them for Sinners
who take them not for their Paftors, becaufe that their
Wickednefs nulleth not their Sacramental Admini-
ftratidas.

The Presbyterians and Independents, who had often
attempted coming to an Agreement before, thought this
a proper Opportunity for a new Effay, and after feve-
ral Meetings, they Agreed in, and aftertvards publilh'd
the following Articles.

An. idpc. Heads of Agreemeyit AJJentecl to by the United

Mj)]ijleys^ fcc.

The foUovoing H:ads of j^^reement have been refolvd upon,
by the United Minivers in and tibout London, formerly
cali'd Presbyterian and Congregational ; net as n Meajure
far afiy National Conftitution, but for the Prefervation of
Order in our Congregations^ that cannot come ujf to the
common t{ule by Law Eftahliflod.

I. Of Churches and Church Members,

I . * XVf E acknowledge our Lord Jefus Chrift to have

^ * one Catholick Church, or Kingdom, com-

* prebcading all that are united to hira, whether in

' ' Heavet^

Chap. XVn. after the Revolfftlon in i6S8. 477

Heaven or Earth. And do conceive the whole Mul--4». 1690.
tltnde of Vifiblc Believers, and their Infant Seed
(commonly call'd the Catholick Vifible Church) to
belong to Chrift's Spiritual Kingdom in this World ;
But for the Notion of a Catholick Vifible Church here,
as it fignifies its having been colledted into any form'd
Society, under a Viiible humane Head on Earth ;
whether one Perfon fingly, or many collediively,
we, with the reft of Protejiants, Unanimouiy Dif-
claim it.

2. ' We agree, that particular Societies of Viiible
Saints, who under Chrift their Head, are ftatedly
joyn^d together for ordinary Communion with one
another in all the Ordinances of Chriit, are parciciu
lar Churches, and are to be ownM by each other, as
Inftituted Churches of Chrift, though differing in Ap-
prehenfions and Prad:ices in fome leffer Things.

3. ' That none ihall be admitted as Members, in or-
der to Communion in all the fpecial Ordinances of
the Gofpel, but fuch Perfons as are knowing and
found in the Fundamental Dodhrines of the Chriftian
Religion, without Scandal in their Lives; and to a
Judgment regulated by the Word of God, are Perfons
of Vifible Godlinefs and Honefty ; credibly profefling
cordial Subjediion to Jefus Chriii

4. * A competent Number of fuch Vifible Saints (as
before defcrib'd) do become the capable Subjedh of
ftated Communion in all the fpecial Ordinances of
Chrif^, upon their mutual declared Confent and A-
greement to walk together therein according to Gof-
pel Rule. In which Declaration, different Degrees of
explicitenefs Ihall no way hinder fuch Churches from
owning each other as Inftituted Churches.

5. ' Though Parochial Bounds be not of Divine
Right, yet for common Edification, the Members of
a particular Church ought (as much as conveniently
may be) to Live near one another.

6. ' That each particular Church hath Right to chufe
their own Officers; and being furnilh'd with fuch as
are duly Qualify'd and Ordain d according to the
Gofpel Rule, hath Authority from Chrift, for exer-
ciiing Government, and of enjoying all the Ordi-
nances of Worlhip within itfelf.

7.* In

478 Some HiJioricJ Additions Chap. XVH.

Art. 1690- 7. * In the Adminiftration of Church Power, it be-
longs to the Paftors and other Elders of every particu-
lar Church (if fuch there be) 10 Rule and Govern ;
and to the Brotherhi)od to Confent, according to the
Rule of the Gofpel.

8. ' That all Profeflbrs as before defcrib'd, are bound
in Duty, as they have Opportunity, to joyn them-
felves as fixed Members of fome particular Church ;
their thus joyning being part of their profeffed Sub-
jedlion to the Gofpel of Chrift, and an inftituted
Means of their Eftablilhment and Edification ; where-
by they are under the Paftoral Care, and in cafe of
fcandalous or ofFcnfive Walking, may be authorita-
tively Admonifti'd or CenfurM for their Recovery;
and for Vindication of the Truth, and the Church
profefling it.

9. * That a Vifible Profeflbr thus joyn* d to a particu-
lar Church, ought to continue ftedfaftly with the faid
Church ; and not forfake the Miniftry and Ordinan-
ces there difpenfed, without an orderly feeking a Re-
commendation to another Church. Which ought to
be given, when the Cafe of the Perfon apparently re-
quires it.

II. Of the Miniftry.

1. * We Agree, that the Miniftcrial Office is Inftitu-
ted by Jefus Chrift, for the gathering, guiding, edi-
fying and governing of his Church ; and to continue
to the end of the World.

z. ' They, who are calFd to this Office, ought to be
endued with competent Learning, and Minifterial
Gifts; as alfo with the Grace of God, found in Judg-
ment, not novices in the Faith and Knowledge of the
Gofpel ; without Scandal, of Holy Convcrfation, and
fuch as devote thcmfelves to the Work and Service
thereof.

^, * That ordinarily none ftiall be Ordaind to the
Work of this Miniftry, but fuch as are call'd and
ch^fen thereunto by a particular Church.
4/ ' That in fo great and weighty a Matter, as the
calling and chufing a Paftor, we judge it ordinarily
requifice, that every fuch Church confult and adyife
with the Paftors of Neighbouring Congregations.

5. 'That

Chap. XVll. after the Revolution /n 1688. 470

5. * Thac after fuch Advice, the Pcrfoii confuked w^«. t.6po,
abouc, being chofen by the Brotherhood of thac par-
ticular Church, over which he is to be fee, aiid he ac-
cepting, be duly Ordain'd, and fet apart to his Office

over them ; wherein 'tis ordinarily requifire, chat the
Paftors of Neighbouring Congregations concur with
the Preaching Elder, or Elders, if fuch there be.

6. * That whereas iuch Ordination is only intended
for fuch as never before had been Ordain'd to the Mi-
nifterial Oflice; if any judge, that in the Cafe alfo of
the removal of one formerly Ordain'd, to a i^w Sta-
tion, or Paftoral Charge, there ought to be a like fo-
letnn Recommending him and his Labours to the Grace
and Bleifing of God 5 no different Sentiments or Pra-
dtice herein, (hall be any occafion of Contention or

Breach of Communion among us.

7. * 'Tis expedient, that they who enter on the Work
of Preaching the Gofpel, be not only qualify *d for
Communion of Saints 5 but alfo that, except in Cafes
extraordinary, they give, proof of their Gifts and fit-
nefs for the faid Work, unto the Paftors of Churches,
of known Abilities to difcern and judge of their Qua-
lifications : That they may be fenc forth with folemn
Approbation and Prayer, which ive judge needful,
that no doubt may remain concerning their being call'd
to the Work; and for preventing (as much as in us
lies) ignorant and ralh Intruders.

HI. of Cenfures.

I./ As it cannot be avoided, but that in the pureft
Churches on Earth, there will fometimes Offences
and Scandals arife by reafon of Hypocrify and pre-
vailing Corruption ; fo Chrift hath made it the Duty
of every Church, to reform itfelf by Spiritual Reme-
dies, appointed by him, to be applied in all fuch Ca-
fes 3 vi:{. Admonition and Excommunication.
2. ' Admonition, being the rebuking of an offending
Member in order to Convidlion, is, in cafe of private
Offences, to be perform'd according to the Rule in
Matth, 18. v. 15, 16, 17: And in cafe of publick Of-
fences, openly before the Church, as the Honour of
the Gofpel, and Nature of the Scandal fhall require :
And if either of the Admonitions take Place for the

* recovery

4So

Some Hifloricitl Additions Chap. XVII.

jln. I 690.

recovery of the fallen Perfon, all further Proceedings
in a way of Cenfure, are thereupon to ceafe, and Sa-
tisfatflion co he declared accordingly.

3. ' When all due Means are us'd, according to the
Order of the Gofpel, for the reftoring an offending
and fcandalous Brother, and he notwithftanding re-
mains Impenitent, the Cenfure of Excommunication
is to be proceeded unto ; wherein the Paflor and other
Elders (if there be fuch) are to lead, and go before
the Church, and the Brotherhood co give their Con-
fent; in a Way of Obedience unto Chrift, and unto
the Elders, as over them in the Lord.

4. ' It may fometimes cocne to pafs, that a Church
Member, not otherwife fcandalous , may finfully
withdraw, and divide himfelf from the Communion
of the Church to which he belongeth ; in which cafe,
when all due Means for the reducing him prove in-
effectual ; he having hereby cut himfelf off* from that
Churches Communion, the Church may juftly ef^eem
and declare itfelf difcharg*d of any further Infpec3:ion
over him.

IV. Of Communion of Churches,

1 . ' We Agree, That particular Churches ought not
to walk fo diftindt and feparate from each other, as
not to have care and tendernefs towards one another :
But their Paftors ought to have frequent Meetings to-
gether, that by mutual Advice, Support, Encourage-
ment, and brotherly Intercourfe, they may ftrengthen
the Hearts and Hands of each other in the Ways of
the Lord.

2. ' That none of our particular Churches Ihall be
Subordinate to one another, each being endu'd with
equality of Power from Jefus Chrift: And that none
of the faid particular Churches, their Officer, or Offi-
cers, (hall exercife any Power, or have any Supe-
riority over any other Church, or their Officers.

3. *That known Members of particular Churches,
Conftituted as aforefaid, may have Occafional Com-
munion with one another in the Ordinances of the
Gofpel, vi:{. the Word, Prayer, Sacraments, Singing
Pfalns, difpenfed according to the Mind of Chrift j
unlefs that Church with which they defire Comtnunion,
hath any juA ExceptioQ againft them. 4. \ That

Chap- XVff. after tfje Revolntionin i62^. 481

4. ' That we ought not to admit any one to be a An. 16^0,
' Member of our refpe£live Congregations, chat hath

* joyn'd himfelf to another, without endeavours of

* mutual Satisfaction of the Congregations concern'd.

5. ' That one ChUrch ought not to blame the Pro-
' ceedings of another, till it hath heard, what that

* Church charg'd, its Elders or Meflengers can fay, in
' Vindication of themfeives from any Charge of irregu-
lar or injurious Proceedings.

6. * That we are moft willing and ready to give an
' Account of our Church Proceedings to each other

* when delir'd, for preventing or removing any Offen-

* ces, that may arife among us. Likewife, we ihall be

* ready to give the right Handof Fellowfliip, and v/a!k:

* together according to the Gofpel Rules of Communion

* of Churches.

V. Of Deacons and Ruling Elders,

^ We agree, the Office of a Deacon is of Divine Afv
pointment, and that it belongs to their Office 10 re- ,

ceive, layout, and diftribute the Churches Stock to
its proper Ufes, by the dirediion of the Paftor and
Elders, iffach there be. And whereas, divers are of
Opinion, that there is alfo the Office of Ruling Elders,
who labour not in Word and Doctrine ; and others
think other wife, we agree, that this difference make
no Breach among us.

VI. Of Synods.

1. * We agree, That in order to Concord, and in
any other weighty and difiicuic Cafes, *tis needful,
and according to the mind of Chrift, that a Synod be
cali'd to confult and advife about fach Matters.

2. * That a Sy^od may confift of fmaller or greater
Numbers, as the Matter Ihall require.

3. ' That particular Churches, their refpe£live Elders
and Members, ought to have a Reverential regard to
the Judgment of fuch Synods, and not diflent there-
from, without apparent Grounds ffcm the Word of
God.

I i VIL

482 Some Hijlorical Additions Chap. XVII.

^Lh

.90

VII. Of our Demear.ouY toxvnrds tbs CiviWMagiJlrate,

I. ' Wf do reckon ourfelves oblig'd continually to
pray fn God'^ Prore<a-ion, guidance and Blcfling up-
on 'he Pvdlers frt over us.

'1. ' Thai we ought to yield unto them not only Snb-
jf ition lu the »-urd, but Support, according to our
Station and Abiluies.

3. * That if ar an" Time it (hall be their Pleafure to
call rogechei ajiy Number of us, or require any Ac-
count ot' our Affairs, and the State of our Congrega-
tions, we Ihall Qioft readily exprefs all dutiful regard
to them herein.

VlII. Of a Confcjfion of Faith,

* As to what appertains to foun(^nefs of Judgment in
*" Matters of Faith, we efteem it fufficient, that a Church

* acknowledge the Scriptures to be the Word of God,
' the perfedt and only Rule of Faith and Pradtice j and

* own either the Dodkrinal Part of thofe commonly
' call'd the Articles of the Church of England, or the

* Confeffion, or Catechifms, ihorter or larger, compil'd

* by the Affembly at PVejlminJier -^ or the Confelfion

* ae^reed on at the Savoy, to be agreeable to the (aid
.* Rule.

IX. Of our Duty and Deportment towards them that are
not in Communion with us,

1 . ' We judge it our Duty to bear a Chriftian Refpe<5t
' to fellow Chriilians, according to their feveral Ranks

* and Stations, that are not of our Perfwafion or Com-
,* munion.

2. * As for fuch as may, be ignorant of the Prin-

* ciple> of the Chriftian Religion, or of vicious
' Converfation, we iliall in our refpec^ive Places,

* as they give us Opportunity, endeavour to ex-

* plain to them the Dodtrme of Life and Salvation,

* and to our utterraoft, perfwade them to be reconcil'd
! toGo^.

, 3. * That fuch who appear to have the effential Re-

* quifites to Church Communion, we fhall willingly

' receive

Chap. XVfl. after the Keijolfition in i6B8: 4:83

* receive them in the Lord, not troubling them with -^«. 1596^
' Difpures about Jefier Matters.

As we Ajfent to the forewentioncd Heads of Agreement, fo
XV3 'Vnanimoiijly ^folve^ as the Lord /hall enable us^ to
PraBice according to them.

There were now publifh'd Two Difcourfes of Mr. D<?-
vid Clarkforiy concerning the Primitive Epifcopncy, and
concerning ihe Ancient Liturgies^ in Two Odlavo's.
About this time alfo was Printed, The Way to Peace
among nil Protefiantsi Being a Letter of Reconciliation,
fenc by Bilhop B^dky to Bifhop Hooper^ with foirie Ani-
madverfions upon it. A Memorial of God* s lafi Twenty'
nine Tears Wonders in England, for its Preservation and
Deliverance frorii Popery arid Slavery, 'the ahfolute
Nccejfity of /landing vigorou/ly by the prefent Govern",
ment; Or a View of what both Church Men and Di{^
fenters muft expe£t, if by their unhappy Divifioqs^'
Popery and Tyranny Ihould return again. A Ihort
View of the Methods made ufe of in Ireland, for tHe
fubverfion and deftrucftion of the Proteftant Religion
and Intereft in that Kingdom, from the beginning of
the Reign of the late King James, to this time ; and of
the fufFering of the Protectants all along. The Myflery
of iniquity working in the dividing of Protejlants, in
order to the fubverting of Religion and our Laws, for
almoft rhe fpace of Thirty Years laft paft plainly laid
open; to wnicHis^added a Specimen, of a Bill for Uni-
ting of Proteftahts., An Examinatinn of the fcruples, .
of rhofe who, refufe to take the Oath of Allegiance.'
)^\ng tVt Hi am ox ¥i\n% Lewis: Or' the. inevitable Ne-
ceflity thefe Nations lie under of fubmittirig wholly to
one or other of thefe Kings. , Reflections upon the Opi-
nions of fome modern Oivines concerning the Nature
of Government in t^e General, and of England in Par-
ticular, witb Magna Charta annexed. And many otHet
Things of the like Nature; the mdft confiderable of
which are put together in tbeColledfion of State Tradls,
publilh'd on Occafipn of the late Revolution in 1688^;
and daring, tfie Reigri of King William III. Vol. r.

m on if''

484 Some Hi ^orkd Addition. Chap, XVII.
Jin. 1^90.

CHAP. XVIIf.

The Cafe of ihe D/jffcntcrs ^ A^d other Eccle-
Jiajhcal Matters^ in the foUovping Years of
the Reign of King William.

K

■^ING li^illlat7i had a difconicntcd Party at the
beginning of his Reign, and he could never
wholly get above it. The Archbiihop of Center-
huiy from the firft refus'dto own his Goven¥Tjent, and fo
did fome of his Suff' ^^^^ris^ out of their regard to the
Allegiatice they had fworn to King James : And many
difcontented PerfoDS tell in with them from the Hopes
or the Fears of his Reftoration. They were difgufted
•with a Revolution that feem'd to have been accom-
plilh'd under the particular Diredlion of Heaven for
the Prefervation of our Religion. They reprefented
all as illegal and unjuftifiable; and cxpedled King
James with an Army, to come and fettle Things upon a
right Foundation ; For the Intereft of the Church of
England^ was in their Opinion invoiv'd with his Inte-
reft, and the one they tho't could not fubfift without
the Rciloration of the other. But as for King H^^iHam^
nothing could perfwade them, but that as they often
fa*'d, by Tolerating all Religions, he intended todeflroy
The Noft' the Church, When the time allow'd by the A€t of Par-
jurin^ cler- liament for the Clergy to take the Oaths was expired,
gy fuj^nd- they who refus'd to qualifie themfelves were fufpended
'^ ^h ab officio. Hereupon a Petition was drawn up, and
Officio. handed about, and fubfcrib'd by many, befceching bis
Majeftv, that the incapacity they were under, might
not difablc them from ferving their MajeAies in their
refpc£>ive Provinces. But others arguM againft it as
prepofterous. A Defign was form'd to bring the Con-
vocation to Petition for their Reftoration : But that alfo
was qualh'd. One publifti'd an Afology for them:
Another in Anfwer to it, publilh*d ayi Examination of
the Cnfe of the fujpch'ded Bifloops. They never could be
prevail'd with to give their Rcafons for refufing the
Oath : And upon that Account it was argu'd to be very
improper for them to have any favour (hewn them. Ac

Icogth

Chap. XVIIL after the Revolution in 1688. 485

length a Mcffage was fent from Queen Mary^ after the An. 1690.
Battle at the Boync *, to try Cfup-

pofiiig the ParJiament could "have ^ See Bi/hopBuvntt'sRefieaions
been brought to difpenfe with their upon a 2amphUt,nntituUd [ Some
taking the Oaths) wheiher the Difceztrfes upon Dr. Buvnet, and
fufpenJed Bi(hops would do their Dr. Tillorfon, occafion'd by the
Fwi^ions, Ordain, Confirm, afllft /ate Tuneral Sermon of the former
at Prayers and Sacramenrs, give In- ^M ^^'^ Matter.'} Oft. 16^6,
ftitutions, and Vifit their Diocefes.
If they would, a Scheme was preparM for offering thac
Matter ro a fecond Confideration in Parliament. But
the deprivM Bifliops would Anfwer nothing, and Pror
mife nothing. And yet the Government proceeded
flowly in filling their Sees; That was not done, till
Letters were difcover'd that fhew'd what Correfpon-
dcncies and Engagements there were among them.

Dr. Shcr/ccl{s Cafe, who was Mafter of the Temple The Md*
was particular. Had he taken the Oaths at firft sls ft^^ementof
others did, no more notice had been taken of him than ^*"- ^her-
of the reft: But he refusM, and 'tis laid, cncourag'dl ^°^^'
others to do fo too, and difcontinued Preaching from
Augvfti. 1689, to Fehnary 2. i6*ry when he began
again; declaring from the Pulpit that he did it with
the Permiflion of his ^upcriours, and the Advice of
fome Eminent Lawvers. Upon this a Pamphlet was
publiihM, CcdVdtht New Norjccnf or mist; or Dr. Skerlocl(s t TheCa*
Cafe in Preaching after a Deprivation ; fhewing, that '^^"^ ^'^ ^Z'*
he hereby juftified the Konconformifts, whom he, as well Overair5
as others, had fo much biam'd for Preaching after their ^"^"^^^^^'^^
being SilencM by the ^a of Vniformity in 62. At^^'^^^J^'^^
length lie'dud being rcduc'd, and King James fled, he r^'^'j /*"**
alfo thought fie to take the Oath : And it was common- "^^^or^^y.
ly faid, that King (^Vi/L'nm's Snccersat the Boyne ^i^sihc /lament nor
convincing Argument that remov'd his Scruples. He/c» muth as
then publilh'd the Cnfc of the Allegiance due to Sovereign Ratified by
Po\9erSy Stated and Hs/olvcd, according to Scripture and the Kin^s
Reafon, and the Principles of the Church of England^ betters Fa'
with a more particularRefpedt to the Oath lately en join'd, ^^"^^- ^^
of Allegiance to their prcfent Majeilies. In the Preface''"'^ would

to it, hq mentions Bifliop Overal's Convocation Booki. as-^^ '^" '^^*
■ • ^ " count of

them, may confult a Book intituled, The Spirit of the Cburch Faftion de-

tefted in it? Nature and Operations ^ more particularly in the Myftery of

the Convocation Book lately publifh'dy and exposed to the Fiexa and Cenfure

Cjf the World, by the late Archbijhop of Canterbury, Printed in l6^i, 4C0.

J i 3 that;

486 Some tiijioricul x-iddhJons Chap. XVIII.

An. 159c. |;h^5 which openM bis Eyes and gave him full Satisfadi-
on. Many were the Anfwers return d to this, his
Vir^dication of j^ioifclf. Several Remarks were
mide upon his Management of this Subjedb of the
Oath. As, that he wav'd ihe Legality ofihc [{evoluticn,
and confcquent Settlement, and Jaid his main ftrefs on
the difppial of Providence j and fo faid no more than
nijght be faid in the Cafe of any Ufurpcr: That King
H\llia7?is Right couy never be Maintain'd or Defended
upon his Hypothef^s ; and that there was little room for
^confiding in Pcrfcuio that fell in with fuch a Government
^as;thi5 upon iucti Giognds. One upon this Occafion
y^'tq\<^ii^rrt^ratul'pjy Litter w Mv. Samuel Johnfon^ who
h^dbeenTuch a Sufferer for the fake of our Englifh Li-
bertiei: And no fide was pleas'd. The Dodlcr fell un-
der the difpleafure of the Jiicobites becaufe he deferted
iheai ; and the zealous Friends of King PViHiarns
Government, were far from being fatisfy'd, becaufe he
fecfi.'d to fall in with them but by halves.
V The Hiftory of Pa (five Obedience was pow publifli'd,

to pi ovp the unwarrantablehefs of a Nations defending
their Rights and Liberties, and refcuing themfelves
jfrotn Slavery : Mr. John/on wrote Refle£lions upon it j
and fhcw'd that the Opinions of private Doctors there
col!e<51:ed were but flights of Fla:tery, oppofite to the
Eflablilh'd Dodlrine of the Chwch of England, and to
Six -ich of FnrHnment,
- t.z»- Thofe of the Clergy that refus'd to take the Oaths,
V';-.bf :' '^-'« caird thofc who fell in with the Government Scbifma-
■Th'ifj^i^rors.- ticj^s., and were for Confining the Church of England to
th'-irown Party: And they accus'd thofe of their own
Church whom they were for feparating from, of immo-
ralities in their Prayers, and of all the Mifchiefs done
in the Wars, and of fttting up Antibilhops : Nay, fome
d'd not flick to declare, that they were out of the
Church, and that there was no Salvation to be had
among th- m in the ordinary Way. Upon occafion of
thefc Differences a great many Wriungs were piiblilh'd,
and foHTC of them drawn up with great heat and
warr^ith. One put out a Pamphlet with this Title;
ffw r'^^ the Clergy and other Members .pf the Church of
•El>glai^d ught tn Communicate voith the Non-fvpearing Bi^
j}'opj. In which he pleads that Canonical Obedience
was ftill due from the Clergy to their Ordinaries, and

noc

Chap. XVIIL afterthe Revoltithnin i68S. 487

not to be transfer'd to others; it being reprefented as .^w. 1690*
contrary to all the Canons of the Ancient Church, that
Two Bilhops Ihould exercife their Jurifdiftions, at the
fame time, in the fame See; which he affirms could not
be without damnable Schifm. The Men of this Stamp
had a new Form of a Liturgy now among them, which
was very Remarkable^; 1*11 fingle out a few Paflages * See «
by which the reft may be judgM off. It w2ls c^li'd. a Paw^hiet
Form of Prayer and Humiliation for God^s "Bleffings upon his Entituled^
Majejiy^ and his Domhijons, and for removing and averting Rcflefti-
of God's Jtidgnisnts from tlm Church and State, It had °°^ "PO" a
in it fiich Exprellions as thefe : B^ftore to us again ^ the ^^^^ of
Pubiick^Pf^j'fhip of thy Natne, the J^everent Adminiftration ^^J^^^J.
of thy Sacraments : B^ife up the former Government both r Jr^
in Church and State, that xvs may be no longer without ^-l^^^ "J c -
Kjng, without Prieif, without God in the iVorld. J4^e n^^^ ^f jj^g
humbly befeech thee to lock, compajfwnately on thti perfecuted Church of
Part of thy Church, now driven from thy Public^, Altars in- England.
t6 Corners and fecret Clofets : That thy ProteHion may be Printed for
over us wherever weJJ-Jall befcatter'^d, and a B^emnant pre- Richard
fervd among ft us^ by whom thy Name may be Glorified, thy Baldwin,
Sacraments Adminijired, and the Souls of thy Servants ^^9'^-
kept upright, in the midji of a corrupting and a corrupted
Generation, T'f^e pray thee to be Gracious to our Prince^
v^ho for the Sins loth of Prices and People ^ is now kept
out J and that in thy due Time thou wouldlf deal with him
according to the Juftice of his Caufe, Comfort him, O
Lord^ in the fadnef cf his Spirit ; guide him in the per-
plexity of his Mind, and Jupport him in the freights and
neceffit.ies cf his Fortunes . f{alfe him Friends Abroad'^
Convert or Confound the Hearts cf J)is Enemies at Home,
Do feme mighty Thing for Jiim, which

we in particular kjiow not how to Pray t '^** ebferyaUe, that foon

for: And by the fecret TV.ndings, and "^'^^^ '^■'** ^^*'^ ^f Flayer w^of
powerful iVurki^igs of thy Provide?7ce, t"^blip)'d (the Author of Kphich is
make the Stone which thefe fool ifh ^ot generally knorrn,^ there v;ere
Builders have rrjecled, the bead Stone ^^f^^^^^^ Mf^^ dtfcoyerd, of
c 1 ^ •' T> / • / r. JubyertinT the Goyemment. and

of the Corner, — By thy mighty Pow- v n ■ ^ j^- ^ x „ .' , i

•',,.', , r^ ;*^. / Rejiorin'r Kinr James, with the
er deliver fuch, who for obeying thee ^gifiance <f a French rorce.
and a good Confcience^ are, or fhaUbe Several that were concern d were
defigned to Death or I{uin f. Turn taken, and the Lord Prefton and
the Hearts of the Children to the Fa- Mr, Afhton try'd and found
iher, and the Difohedient to thelVtf- Guilty: Tbo' the lafi only Juffer'ik^
domoftbejuit^ 8<c.

li 4 Pey

488 Some Hifiorical Additions Chap. XVII l-

An. 16^0. They tbanhus pray'd againft the Government could
not realbnably expcdl any Favour from it: For they not
only dlfownM it, and inveigh'd againft it as a down
right Ufurpation, but they pray'd for fuch as were
guilty of Treafonable Pradices againft it. No fuch
C.inthifr as this could ever be charged on the Diflenters
Prayers, as warinly as they had often been Refledted
on. And in fome PalTages there was a Prophanenefs
that was Peculiar to themfelves. But on the other fide,
feveral Writings were publilh'd in Vindication and De-
fence of the Body of the Church of England againft
thefe Men. As Confcience Jatisfiod, in a Cordial and
L'^yd fubmitting to the prefent Government : In Three
Difcourfes, juftifying the H^illiamites againft the Jaco-
bites. The firft being Animadverfions on a Book En-
tituled, T/i(? Dodrine of N on- I{ef] fiance cr PaJJive-Obedi'
eve no W.^y concern d in the Controverfjes now depending
between the Williamites and the Jacobites. The Second
on 1 S/tw. 13.30: The Third on Dan. 5.10. And the
vanity and fttljity of the Hifiory of P^Jfive-Obedience de-
teHed. Both by Mr. Tim. W^lfon. And the Prefent
Settlement Vindicated^ and the late Mifgovernment Provd^
&c.
The Car- In the mean time the Dijfenters Univerfally, freely,
ria^e of the and without fcruple took the Oath to the Government,
Diireruers. difclaim'd the new coin'd Diftindtionof a King de faclo,
in Oppofitionto one<^^ jure, readily fign'd the Aflbci-
• ation in Defence of their Majefties Title, chearfully
paid their Taxes, pray'd heartily for the King and
Queen, and for Succefs againft their Enemies, and in
ail refpedls behav'd themfelves as good Subjects, and
their Majefties were well fatisfied in their Conduct,
and had not the Jeaft uneafinefs from them. They
thank'd God and their Rulers for their Liberty, and fee
themfelves to make a Religious Improvement of it. They
publickly Ordain'd fuch to the Sacred Miniflry as had
had a Learned Education in order to their fitnefs for
it ; firft carefully examining them, and then folemnly
/ laying Hands upon them, after Fafting and Prayer, ac-

cording to the Rules for that Parpofe, in the D;Vf ^^^9- of
the '^Vcjhninfhr Affcmbly. They carried it lovingly to each
other, and aifVed in Concert: And were Moderate towards
the Eftablifh'd Church, who were now too much divided
araone themfelves to be at leifure to falJ out with them.

, .^ ■ • A

Chap. XVIII. after the Revolution in 1688. 489

A Paper was about this Time publifliM, intituled, ^«. 1690.
Humble ^tjuejis both to Conformifts nnd Dijfemers,
toifiching their Temper and Behaviour towards each other ^
upon the lately paf/d Indulgence, which is fit to be
preferv d to Pofterity. When I have added, that it
was drawn up by as great a Man as Mr. Hoxve^ I can
leave it to the World to judge, which Side difcover'd
the better Temper.

Humble Requefis both to Coxi^oxm&s' and Dif-
fenters, touching their Temper and Behaviour
towards each other ufon the Jatelv paffed
Indulgence,

* ^TpH AT we do not over-magnifie our Differences, Humble
-*- * or count them greater than they truly are. Eequejis
I fpeak now of the proper Differences which the l^oth to Con-
Rule it felf makes, to which the one Sort confoTmSyf^^/^'fi^^"^
the other conforms not. Remember that there are P'!//^«^crj,
Differences on both Parts, among themfehes, incom-*'* ^^9®'
parably greater than thefe, by which the one Sort ,
differs from the other. There are Differences in Do-
dlrinal Sentiments, that arc much greater. How un-
conceivably greater is the Difference between good
Men and bad! between being a Lover of the bleffed
God, the Lord of Heaven and Earth, and an Enemy!
a real Subjeft of Cbrift, and of the Devil ! Have we
not Reafon to apprehend there are of both thefe, on
each Side ? Let us take Heed of having our Minds
tindlurM with a wrong Notion of this Matter, as if
this Indulgence divided £w^/dK^ into two Chrifiendoms,
or diftinguilht rather between Chriftians andAi?/jo-
metans, as fome Men's Cyclopick fancies have an un*
lucky Art to reprefent Things, creating ordinary Men
and Things into Monfters, and prodigious Shapes
at their own Pleafure. It hath been an ufual faying
on both Sides, That they were ( in Comparilon )
but little Things we differ'd about, or circumftan-
tial Things. Let us not unfay it, or fuffer an habit
of Mind to Hide intd us, that confifts not with it.
Tho* one muft not go againft a Judgment of Confcience
in the leaft Thing: yet let us not confound the true
. . . .^" • *Dif-

490 Some Hifiorkal Additions Chap, XVIII.

^«. 16^0.

Differences of, Things; buc what are really icifer
Things let them go for fuch.

2. * Let us hereupon carefully abftain from iudging
each others States God-ward upon thefe Differences.
For hereby we lliall both contradi(5kour common Rule,
and ourfelves. When Men- inake Confcienceof fmall
and doubdiil Things, ort the one Hand, and the other,
about which they differ, bleffed God ! how little Con-
fciencc is made of the plaineft and moft important
Rule, not to judge onp another for fuch Differences ?
F(im. 14, 3, 13. Why of all the Parts of that Holy
Book is this Chapter onlyrhought no'Part of God's
Word 1 or this Precept io vanoufly enforc't in this
Chapter ! and fo awfully 1 Verfe 10, 1 1. But why
doft thou judge thy Brother ? or rvhy doji thou fet at nought
thy Brother .' we /hall all fiend before tUi Judgment Seat
of Chrifi, Tor it is. writ t en y. As J live faith ^he Lord^
every Kjiee fhall howto^me^ und efvexy Tongue (hall con"
fefs to God, Is it a light Matter to ufurp the
Throne of Chrift, the Jqdgtnent Seat of God ? Yet
how common hath it been to fay, fuch a One con-
forms, he hath nothinc of God in him? Such a One
conforms not, *tis not Confcience bur Humour.^ God
forgive both ! Had they blotted, i^om. 14. out of their
Bibles ? 'Tis plain by the whole Series of Difcourfe,
'tis the judging of Men's States, and by fuch fmall
Matters of Difference, that is the Thing here forbid-
den. Orherwife that there is a lawful judging of o-
thers, who knows not ? fome few Things contain'd
in this Chapter [To receive one r.nother, ( i. e. as Chri-
ftians, or as Such volom G^d receives ) notwithftanding
remaining Doubts about fuch fmall Matters, not deter -
mining fuch doubted Things in Bar to the Doubter;
Vcrfe » , 1, 3 : Or not to lay S^tmhlirig'bloc\s in each 0-
thers PV^y j Verfe i 3 : Not to do the doubted Thing,
with a MinJ Jim unfatijficd, Verfe 5. 23. Not to cen-
fure either him that does or fqrbears, not admitting an
hard Thoiigbt of him, or Icfs favourable, than that
what fuch n one dves^ he does to the Lcrd, and what
the other forbears, he forbears it to tie Lord, Verfe 6.]
Thcfe two Things 1 fay, put in Fradtice, had taken,
away all Differences, ( that we are now confidering )
or the Inconvenience of them long ago. And we
Ihall ftill need them as much as ever.

3. ' Let

Chap. XVIII. after the RevolutioH in 1688. 491

3. ' Let us not value our Selves upon being on this -^. i59(

* or that Side of the fevering Line. Tis Jcvpifk, yea

* Pharifaicnl 10 be conceited, and boaft our felvesupon

* Externals, and fmall Matters ; efpecially if arbitrarily

* taken up, and is icfelf an Argument of alight Mind,

* and incon:iprehenfive of true Worth. Tho' ! cannot

* fincerely be of this or that Way, but Imuft think my
^ fejf in the Right, and others in the Wrong that differ
.^T irom m^ ; yet I ought to confider, this is but a fmaJI,
.j.jjiinupe Thing, a Point compared with the vaft Orb
I'^of Knowables, and of Things needful, and that ought
'^' fdbe known. Perhaps divers that differ from me are

* Men of greater, and more comprehenfive Minds, and
* . have been moreemploy'd about greater Matters , and
',* • many, iti Things of more Importance, have much more
**^or valuable and ufeful Kowledge than L Yea, and

* fince thefe are not Matters of Salvation we differ about,

* fo that any, on either fide, dare confiderately fay, \m

* Cannot be faved that is not, in thefe Refpedts, of my
•^ Mind and Way, he may have more of fancftifying, fa-
*voury Knowledge, more of folid Goodnefs, more of
f Grace and real San(5tity than L The Courfe of his
5. Thoughts and Studies having been by Converfe and
*. Other Accidents led more oflf from thefe Things ; and
,* "perhaps, by a good Principle been more deeply en-

* gaged about higher Matters ; for no Man's Mind is a-

* ble equally to conGder all Things fit to be confidered,
' and greater Things are of themfelves more apt to be-
' get holy and good ImpreiTions upon our Spirits, than

* the minuter and more circumftantial Things (tho' re-

* lating to Religion) can be.

4. ' Lee us not defpife one another, for our difFer-

* ing in thefe lefTer Matters. This is too common, and

* mofl natural to that Temper that offends againft the

* foregoing Caution. Little fpirited Creatures valuing
themfelves for fmall Matters, mufl confequently have
them in Contempt that want what they count their
own only Excellency. He that hath nothing wherein
he places Worth, belonging to him, befides a Flaunt-
ing Petuque and a Lac't Suit, mufl at all Adventures
think very meanly of one in a plain Garb. Where we
are taught not to judge^ we are forbidden to defpife^
or fet at naught one another upon thefe little Diffe-
rences,

«;. 'Not

492 Soni: HiftnriCitl Additions Chap. XVFII.

An. i6^o. 5. * Nor let us wonder that we differ. Unto this
we are too arr- /. c. To ihlnk it ftrange, (elpecially
upon fome arguing of the Difference) thai fuch a Man
Ihould confo'.ni, or fuch a one not conform. There is
fome Fault in this, but which pr ceeds from n:|ore
faulty Canfes. Pri etco often, and an Opinion that
we underlland fo vvell,that a Wrong isdone us, if our
Judgment be not made a Standatd and Meafure to
another Man's. And again, ignorance of Humane
Nature, or Inconfideratencfs rather, how myfteriods
it is, and how litcle can be known of it : Hcwifecrec
and latent, little Springs thrrc are, that move this En-
gine, c:ir own Mhid, this Way or that; and v^at bars
which (perhaps he difcerns not himfelO may obftrud:,
and Ihut up towards us another Man's. Have we rot
frequent Inftances in other common Cafes, how diffi-
cult it is to fpeak to another Man's Underftanding.
Speech is too penurious, net expreffive enough. Fre-
quently between Men of Senie, much more Time is
taken up in explaining each others Notions, than in
proving, or difproving them. Nature, and our pre-
fent Siaie, have in fome Refpeds, left us open to God
only, and made us inacceifible to one another. Why
thenlhould it be Grange to me, that I cannot convey
my Thought into another's Mind ? *Tis Unchriftian to
cenfurc (as before) fuch a one hath not my Confcience,
therefore he hath no Confcience at all ; bat it is alfo
unreafonable and rude, to fay, fuch a one fees not
with mine Eyes, therefore he is (tark blind. Befides,
the real Obfcurity of the Matter is not enough conli-
dered. I am very confident an impartial, and com-
petent judge, upon the V:ew of Books, later, and
more ancient, upon fuch Subjects, would fay, there
are few Meraphyfical Queftions difputed with more
Subtlety than the Controverfies about Conformity,
and Nonconformity. Bleffed be God, thai Things
neceiTary to the Salvation of Souls, and that are of
true Kccrjfity^ even to the Peace and Order of the
Chriftian Church, are in Comparifon fo very plain.
* Moreover there is bcfides bare Vnderftanding and
Judgment^ and divers from that heavenly Gift which
in the Scriptures is called Grace, fuch a Thing as
guft and rclilh belonging to the Mind of Man, and I
iloubt not with all Men, if they obferve themfclves,

* and

.1 '

Chap.XVIIl. after the }<evohitionini6^%. 493

and which is as unaccountable, and as various, as the -dn. 16^0-
ReJilhes and Difgufts of Senfe. This they only won-
der at, that either underftand not themfelves, or will
confider no Body but themfelves. To bring it down
CO the prefent Cafe. As to thofe Parts of Worfhip,
which arc of moft frequent Ufe in our AfTembhes
(whether Conforming or Nonconforming) Pmyer^
and preachings ZTidihenrhg of God's Word I Our Diffe-
rences about thefc cannot, but in Pare, arife from
the diversity of ibis Principle, both on the one Hand,
and the other. One Sort do more favour Prayer by
a foreknown Forrti j nnother that which hath more
of furprize, by a grateful Variety of unexpeOed Ex-
preflions. And it can neither be univerfally faid, it is
a better Judgment or more Grcce^ that determines Men
the one Way or the other, but fomewhat in the Tem-
per of their Minds diftinci from both, which I know
not how better to exprefs than by mental Taft^ the
ads whereof ( as the Obje(fl:s are fuitable or unluka-
ble ) are relifhing or difreliftiing, Hking or difliking :
And which hath no more of Myftery in it, than that
there is fuch a Thing belonging to our Natures as Com-
placency or Difpliccncy in Reference to the Objeiits of
the Mind. And this, in the Kind of it, is as common
to Men, as Humane Nature, but as much diverfify'd
in Individuals, as Men's other Inclinations are, that
are moft fixed, and leaft apt to admit of Change*
Now in the mentioned Cafe, Men cannot be faid ro
be univerfally determined ;!ither Way by their having
better Judgment,- for no fober Man can be fo Jittle
modeft, as not to acknowledge^ that there are fome of
each Sentiment, that are lejs judicious, than fome
that are of the contrary Sentiment, in this Thing.
And to fay that to be more determined this Way, or
that, is the certain Sign, or Etfedl, of a greater Mea-
fure of Grace, and Sanctity, were a great Viola-
tion both of Modefty and Charity. I have not met
with any that have appeared to live in more en-
tire Communion with God, in higher Admiration
of him, in a pleafanter Senfe of his l,ove, more hum-
ble fruitful Lives on Earth, or in a more joyful Ex-
pectation of eternal Life, than fome that have been
wont with great Delight publickJy to worlhip God in
the Ufc of our Common Prayer j and others I have

* known

494 ^^^^ Hifloncal Additions Ghap. X VIII.

An. 1690.

known as highly excelling in the fame Refpecfls, that
could by no Means rclilh it, but have always counted
it infipid and naufeous. The like may be faid of re-
lillilng or difreHlhing Sermons preached in a digsftcd
ftc of Words, or with a niore flowing freedom of
Speech. It were endlefs and odious to vye either
better Judgmern^Sy or more pious Inclinations^ that
(hould iiniverfally determine Men one Way or the o-
ther in thefe Matters. And we are no more to won-
der at thefe Peculiarities in the Temper of Men s
Minds, than at Men's different Taftes of Meats and
Drinks, much lefs to fail out with them that their
Mmds and Notions are not juft formed as ours are ;
for we (hould remember they no more differ from us,
than we do from them ; and if we think, we have
the clearer Light, 'tis like they alfo think they have
clearer. And 'tis in vain to fay, who (hall be
Judge } For every Man will at length judge of his
own Notions for himfelf, and cannot help it ; for
no Man's Judgment (or relifh of Things, which in-
fluences his Judgment, tho' be know it not ) is at
the Command of his Will ; much lefs of another
Man's. Therefore,

6. ' Let us not be offended mutually with one ano-
ther for our different Choice of this or that Way,
wherein we find moft of real Advantage and Edifica-
tion. Our greateft Concern in this World, and which
is common to us all, is the bettering of our Spirits,
and preparing them for a better World. Let no Man
be difpleafed (efpecially of thofe who agree io all the
Subftantials of the fame holy Religion) that another
ufes the fame Liberty, in.choofing the Way moft con-
ducing in his Experience, to his great End, that he
himfelf alfo ufes, expe^3:ing to do it without another
Man's Offence.

7. * But above all, let us with fincere Minds, more
carneftly endeavour the promoting the Intereft of Re-
ligion it M(y of true reformed Chriftianity, than of
this or that Party. Let us long to fee the Religion of
Chriftians become fimple, primitive, agreeable to its
lovely Original State, and again it /elf, and each in
our own Stations contribute thereto all that we are a-
ble, labouring that the Internal Principle of it may

-live and flourifh in our owq Souls, and be to our ut-

* moft

Chap. XVIII. after the Revolntion in 1688, 495

* moft, diffused and fpread unto other Men's. And for ^«. i5po.
' its Externals, as the Dudture of our Rule will guide

' us, fo gradually co bend towards one common Courfe,

* that there may at length ceafe to beany divided Par*

* ties at all.

' In the mean Time, while there are, let it be re-
membred that the Ditference lies among Chriftians,
and Proteftants, not between fuch and Pnxnm. Let
us therefore carry it accordingly towards each other,
and confider, our Affemblies are all ChriiUan and
Proteftant Aifemblies, differing in their Adminiftra- '
tions for the moft Part, not in the Things prayed for,
or deprecated, or taught, but in certain Modes of
Expreffion. And differing really, and in the Subftance '
of Things, lefsby meer Conformity, or Nonconformity
to the publick Rule of the Law, than many of them
thnt are under it do from one another ; and than
divers that ^re not unAer it. For In (lance, go into one
Congregation, 1. e, a Conforming one, and you have
the Publick Prayers read in the Desk, and afterwards a
Form of Prayer, perhaps ufed by the Preacher in the
Pulpit, of his own Compofure, before he begins his
Sermon. Go incO' another Congregation^ and Prayer
is performed without cither Sort of Form, and per-
haps the Difference in this is not fo great. It may be
the Conformift ufes no preconceived Form of his
own, and the Nonconformift may. Both indruc^ the
Peopie out of the fame holy Book 06 God's Word.
But now fuppofeone of the former Sort read the
PnbJick Prayers; gravely, with the Appearance of
great Reverence^ Fervency, and pious Devotion; *
and one of the latter Sort that ufes them not, does
hAwever pray for the fame Thing?, with Jadgmentj
and with like Gravity and Affedkion, and they both
inftrudt their Hearers fitly, and profitably : Nothing
is more evident, than that the Worfhip in thefe two
Affemblies doth much lefs confiderably differ to a
pious and judicious Mind, than if in the latter, the
Prayers were alfo read, but careleily, fleepily, or fce-
nically, flauntingly, and with manifeft Irreverence,
and the Sermon like the reft : Or than; if in the for-
mer, all the Performance were inept, rude, or very
ofFenfively drowfy or fluggifh.

* Nowf

49^ Some Hijloncal Additions Chap. XVlH,

An. i6g>c. * Now let us /hew our Tf^ Ives Men, and manly Chri-
ftians^ not fwayed by Trifles and little Things, as
Children, by this or that Drefs or Mode, or Form of
our Religion, which may perhaps pleafe fome the
more for its real Indecency. But know, that if
while we continue picquering about Forms, the Life
be loil, and wc come to bear the Charadter of that
Church, Thcu haft a Name that thou liveji^ and art
deady we may ere long (after all the Wonders God
hath wrought for us) expedt to hear of our Candle-
fticks being removed, and that our Sun (hall go down
at Noon-day.

* The true ferious Spirit, and Power of Religion and
Godlinefs, will acft no Man againft his Confciencc, or
his rule underftood ; but will oblige him in all Aoi:s
of Worfhip ( as well as of his whole Converfation )
to keep clofe to Gofpel-prefcripiion, fo far as he can
difcero it. And that, he will find requires, that in
Subordination to the Divine Glory, he ferioufly de-
fign the working out the Salvation of his own Soul,
and take that Gourfe in Order thereto, put himfelf
under fuch a Miniftry, and fuch a Way of ufing
God's Ordinances, as he finds moft profitable, and
conducing to that great End, and that doth his Soul
moft real Good. If you are Religious, or of this or
that Mode or Way of Religion, to fervc a carnal Dc-
fign for your felf or your Party, not to fave your
. Soul, you commit the moft deteftable Sacriledge, and
alienate the moft facred Thing in the World, ^iigion^
from its true End ; which will not only lofe that End,
but infer an heavy Vengeance. Yea, and 'tis too pof-
fible to tranfgrefs dangeroufly by preferring that which
is lefs, tho' never fo confidently thought to be Di-
vine, before that which is greater, or feparafely
from its true End. You greatly prevaricate, if you
are more zealoufly intent to promote Independency
than Chriftianity, Presbytery than Chriftianiiy, Pre-
lacy than Chriftianity, as any of thcfe are the Intereft
of a Party, and not being confidered in Subfervicncy
to the Cbriftian Intereft, nor defigned for promoting
the Edification and Salvation of your own Soul. But
that being your Delign, Living Religion will keep your
Eye upon your End, and make you ftcady and con-
ftantly true to that ; and to your Rule, without which
you can nevei hope to leicb your End. \ Nov^

Chap. XVIII. after the Revolution in 1 6 88, 497

* Now hereupon, fuch as conform to the Pibiick -^«. 16^0*
'*■ Eftabliftiiuent, and they that ililTent from it, may

* differ from each other upon a twofold Account. Ei-

* ther I . As judging the contrary Way, to be limply

* unlawful : Or, 2. As judging it to be only Jefs edi-

* fying. 'Tis not the Buiinefs of this Paper to difcufs,

* who herein judge aright, and voho wrong; but fup-
' pofing their Judgment to remain as it is (which they
' themfelves however (hould examine, and if it be
' wrong retSifie.) I IhalJ fay fomewhat to each of thefe

* Cafes.

* To the former, While your Judgment continues as

* it is, 'tis true, you cannot join in Worfhip with the

* contrary minded ; but nothing forbids, but you can

* be kind, converfable, courteous towards them ; and

* your common Chriftian Profefiion ( befides the Rules

* of Humanity) oblige you fo to be : Yea, and even

* to converfe with them as Occafion invites, more in-
' timately as Chnfiians, the vifible marks of ferious
' Chriftanity appearing irn them.

* To the latter Sort it is acknowledged, you cannot

* conftantly join in Worfliip with tbofe of the contrary

* Way ; becaufe you ought ordinarily to worfhip God

* in that Way which you judge to be befl, and mofl a-

* greable to the Divine Rule, (tho' you are not obli-
' ged utterly to abandon any for its Imperfedtions or

* Corruptions, that is not corrupt in the very Eifentials :)
*" And that you ought moft frequently to attend on
' that which you find to be moft edifying to your own

* Soul : As that fhould be your more ordinary Diet
^ that beft agrees with you. And that Way therefore
' you muft moft conftantly adhere to, which is moft

* grateful and favoury to you ; becaufe ycu cannot fo

* much edihe by what you lefsreliih. But your Judg-

* ment and Latitude will well allow you fometimes to

* frequent the Alfemblies with which you hold not

* conftant Communion. And if it will allow, it Will

* alfo direct you thereto for a valuable End ; as that
' you may fignifie you ordinarily decline them not as

* no Chriftians, or their Worfliip as no Worfliip; but

* as more defective or lefs edifying ; and that you may

* maintain love, and both exprefs, and beget a Difpo-
' fition to nearer Union. And if our Rulers lllall judge

* fuch Intercourfesr conducing to fo defirable an End,

K k they

498 Some Hiftorkal Addition. Chap, X VIll.

wl». 169c.* ihey may perhaps in due Time think it reafonableto

* put Things into that State that Minifters of both Sorts

* may be capable of inviting one another occafionally
f to the Brotherly Offices of mutual AlFiftance in each

* others Congregations. For which, and all Things

* that tend to make us a happy People, we muft wait
^ upon him, in whofe Hands their Hearts are.

Howe\ er, had the Diffenters at that Time taken
fome Steps that were oa;itted, fome ill Confequences
that at'tsr wards a rofe might have been prevented ; par-
ticularly had they now fet up a General Conefpondence
in all Parts of the Kingdom, and regularly kept it up,
many good Ends might have been anfwered ; and there
would have been no fuch Clamours as were rais'd and
fpread upon their attempting it fome Years afterwards.
But from the Firft, there were fome that kept a watch-
ful Eye upon them, to take Care that they might be no
farther conniv'd at than the Law oblig'd the Church to
give them their Liberty : Tho* there were others who
tho't they had as equitable a Right to fome farther Al-
lowances, as to any that were particularly made them
m the Adt of Indulgence. 1 ihall mention their hav-
ing Schools and Academies for the training up their
Youth, as an Inftance : And that the rather, becaufe
it being left out in the Ac3: of Exemption, ( it were no
difficult Thing to cell by whofe Means it was expungd
after it was inlerted, if that were needful -,) fome even
in this Reign gave them Difturbance about it. And Bi-
* Ste his filop Stiiii.'ig fleet * having in his Primary Vifitation this
Eccleliafti- y^^y Year, charg'd his Clergy to acquaint themfelves
cil Cafes, ^j^i^ ^jjg Dijfenters^ and endeavour to oblige them, and
^ o^ '*, let them iee that they had no other Defign upon them
F"*- 3^- bm; jQ ^3q [hem good ; adds, That if nftsr all they grotQ
more Hc^djlrong and htjhlent by the Indulgence which
the Law gives them, he would have them tal^e Notice,
whether they ohfervd thoje Conditions on which the Lav9
gives it to them. For fays he, thefe are l^ttown I{tdes in
JLaWy that he forfeits his Priviledge, who goes beyond the
Bounds of it ; that no Priviledges are to be extended be-'
yond the Bounds which the Laws give them ^ for they ought
to be cbjovd as they are given, I leave it (fays he) to
be confider*dy whether all fuch as do not cbferve the Condi'
tions of the Indulgence^ be not at liable to the Latp^ as if

they

-Chap. XVIfL after the Revolntion in i6^^, 499

they had hone. This is a plain Intimation he was not -^»- i6<^Cs*
defirous the Dijfenters fhould have too much Liberty.
Nor was this peculiar to him : It was the common
Temper of the Clergy towards them.

It was therefore very feafonably that Mr. Lock, at Mr. Lock's
this Time publifti'd his two Letters of Tclertition^ with ttvofirfi
fomc Account of which I Ihali clofe this Year's Occur- Letters of
fences. His firft Letter on this Subject, was printed in Toleration.
La'fin in HcHnnd, in 1689 ; and was now publifli'd in
Engiifh. He there aflerts that Toleration is a Mark of
the true Chriftian Church, and an effentiaj Part of
Charity. He is for carefully keeping up the Liftin-
(Stion between the Common-wealth and the Churchl
The Common-wealth ( according to hitn ) is a So-
ciety of Men, conftitured only for the preferving, pro-
curing and advancing of their civil Inrerefts, fuch
as Life, Health, Liberty, and the PoffefliOn of out-
ward Things. He afferts that the Care of Sbuhl
is not committed to the Civil Magiftrate, any more
than to other Men ; and that his Power confifls only iil
outward Force. But the Church he reprefents as a vo-
luntary Society of Men, joining themfelves together
of their own Accord, in Order to the publick wor-
shipping of God, in fuch a Manner as they judge ac-
ceptable to him, and effedual to the Salvation of theit
Souls. The Right of making Laws for this Society,
can ( fubordinately to the fupreme Divine Legiflator )
belong to none but the Society it felf ; or to thofe
whom the Society by common Confent has authorized
thereunto. No Force is here to be made Ufe of, the
Arms by which the Members of this Society are tcj be
kept within their Duty, are Exhortations, Admonitions,
and Advices. No Church is bound by the Duty of T(7/er4-
tion to retain any fuch Perfon in her Borom,as after Ad^-
monition continues obft in ately to offend againft the Laws
of the Society. No private Perfon, nor particulat
Church, has any Right, in any Manner to prejudice
others in their Civil Enjoyments, becaufe they are of
another Church or Religion. They that are diftin-
guilh'd by an Ecclefiaftical Chara£ter and Office, have
no Right to deprive fuch as are not of their Church and
Faith, either of Liberty, or of any Part of their worldly
Goods upon the Account of any Difference in Reli-
gion ; Nay they are to prefs the Duties of Peace and

K k 2, Good--

5 CO Some Hiftorical Additions Chap. XV 11 1.

'dn. 1 55c. Good-will towards all Men, and to exhort: all to Cha-
rity, Meeknefs, and Toleration. The principal Care
of every Mao's Soul belongs to himfelF. It does not
belong to the Magiftrate to prefcribe Laws to the Re-
jigion of others, either by his own Judgment, or by the
Ecclefiaftical Authority and Advice of others. Tho'
the Magillrates Opinion in Religion Ihould be found,
and the Way that he appoints truly Evangelical, yet
if Perfons are not thoroughly perfwaded thereof in
their own Minds, ihcre can be no Safec\ for them in
followir;g it ; they niuft therefore be left to their own
Confcienccs. They are to enter into Religious So-
cieties, as they apprehend may be moft to their Advan-
tage. And fuch Societies the Magiftrate is to tolerate.
As to outward VVoifhip, the Magiftrate has no Power to
enforce by Law, either in his own Church, or much lels
in another, the Ufe of any Rites or Ceremonies what-
foever in the Worlhip of God. It no Ways concerns
the Common-wealth or any Member of it, that this
or the other Ceremony be there made ufe of. And
withal, Things indifferent in common Ufe, when they
come to be annexed to Divine Worlhip without Di-
vine Authority, are as abominable to God as the Sacri-
fice of a Dog. Circumftances of Divine Worfhip that are
in General neceifary, may be determined, but not Parts
added. Nor has the MagiHrate any Power to forbid
the Ufe of fuch Rites and Ceremonies as are already
receiv'd, approved, and prad^is'd by any Church. No-
tViing may be prohibited in the Worlhip of God, but
what is unlawful in the ordinary Courfe of Life, and
in any private Houfe. No Power can be given to the
Magiftrate for the fupprcfling an Idolatrous Church,
which may not in Time and Place be made ufe of to
the Ruin of an Orthodox one. Nor are any Civil
Rights to be cither chang'dor violated upon Account of
Religion, in one Place more than another. Idolatry
was indeed to be punifli'd with Death among the Jews,
who were under a Theocracy : But it was, becaufe
they that were guilty of it were Traitors and Rebels,
and guilty of High Treafon. They that were
Strangers to ibe Common-wealth of ifrael^ were noc
compelled by Force to obferve the Rites of the Mo-
faical Law. As to fpeculative Opinions in Religion,
and Articles of Fnith^ they Ihould not be imposed on any

Church

Chap. XVITL after the Revolution m 1 62%. 501

Church by the Law of the Land. For it is abfurd, -^«- J^po*
that Things Ihould be enjoin d by Laws which are not
in Men s Power to perfornn. The Magiftrate ftiouJd
not forbid the Preaching or Profefling of any fpeculative
Opinions in any Church, becaufe they have no man-
ner of Relation to the Civil Rights of the Snbje(5l. If
Truth makes not her Way into the Underfimding by
her.own Light, (he will be but the weaker for any bor-
rowed Force Violence can add to her. Moral yh^tn'ys
belong to the Jurifdidion both of iht- ?vf if^iftraie and
of Confcience. Every Man is bound lierc "to l-e c.^e-
ful to his utmoft. He may and ought t:- nft f'xhorca-
tions and Argun:ients to promote the Salvation of others,
but no Force is to be ufed. In Order to ihc fccuri.ig
their Temporal Interefts, Men enter into Civil S >cic-
ties, where they intruft the Magiftrate to make p: ./vj-
fion ; and he is to rake care of the Good and Profpe-
ricy of the Society that intruft him : But as to the
Matters of Salvation, every one is ftill to do wh^: ] c
is in his Confcience perfwaded is acceptable tc :h'^
Almighty. And no Law can oblige Men agsinft il eir
Confciences, nor can the Magiftrate change Propriety
amongft Fellow-Sub jeds, for a Caufe that has no Re-
lation to the End of Civil Government. And yet
no Opinions contrary to Humane Society, or to thofe
Moral Rules which are neceifary to the Preferva-
tion of Civil Society, are to be tolerated by the Ma-
giftrate. Nor can that Church have anv Right to be
tolerated by the Magiftrate, which is conftitured upon
fuch a Bottom, that all thofe who enter into it, do
thereby ipfo fr.Ho deliver themfelves up to the Prote-
£iion and Service of another Prince. Nor yet are
thofe at all to be rolerared, who deny the being of a
God, upon whom no Promifes^ Covenants, or v>aths
can have any hold. Did but all teach that Liberty
of Confcience is every Man's natural Right, equally
belonging to all Diifenters from them as to themfelves,
and that no Body ought to be compelled in Matters of
Religion, either by Law or Force • it would take away
all Ground of Complaint and Tumults, upon Account
of Confcience. If that Church which agrees in Reli-
gion with the Prince, be efteem'd the chief Support
of any Civil Government, and that for no other Rea-
foQ than becaufe the Prince is kind and the Laws

K k 5 - are

502 Sofjte Hijiorical Additions Chap. XVII I.

.4». 1690 are favourable to ir, bow much greater will be the
Security of a Government, where all good Subje(£ts of
wha' locver Church they be without any Diftinftion up-
on Acco'int of Religion, enjoying the fame Favour of
the Prince, and the fame Benefit of the Laws, fhall
tecortie the common Support and Guard cf it ; and
where none (hall have any Ocrafion to fear the Severity
of the Laws, but thofe that do Injuries to their Neigh-
bours, and offend againft the Civil Peace. None
ought to be excluded from the Civil Rights of the
Common-wealth hecaufe of his Religion. It is not
the Divcrfity of Opinions ( which cannot be avoided)
but the Refufal of Toleration to thofe that are of dif-
ferent Opinions, that has produced all the Buftles and
Wars thiit have been in the Chriftian World, upon
'Account of Religion.

The Argument of this Letter being refledked on,
the Au^ihor of it undertook the Defence of it in a Se-
cond Letter on the fame Subjed^. The Objector bad
own'd rhat Force was improperio convert Men to any
Religion , and was therefore told that the Toleration
mov'd for. was but the removing that Force. 'Twas
fuggefttd, That i'UC ^^ligicn would not be likely to gain by
fi'.ch A Tolc'^.tion. 'Twas anfwer'd, That we have an
Experiment in the Chriftian Religion in its firft Ap-
pear j nee in the World, and feveral Hundreds of Years
after when it gain'd exceedingly, tho* Jews and Pagans
•were more than tolerated by -the Governments of the
Places, where it grew up : And it's as able to fliift for
it felf now wirhont the Help of Force; and this is
therefore urg'd in Proof of the Truth of it. The In-
ventions of Men in Religion need the Force and Helps
9f Men ro uphold them. A Religion that is of God,
wants not the Aifitt^ace of Humane Anthority to
make ir prevail. The TcThc^tion pleaded for would be
ownM to be a Service ro Religion in Popi/I:, Mahume-
tan. Or P.-.gan Countries : and there muA be fomething
very peculiar in t'le Air, that muft make it lefs ufeful
to T'uth in F^i^'rvd.

Th<* Aurhoi of the Letter aflcrting that Force bad no
f^oper EfficMcy to enlighten the Underftanding or pro-
duce Belief, the Animadverter pleaded that it might
indi) cci'.; and at a Diftmice do fome Service : But it was

aal^vver'd, That what is unlawful in it felf, (as it cer-
tainly

Ghap. XVIII. after the Revolution in i6S8, 505

tainly is to punifti a Man without a Fault) can never be Ah. 1690,
made lawful by fome Good, that indire^ly, and at a
Diftance, or by Accident may follow from ic. If it
would, then the Cruelties ufed by Heathens againft
Chritlians, and Papifts againft Proteftants are jultifia-
ble. But *tis moderate Punsfloments only are pleaded
for. *Tis anfwer'd, That any Sort of Punifhments
where there is no Fault, will be tho't unjuftifiable Se-
verity by Sufferers and By-Standers, and fo produce
EfFeds contrary to what was defign'd ; and be more
likely to drive Men from the Religion that ufes theiij,
than bring them to the Truth. Where Force is ufed,
tis Compliance is aim'd at, not Conviction . But 'tis
mov'd, That Force may be ufed to bring Men to conjider
^eafons and Arguments^ by which they may be brought to
embrace the Truth, which either thro'* Negligence they would
never acquaint them/elves with, or thro* Prejudice they
would rej eel and condemn unheard, 'Tis anfwer'd, fl.) It
is imp»(2:icable to punifli Diflfenters, as Diffenters, on-
ly to make them confider. For if you punifh them as
Diffenters, you punilh them whether they confider or
no. (i.) To punifh Men out of the Communion of
the National Church to make them confider, is unjuft.
For it may be, being fatisfied of the Truth of their
own Opinions they don't j^dge it worth while to
confider : Or they may not be able to examine and
confider all the Proofs and Grounds, upon which the
National Church ?ftablilhes their Settlement : Or they
may have exar^iin d, and ^et can find no Reafons and
Arguments proper and fufficienc to convince them.
And (5.) Whatever indirect Efficacy there may be in
Force, applied by the Magiflrate in the Way propofed,.
it makes againft the Propofer. As ic may be fer-
viceable to make Men embrace the Truth which.
mult fave them, fo may it be ferviceable to bring
Men to receive and embrace Falfliood, which will
deftroy them. Nay Force is more likely to make Men
receive and embrace Error than Truth, ; both be-
caufe Men out of the right Way are as apt, or apter to
«fe Force, than others: And alfo, becaufe few of the
Magiftratea of the World being in the right W^y,
( fcarce one in ten, ) the ufing Force would do at Isafl
Ten Times as much Hart as Good. The utmoft then,
the. plea amounts to, isj^ That it is not impoffibie bus

504 Some Hifiorical Additions Chap. XV II I.

Ah. i6pc. Force may be ufcful ; But there are many Things ot
which that may be faid, that are not fie ro be us'd.
And if ic may be uieful, it may alfo be ufeiefs. Men
mayn't be brought to a right Confideration by ic, or
they may have coiilidcrM already ; and God has not
directed ic, and therefore there is no reafon to ex-
pe(^ he fliould make ic fuccelsful. Nay, Force is likely
to L'C more hurtful than ufeful. For to punifh Men for
thac which it cannot be known whether they have per-
form'd or no, is fo unjiilt, that its likelier to give Men
an avcrfion to the Religion that ufes it, than to bring
then I to it. And withal, many are unable to difcern
becwixt Truth and Falfliood thac depend upon long
Proofs and remote Confequences, G^c. But farther,
til oigh Force were ufeful, yet ic does noc follow 'tis
h-'wi'i 1, Still Commillion or Authority may be wanting.
God has nor dirtdred to it, and therefore 'tis not War-
lantablf. Where the Scripture is filent, 'tis Prefumpti-
on in us ro diredt. God would not have Men compell'd
fo hear. He did not think Force a proper Means to bring
M'-u into the right Way : And therefore it is not proper.
Bur v^ho are they that upon this Hypotheiis are to be
pnnifli'd ? 'Tis Juch as nre in a xvrong I4^<iy ^ and deaf to
n!i P^ijwafions. And who are they.^ The ri^ht Way in
FvgUfid is wrong in France. Every one here muit be
Jiidge for himfelf. How fhall it be known who are
deaf to all Perfwafions? If you mean deaf to your
Peffwafion, vou but begtheQiieftion, and fuppofe you
ha^ e a Righc to punilh Inch as differ from you. Where
can we tind thofe that will own chemfelves in the wrong
Way ? May the Magiftrate punilli all that differ from
hi'n in Religion.^ I'his is what the Matter feems to
ifiue in. For what are they to be punilh'd for, but for
nor rvfidtrihg} But why then muft all Dilfenters be
pumlli'd ? Have none of them confider'd? Have all
conlidcr'd thar Conform .' This is not like a fair Phyfi-
qiiii to apply a Remedy to a Difeafe, but like an inraged
Kneniy to vent (iic's Spleen upon a Party. Tis to pu-
niHi the Innocent with the Guilty, and \tt the Guilty
efcape with the Innocent. If Dilfenters are to be pa-
nilVd for n(<r confidcring, then all fhould be punifh'd
that .0 not confidtr. This will take in many of the
Nanona! Religion in all Countries. But ic cannot
i-' \v M*ti\^ Negligence to Confider be juflly inferr'd chat
tfhercfore Dijjcnters are to be punilh'd. And

Chap. XVlll. after the Revolution in 1688. 505

And to what End muft they be punifh'd? Is it to An. 1690.
make them Examine whether their Religion be true,
and fo worth the holding under the Penalties anr.ex'd ?
What then will become of thofe that have no fuch Pe-
nalties to make them confider ? Either they aifo lliould
be punifli'd, or others let alone. Or muft Men be pu-
nilh'd that they may be willing to fubmit to Inft ructi-
on ?. The Dilfenters fay they are willing. Who ir.uft
Judge ? Muft they be punifh'd to (hut Paflion out of the
Choice ? But how if it ihould happen they fhould be
fway'd by the Paflion of fear of SuiFering? Will
Vou punilh Men to bring them to Reafon and found
Judgment? You may as well do it to bring them
to have the Philofophers Stone. The moft plaufible
Plea is^ Men are punifh'd to bring them to the Kjtovpledge
of the Truth. Bat every one has not a fufficient Ability
for it; Every one has not Opportunity for at. You
may this Way punilh them to make them do, what
they have done already. Its beyond the Power or
Judgment of Man in that variety of Circumftances,
in refpeCk of Parts, Tempers, Opportunities, Helps, c^c.
Men are in in this World, to determine what is every
one^ Duty in fearch, inquiry, and examination, or to
know when any one has done it.

Further, what Degree of Punifhment is to be us'd
4n this Force? They are moderate Penalties that muft be
us'd. But what are they ? Such oi voill prevail with Men
of common Difcreti on. But who they are, is as hard to
know, as what is a fit Degree of Punifhment in the
Cafe. So that this is but a regulating one uncertainty
by another. Befides ; all Men of the fame Degree of
Difcretion are not apt to be mov'd by the fame Degree
of Penalties. And what is to be the length of the
duration of thefe moderate Punifhment s} Dilfenters arc
punilh'd to make them conlider. Well they have con-
lider'd, and yet are Diffenters ftill. Muft they not be
punifh'd on? If they are to be punilh'd to make them
confider, whether they have confider'd or no, then
their Puniftiments iho' they do confider, muft not ceafe
as long as they are Dilfenters. So that upon the whole,
the Punifhment muft be very immoderate or none at
all. And if the Magiftrate has Power to ufe Force, it
nhuft be to compel Men to be of his Religion^ and if
ibis is true in one Country 'tis true in another. The

Scheme

5o6 Some Hrfiorrcal Additions . Chap. XVII [.

An. 1690 Scheme of the Letter for Toleration fuits all GountrieS
alike, and therefore is the more likely to hold. We
may juftly fufpetfl that neither to ^cotnport with
the Truth of Religion or the Defign of the Gofpel,
which is fuited to only fome one Country or Party.
What is true and good in Englanrl, will be true and
good at li^me too, in Chin^ or ii Geneva; but the Me-
thod for Propagating Truth and Religion by moderate
Punifhments, is calculated for thofe Countries only,
where the Magiftrate is fuppos'd to be in the Right, and
is therefore the lefs able to bear fcanning.

An 1691 . The Nonjurant Bifhops and Clergy perfifting in their
The Tien- refiifal to cake the Oaths to the Government, their va-

jurant Bi- ^.^^^ Dignities were this Year fill'd up : And Dr. TiBoe-

fhop and y^„ ^^^ promoted to the Archbiflioprick of Canterbury^

^^'q J chejirr was tianflated to E/r, in the room of Dr. Turner:
Dr. Fowler to the See of Glouccftcr^ in the room of Dr.
Fr/trrjpton z Dr. Cumherland to the See of Peterborough^
in. the room of Dr. H^hite : And, Dr. Moor to the See of
Norwich^ in rhe room of Dr. Lloyd: And Dr. Kjdder up-
on the rcfufal of Dr. B— to Bath and H^elb^ in the
room of Dr. KJnnet, Dr. Comber alfo was made Dean
of Durham, in the room of Dr. Greenvil r And Mr.T<i/-
bot Dean of ^orcefler, in the room of Dr. Hicks. And
now they had a tafte of that Ejc6lion and Silencing, ia
their Turn, which formerly had fo little drawn forth
their CoanpafTion, in the Cafe of fo great a Number of
their Brethren. Upon this they miferably fell to Pieces
among themfelves, and the Two Parties in the Church
were very fevere in their Reflexions upon each other.
Hereupon was publifli'd a Pamphlet, Intituled, A Vin^
dicnf-ion of their Mnjefiies Authority to fill the Sees of the
deprivd Bifhops, in n Letter cccafiond by Dr. B'j refvfal
of the Bifhoprick, (/ Bath and Wells. And another call'd,
A Vindication of their Majcffies iVifdom in the late 'Nomi"
nation of fornc Reverend Perfons to the vacant Archbifhoprick.
Ani Bifhoprickjy occajiond by the fcandalom B^fleHions of
Vnreafonahle Men. Had indeed thofe of the Clergy
who took the Oaths to the Government, now generally
refas'd the vacant Church Preferments, it had drawn
fatal Confequences after it. Better Men couM not be
found than they that were pitchM upon : And yet really
tjijey in efle(f\ vyere fct up as Marks^ again(t which the.

Malice

Chap. XVIII, after the Revolution in 1688. 507

Malice and Fury of xhQ Jacobites iif^ Nonjuring Clergy ^»- i^9>.
and Laity was principally diredted. One goes fo far
as to Queftion * whether ever any handful of Men me- j, ^^^
rited more of the Church of England^ by any fingle A6[, ji^^j-^^^ ^
fince the Reformation, than the excellent Perfons who the Prefem
accepted of thefe Bifhopricks. The great Perfonal Merit Fofiurs of
of the deprived Bijhops, the late eminent Service which fe- Affairs^
veral of them had done to their Country in Kjng James the rvlth ReU'
Second < I{pig^, the Caufe itfelf for which they fuff'erd;f'o» to the
(which Jeem*d to very many to be the Caufe of the Church ^''''eaty of
of England itfelf) and the Commiferation of the People ^^^^^i
toward good Men^ who left fuch great and honourable, and -^^'^^^^ h
advantageous Pofls, purely for their Confciences ; made it .J}^*'
r?ot a very dejirable Thing (as he obferves) to Men of Cha- ^^
raBer and Merit, to venture to fill their Places. The Ja-
cobite IntereH wai then truly Formidable y and the I{evolu^
tion was Green, and had taken hut little ^oot. Tet then did
thoje excellent Men venture to accept of thofe Employments,
in which they could not hut expeEi to meet with Oppoftion,
at leait with coldnefl from the Inferiour Clergy, af whom a
great Majority did almoft adore their deprived Bifhops,
Of the complying Clergy ffays he) its to be feard great
Numbers took ^^^ Oaths againji their Wills : Aqd he adds,
iVe who conversd among them freely at that Time^ perceivd
a great deal of it ; we lamented it, and tho" we could not
exnHly teU what Mfchiefs, the ill Blood then caused might
afterwards produce ^ yet that it would produce a great deal
we foretold, and our Prophecy but too truly came to paf.
However, it was to their Immortal Honour^ that they ven^
turd in that tickjifh Coni unsure to accept of thofe Employ'
ments, {they could not at that time well be called Prefer^
nients) under thofe difcouraging Circumflances.

At this Time was publilhM the Vnreafonablenejl of a Contefi of
Separation from' the New Bifhops: Or a Treatife out oithe Church
Ecclefiaftical Hiftory, fhewing that although a Bilhop r^ith 7Vb«-
was unjuftly depriv*d, neither He nor the Church ever;«ron.
made a Separation ; if the Succeffor was not a Heietick ;
Tranflated out of an Ancient Gree\ Manufcript in the
Publick Library at Oxford, by Dr. Hody. This Baroccian
Manufcript was Compps'd upon occafion of the depri-
vation of a Patriarch oiConjiantinople, and the advance-
ment of another to i)is See. Some Friends and de-
pendants of the deprived, began to make a Party, and
%\i up the People 10 a Schifm; Giving out that the

former

^ o3 Some iVi^orical Additions Chap. XVIII-

Jin. id^i.fortrer was fiill their Canonical Bifhop, that it was
firiful to have Communion with :hc New one, and that
all his Ordinations would be invalid. Hereupon the
Author of this Manufcripc is fupposM to have made this
Difcourfe to the People of Cot)ji.intifiopic, and included
in it all the memorable and parallel Examp^^s that had
happened to that See within the fpace of near a Thou-
faud Years. He allows thefe Advocates for a Separa-
tion all thac they would have. He admits that the de-
pofcd BiHiop was cnjuftly deprived, and the New one
Uncaronically promoted: And yet aiferts that even in
ihefc Circumrtances, if he was not a Heretick, neither
the People nor the Ejcdled Patriarch bimfelf ever re-
fused Communion with him ; the fufficience of his Or-
dinations was never queftion*d by any Council ; there
was no Precedent for Schifm upon thofe Accounts in
all the Hiftory of the Church. And, from hence Dr.
^ Hoay draws an Argument a fortiori^ thus: That if in

the Cafes of unjuft Deprivation and Uncanonical Suc-
ceiiTon, a Separation is without Example in EccJefiafti-
cai Story, it was much more inexcufable to make a
Schifm, v/here neither of thofe hard Circumftances
could be found.

The Debate among them at this time ftocd on this
Foot. One fide faid the State could nor deprive Bifhops
of their Epifcopal Character, but that they remain'd
Bifhop<; ilill ; and their Ordinations, and Confirmations,
and other Epifcopal A6ts were Valid, except fuch Adts
of Jurifdidlion as refpedled the particular Diocefe out
o^'^ which they were Eje£led ; as Vificing and Cenfuring
the Clergy, conferring Benefices, &c. Others faid the
Princes had Power intirely to dcpofe Bifhops, andurg'd
Solomons depofing the High Prieft Abi.tthar ; and pro-
dac'd many Precedents in the Chriftian Church for Con-
firmation. And their Oppofites in the mean timeurg'd
Inftancesof Perfons who adher'd to their Bifhops, when
they were unjuHly and invalidly depriv'd, though their
Succeffors were Orthodox in the Faith.

The Diffcritcrs in the mean time met Amicably toge-
ther, and adled in Concert, a few Particular Perfons
only excepted. They Unanimoufly fupported the Go-
vernmenr, and had the Favour of fach as were Friends
of it. They made their Obfcrvations on the Conten-
tions in the Church, and hop'd a time might come,

when

Chap. XVIII. after the RevolHtionin i6S3, 509

when they that were fo firm in the Intereft of the Go- An. 1691.
vernment might be more conlider'd : And they might
have depended upon it, had they but coritinu'd their
harmony and brotherly Corrcfpondence. The Foun-
dation of the Societies for Fi^cfc mation of Mariners was
laid this Year, and the Diflemers from the firft were as
forward to encourage it, and as ready to affift in it as
any. The Jacobites held on plotting againft the Go-
veriiment, and endeavour'd to obtain Aififtance from
Frr,ncc, fcr the Keinrhromng the lare King. The King
was to have been this Year AffaiTinated in FUruiers ;
and a Parry in England feem'd not ro have been igno-
rant of it. And divers Tra6ls were pubUih'd as betore,
in Vindication of the Revolution, and King f^iUiam's
Government.

The Conteft in the Chcrch cf Er.giand occafiond by The Car-
the Deprivation of the Bilhops ftill continu' d. A Vin- rlage of the
dication of the deprivd Bifhops was now pviblilh'd 5 Jacohltes.
Alferting their Spiritual Rights againft a Lay Depriva-
tion : Againft the Charge of Scbifm as manag'd by the
late Editors of an Anonymous B^rccci^/i M.S. Herein
it is pleaded, that tho* the Inftances coUefted in the faid
M. S. had been pertinent to the Editor's Defign, yet that
would not have been fufficiemfor obtaining their Caufe:
And that the Inftances there colledted are not pertinent
to the Editors Defign, for vindicating rhe validity of the
Deprivation of Spiritual Pcwer^ by a Lay Authority.
And it is here Aflerted, that if the Enemies of the de-
priv'd Bifhops would do any Thing to purpofe by the In- m seeBp» of
ftances they produce, they ought to prove, that even in SarumsHe-
Cafe of a purely Lay Deprivation, thofe Eaftefn Churches fleChions on
did not think fit to Affert their Spiritual Liberties, againft a Pamphlet
the Encroachments of the fecularMagif^rate, &c, Entituledj

But they were not content with Arguing. Tfaeeje<5ted ISome D^f-
Epifcopal Clergy, with the iofs of their Places feem'd <^o«r/« «/»o»
alfo to lofe their Tempers. And it was 'obferv'd (by ^^- ^""^f^
one very able to make Remarks) That of all the forts o/j'»«pi'-TiI-
Men * who have within the Memory of the prefent Age ^^Jl° w ^^'
been on the fujfering Side , never any fuffer*d fo little, ^y/ ^^^^ ^
and ragd fo much di the Jacobites, They lofl ^^^^^ „eral Ser-
preferments, and fome of them were doubly tax*d; but ^^^^/r^jj^
they were not hunted from Place to Place, nor vex'^d with fo^fner upon
Impfifonments and Prcfecutions (as the poor Nonconfor- the latter.^
mifts had formerly been.) They liv'd at cj^uiet even when 169$,

they

510 Some Hi jiorical Additions Chap. XVI If.

An. 1(592. they did nil they could to let none have quiet about therm
And feme of them were fo far grntified, thdt they nam''d
their Succeffors into their Benefices^ of which it was believd
they aftcrvptirds receivd the grcntsjl Part,

Bifhop Bwnct \n Particular had but Five Nonjurors
in his Diocefc of Snrum. One of ihem, Mr. Martin,
was concina'd in his Living to his Death which happened
about 1694, and the Billiop flill paid him the actual
Income of bis Prebend out of bis own Purfe. Ke
would not take the Oaths, but he did not joyn with the
Koyi'yirors in their Schifm. Mr. Spinks enjoy 'd a Dona-
tive, which the Bifhop fuffer'd him to ferve by a Curate^
which he could have required him to ferve in Perfon; and
he en joy'd his Prebend a Year beyond the Time fix*d by
Law . Mr. Jones had the nominating of bis own Suc-
ceffor, to whom his Living was Collated. Mr. Dickfon
died foon after the Deprivation. Dr. Beach alfo kept
in his Living Two Years after he was by Law depriv'd,
and was afterwards Indided for Seditious Words, and
found Guilty, but Pardon'd. And their Treatment
was much the fame in other Diocefes. I'm fure the poor
Nonconformifts, who were Ejeded in 62, (though none
were truer to the Government than they) would have
been heartily glad of fuch Ufage, as the Jncobites now
met with, though they were continually Plotting againft
the Government ; The overthrow of which they had
this Year compafs'd, had not Providence eminently ap-
pear'd in our Favour, and given us a fignal Vidtory over
the French Fleet, great Part of which were deftroy'd and
burnt by Admiral ^uffel: Which gave King Jatncs fo
heavy a blow, that he never recover'd the Impreflion of
it, but loft all Hopes of ever being Reftor'd.

There now came out a Tradl call'd S I'ymon and Abm-
thar. Or the Cafe of the depriv'd Biihops and Clergy
difcufs'd, in a Dialogue between Eucheres sl Conformiit,
and Dyfchcrcs a Recufant : By Mr. Hill. In which the
State of Things under King fVilliam, is reprelented as
worfe than n Deluge of Popery, and the whole Involution di
a great Impiety: And Submiffion tO the Deprivation of
the Bifhops a giving up all to Eraflianifm. For it is de-
clar'd that if that would hold, a Bifhop would be but
an Ecclefiaftical Juftice, and a Pricft but a Church
Conftable. Abiathnr\ Priefthood it is here faid, deter-
min'd by his own voluntary Ceflion, not the Kings Ec;

cleliafticai

Chap. XVI II. after the Revolution m 1688. 511

clefiafti<cal Cenfure. And when he quitted the High -4». 1691.
Prieftkood, he did it for himfelf and his Pofterity,
who had no Claim thereto Originally Legal ; whence
it reverted 6f Courfe to the Houfe of Elca::^ar, and
therein 10 ^adok^, without any Title from the King, &c.

The Jacobites had ftill hopes of their old Maflers Re-
ftoration, who intended a Defcent from France, But
the French Fleet was beaten, and many of their Ships
burnt at La Hogue^ and fo their Hopes were defeated.

A Noble Peer ^ at this Time making a Speech upon * The Earl
a Publick Occafion, thought fit to refledt upon the fo- of vVai-
menting Divifions among Proteflants^ as a Dsceit rle/igti'd to ringron'i
gull the Nation into Popery and Slavery, He fays, That Speech to
th« muft be to ferve fome new Defign, hecaufc the Laws ^he Grand
againft DiJ] enters were Slretch\d and Executed^ beyond thtir J^D ^^
Genuine and Natural Intent cr ConflruHion : Becaufe feve- 7' . j *
ral Laws were put in Execution againft them^ which were ^ ^^*
plainly and direclly made for other Purpcfes, by which the ° '
Law itfelfjufferd Violence ; And hccauje more Diligence and
Care was employ d, topunifto People for Nonconformity ^tkan to
reform their Lives and Manners. He reprefents the hSt
of Indulgence as a Prudent^ Necefjfary, and Pious PVork ;
and recommended it to the Jury, as their Duty, if they
found any Jpakc to the alfadvantage of the AEt, to Prefent
them oi difajfetted to the Govertiment^ and fowers of the
Seeds of Divijjon in the State.

Mr. Johnfon now publilh'd an Argument, proving
that the Abrogation of King James by the People of
England from the Regal Throne, and the Promotion of
the Prince of Orange, one of the Royal Family, to the
Throne of the Kingdom in his ftead, was according to
the Gonftitution of the EngUfh Government, and pre-
fcrib'd by it: In oppofition to all the falfe and trea-
cherous Hypothefes, of Vfurpation^ Conquefi^ Defertson^
and of talking the Powers that are upon Content, Now
alfo came out a true Account of the Author of a Book,
Entituled, ^Eim? B*.<n\imj Or the Portraiture of his Sacred
Majefty, in his Solitude and Sufferings ; prov*d to be
Written by Dr. G4«^e» late Bilhopjof pPorcefier: With
an Anfwer to all Objedtions made by Dr. HoUingfworth
and others. Publiih'd for Publick Satisfaction, by An-
thony iValkpr, D. D. with an Atteftation under the
Hand of the late Earl of Anglefey, to the fame Purpofc-
At which fome wete very angry , and others well
pleas'd. The

512 Some Hiflorical Addition f Chap. X VIII-

An. 1092.

The Decla-
r at ion of
the United
it Unifiers

Ih

The DifTenters had this Year a troublefome Affair

.vith one Mr. [{icbard Dnvu, of Hothrvel in Northamptor?-

And at length the Unired Minifters publifli'd to

he \V^(>rM their Senfe concerning fome of his erroneous

C)o<frnnes and irregular Pradhces, in thefe Words.

' We the United Nonconfornning Minifters in and

abruc Lmdon, having been oft confultcd by ourgrieved

Brethren in the Country, about fome Expedient to

reclaim Mr. F^ichard Davis of {{othwsl^ in the County

of Northampton ; or at leaft to prevent the Scandal

and mifchievous Effedts of his erroneous Principles

and irregular Pradtices ; have thought it incumbent

on us to publilh the following Account and Teftimony,

that we may not be wanting in our Faithfulnefs and

Zeal for the Truth of Chrift, and for that Peace and

'Order among his People, which is fo ftridtly enjoynd

by him ; nor be efteem'd approvers of thofe Delufions

and Extravagancies, whereby Souls are endangered,

Divifions highly fomented, and our prefent Liberty

abufed, to the hurt and reproach of ail of us as Dif-

fenters.

* It will we doubt not appear to impartial Men (fince
divers Methods that we have us*d for the reclaiming
of him, have prov'd unfnccefsful) to be our prefent
Duty to Vindicate our Selves, and warn fuch in
whom we are refpe(ftively concerned, againft his De-
lufions, under the Name of the Bleffed Gofpel ; and
his dividing Courfes, whilft he pretends to Reform
the Church. We (hall not here enumerate all the Er-
rors he ftudioully Propagateth; but do hereby bear
our Teftimony againft thefe following, vii^.
' That the Law of Innocency was not able to fave
Man at firft. That Juftification upon Believing, is
only a manifeftation to the Confcience 6f an Antece-
dent Juftificacion ; and fo it is not the State of the
Soul, but its fcnfe of its State, that is alrer'd upon
Converfion. That Juftifying Faith is a Perfwafion
that our Sins are pardon'd ; and when it is faid, we
believe for Pardon, it is meant for the Knowledge of
Pardon. That this Faith is not a confcnting Adt of
the Will. That the Lav7 prepares nor for Converfi-
on, and its Convidlions tend to drive Men fatrther
from Chrift-. That the Law of the Gofpel is the
-great Law of E led ing Grace, i'/^. I \9ill have Merdy

' on

Chap. XVIII. after the Revolution in 16^^, 515

on whom I will have Mercy, That there be no prepara- An. I592«
tory Humblings in order to Faith. That we fhould
begin our Religion with high Confidence of our In-
tereft in Chrift, and muft maintain it againft all
Challenges or Doubts from our Sins or Defe6ls.
That they are like BaaCs Priefts who put Men on
trying thcmfelves by fuch Marks, as Sincerity, Uni-
verfal Obedience, Love to God, and Chrift, and the
Brethren. That all Believers at all Times ftand be-
fore God without Sin ; yea, when they are finning
againft God, they are without fpot before God ; and
when they have finned, and pray for Pardon, it is for
the difcovery thereof to their Confcience, and noc
for what is properly Forgivenefs. That Chrift ful-
filled the Covenant of Grace for us, and he believ'd
for us as our Reprefentative. "Which with many
others are well Attefted, yea, and own'd in his own
Papers, for the moft part in exprefs Words, and the
reft plainly appear to be his Senfe. ,

* Thefe Affertions we declare repugnant to the Gof-
pel, (as alfo to the Doctrine of theChurch oi England^
and other Confefjlons agreeable to the Gofpel, where-
to wc have Aflented) ftrong Temptations to carnal
Security and Libertinifm, and feme of Satans fiery
Darts, whereby he endeavoureth the ruin of thofe
Souls who are lefs fubjedt to other Snares; and as
what would deftrcy the Miniftry which Chrift hath
appointed and profpered to the Converfion of Sinners.

* In the like manner we do Teftify againft the Un-
chriftian Prat^ices of Mr. Davis ; vi^. That though °
he fcrupled not to Baptize the Children of his own
People, he yet Rebaptized fuch Adult Members as

were Baptiz'd in their Infancy by any Minifters of
the Church of England ; in Anfwer whereto he thus
Writes : That if any, being the feed of Strangers^ and
having no other Baptijm than that of the Publicity defire
to fubmit to the Ordinance ^ I dare not refufe it ; for i
look on that done in the [^ublicl{j Null and Void on a twc^
fold Account, (i.) They and their unbelieving Parents,
being in no fenfe or wife under the Covenant^ Baptifm
cannot be a Seal ; and while it is not a Seal^ 1 apprehend
it nothing^ and therefore Null and Void, (2.) The Ad-
minijirators are none of Chrijis fending.^ therefore what
they do in Matters of Religion is nothing; an Idol is

LI [nothings

514 ^onte Hiflorkal Addition. Chap, X VIII,

An. 1592.

nothing ; and hy parity of F(eafon Ordinances falfly Ad-
minlftrcdj are nothings 8cc. And though it (\iz. Bap-
tifm) b& done by them in the 'Name of Father ^ Son^
and Spirit, yet hill they Prophecy Lies in the Name of
the Lord, for he never fent tlcm. Our Reafons againft
this horrid Opinion were fent to him, but without any
iniiuence for his Conviction. His fending forth
Preachers unfit for the Miniftry, and unapprov'd by
the Neighbo'.irirg Minifters; his unchurching fuch
Churches as agree not with bis exorbitm: Methods,
and licentious Principles; his wickedly railing at moft
of the Orthodox, Laborious Minifters, endeavour-
ing to the urmoft to prejudice the People againft their
Perfais and Labours,- as Idolatrous, Illegal, and Anti-
cbriftian; Yea, affiriTjing, that all the Churches are
gone a Whoring from Chrift, and that happy is be
who is an Inftrument in breaking all the Churches,
wherein he hath made too great a Progrefs.

* Ha'.ing thus exprefs'd our Thoughts concerning
his Pftnciples and Pradtices (whereto many more
might, and in due time may be added, with juft Re-
flexions thereon) we do here further Declare, that
he never was, n^r is by us efteem'd, of the Number
of the United Brethren.

* It is our Grief, that a Man ftiould with meerFalfe-
hood, Clamour, and Noife, prevail fo far: It is no
lefs our wonder, that he ftiould generally fot up for
the only Gofpel Preacher, reviling moft others, and
yet when charg'd with his Aflcrtions, he at Times at-
tempts to unintelligent Perfon% to reduce thofe abo-
minable Aflcrtions, to what is the general Opinion
of fuch as he expofeth. But we fhall earneftly pray
for his Repentance j and (in the mean time) that that
Scripture may be verified in him, i TirK. 3. p. He [hall
proceed no further, but his Folly fl'yall be manifeftcd to aU
Men : Which we are encouraged to hope the fudden
Accomplifliment of, fince he is given up to fuch tri-
fling Vifions, Enthufiaftick Pretences, Self-contra-
didlions, higheft Arrogancy and Infolence, and many
arc awaken'd to fee the wiles of the Devil by their
vifible EfTedls; and moft Perfon^ fit to judge hereof.
Agree, it cannot be the Intereft of Chrift that he
fer' es, by the Spirit he difcovers, and the Publick
Scandals and Mifchiefs he fo induftrioufly promotes.

Had

Chap. XVIIL after the Revohtion in r688. 515:

Had the United Minifters refted here it had been ^>;. i^pa,
well. But Animolicy and Contention about Dodrinal
Matters unhappily broke out amojigft them, and fuch
Heats arofe, as expos'd them juftly to the Cenfures of
Standersby; and they a6ted as if they had been under
the fccret Influence of fome that were fearful leaft their
Intereft fhoold gain, by their continuing United, while
the Eftabiilh'd Church was fo much divided, A new
Impreflion of DY.Cn'Jp's Works was publilh'd irt 1690,
yvith an Addition of fome Sermons, Prefac'd by his
Son ; and fome Mmifters were upon his requeft pre-
vailed with to prefix their Names, Attefting that they
believ'd what was publifli'd was Genuine. The known
Charadker of the Dodtor, with the Nature of fome of
his darling Notions, made this Publication offenfive to
many; and the rather, becaufe of the Names prefixed,
which they fear'd would be interpreted by fome, as a
giving Countenance to fuch Opinions as were thought
of ill Confequence. A Book hereupon came forth this
Year, Intitled, Gojpel Truth Stnted and Vindicated^
wherein fome of Dr. Crijp's Errors ate confider'd.
And to this feveral Names were prefix'd by way
of Approbation. The Method of this Book is very
clear ,• and had they that were of different Sentiments,
as clearly laid down any oppofite Opinions in a Scheme,
with diftin<ft Reafons under each Head, why fuch No-
tions were embrac'd as Truths, and the others rejedled
as Errors, Matters might eafily have been brought to
an amicable Iffue, and every Man might have judg'd
for himfelf, which Scheme to embrace.

Before this there had been clafhing in the Pulpit in
Pinners-Hall Ledlure, and that with no little warmth.
And upon the publilliing of this Book there was a great
Clamour rais'd, and that particularly upon rhe Account
of the Interpretation given, of Phil, 3.9. Onewrcte
warmly againft what he call'd Neonomianifm, and ,

Differences rofeto a great height : And at length a Pa-
per of Objedlions fign'd by Six Miniiters Hands; was
given in at the Meeting of the United Brethren, and
it was obfervable that feveral of them Sthat Sign'd it,
never did concur in, nor approve of the ZJnion. Some
fee themfelves to contrive an healing Expedient, .and
after much Pains taken, fix'd on certain Doctrinal Ar-
ticles which were on both Sides agreed on, and fub-

L 1 % fctib'd

5i6 Some Htfiorical Additions Chap. XVIII.

Am. i^^a.fcrib'd December \6. 1691, and publifh*d to the World'
under the Title of, The Affreemcnt in Do^rine, among
the Diffenting Minifters in London, by which it was
hop'd future Differences would have been prevented.
But feparate weekly Meetings were kept up, and fome
feenfi'd deliroos to be thought to differ from their Bre-
thren, whether they really <did fo or no, or at leaft fan-
cit'd they did fo, more than they did: A Letter was
publifh'd in 4to, Intituled, A Vindication of the Prote-
itant DoHrine concerning Jujiification^ and of its Preachers
and Prof'ffnj from the ZJvju^ Charge of Antincmianifm*^
and the hopes of a free brotherly Correfpondence va-
niih'd away. The Difference was chiefly about fomc
Terms and Phrafes relating to the Dodkrine of Juftifi-
cation, and about the extent of Redemption, and the
middle Way : But they manag'd them with fucb Heat,
as to give thofe who have at all Times been forward
enough to refledl upon them, occafion to fay, let but
thefe Dlff enters alone ^ and thsy'l do their own TVor\,

A: this Time came out a Book of an Ecclefiaftical
Nature, Written by a^^young Gentleman, but drawn
up with fuch ffi idt care and exadlnefs, that a Man that
had fpent all his Days in convcrfing with the Fathers
and Primitive Writers of the Chriftian Church, would
have had no need to have been affiam'd of the Perfor-
mance. It was Entituled, An Enquiry into the Conflitu-
tion^ Difcipline^ ZJnity, and iVorfhip of the Primitive
Churchy that flourifh'd mthin the firji 3O0 Tears after
Chrift : FaithfuUy coIleSed out of the extant Pf^ritings of
thofc Ages. 8vo.
Of the Cen- He obfer\ es that by the Church, the Primitive Wri-
fiitution^ ters fomctimes underffood the Church Univerfal, of
Difciplitte, all thofc who throughout the Face of the whole Earth,
Unity, and profeffed Faith in Chrift, and alknowledgcd him to be
Worfljlp of the Saviour of Mankind : At other Times, a particular
the Primi- Church or Company of Believers, who at one Time,
tiye church, j^ Qj^g ^^^^ ^^g fame Place, did affociate themfelves to-
gether, and concur in the Participation of all the Ordi-
nances of Chrift, with their proper Paftors and Mini-
fters : And fometimes alfo, the Place where a particular
Church or Congregation met for the Celebration of
Divine Service. Once 'tis us'd by Cyprian for a Col-
lcc5lion of many Churches, but that is not common.
And often they meant by it, the inviGble Cburcb; that

is

Chap. XVIIL afferthe Revolnthn^in i68S. 517

i — — I

is fucb as by a found Repentance and a lively Faith, are An. 1692,
actually incerefted in the Lord Jefus Chrift. And it
is frequently ahb 'to be underftood of the Faith and
Doctrine of the Church. But moft ufually by the Word
Church, a particaJar Church is meant in their "Writings :
And fuch a Church was made up of Clergy and Laity,
The Clergy had their Peculiar A(Sts. When Perfons
were in any Places converted by the Preaching of the
Gofpel, Bilhops were appointed them. There was but
one in a Place that was Bilhop by way of Eminency.
And this Bifliop had Originally but one Church,
which was call'd his Parifti, and was no larger
than our Parifhes. And that the Bifliops Diocefe
did not exceed the bounds of a modern Parifh,
is evident from hence: fi.) In that all the People
of a Dtocefe did every Sunday meet all together
in one Place to Celebrate Divine Service. (2.) In that
the Bifliop had but one Altar or Communion Table in
his whole Diocefe, at which his whole Flock received
the Sacrament from him. (5.) In that the other Sacra-
ment of Baptifm was generally Adminiftred by the
Bilhops alone, within their refpecftive Diocefes. (4.)
The Churches Charity was depofited with the Bifliop.
(5.) All the People of a Diocefe were prefent at Chsrch
Cenfures. (6.) No Offenders were reftor'd again to
the Churches Peace, without the Knowledge andCon-
fent of the whole Diocefe. (7.) When the Bilhop of
a Church was dead, all the People of that Church met
together in one Place to choofe a new Bifliop. (8.) At
the Ordinations of the Clergy, the whole Body of the
People were prefent. (9.) Publick Letters from one
Church to another were read before the whole Diocefe.
And (10.) The whole Diocefe of the Bifhop did meec
all together to manage Church Affairs. Thefe Things
put together are a plain proof, that how large foever
the local Extent of the Primitive Churches was, their
Members made but one (ingle Congregation, which had
no more Chriftians in it than our Pariflies now have.
For farther Proof of which, our Author produces out
of thofe that are reckon d the Genuine Epiftles of Igna"
tins, fuch an AccouDt of the Eifhoipvicks of Smyrna^
Ephefuf^ Magnefja, Philadelphi4y and Trallium, as mani-
feftly evidences thetn to be but fo many (ingle Congre^

LI 3 gation%

5l8 Some Hiftorlcal Additions Chap. XVIIl.

Ait. idpz. gations. Nay, he ihews that the grcateft BilTiopricks
ia the Woild, even in the Third Century, were no
more than fo many lingle Congregations. He fhews it
as to Antioch, and R^tm^ and Carthage. (\i\ Alexandria
cnly they had leparate Congregations for their conve-
nience, j There weie Billiops then in Country Villages.
And all the ChriOians of a Diocefe, met together in
one Place, every Sunday to lervc God.

The Bifhops Work was to Preach, Prav, Baptize,
Adminifter the Lord's Supper, take Care tf ihe Poor,
Ordain Minitters, Govern his Fluck, Excommunicate
Offenders, and Abfolve Penitents. He was lo be al-
ways refident on his Cure. He was Chofen, and Pre-
fented by the Majority of the Parilh. And approv'd by
the Neighbouring Biihops, by whom alfo he was Ordain d
or Inftaird ; Three or more of them ufually concurring
in the; Solemnity. And he immediately gave notice
hereof to other Bifhops; efpecially fuch as were of
l^ote and Eminence.

Our Author defcribes a Presbyter as a Perfon in Holy
Orders, having therefore an inherent Right to perform
the whole Offivre of a Bifhop ; but being polTefs'd of
no Place or Pariih, not adlually difcharging it, with-
out the Permili'ion andConfent of the Bifliop of a Place
or Parifti. Presbyters, he fays, were the Bifhops Cu-
rates and Alfiftanis, inferiour to them in Degree, or in
tke adlual Uifcharge of their Eccleliaftical Commiflion.
Without the BilTiops leave, a Presbyter could not Bap-
tize, or Adminifter tlie lords Supper, or Preach, or
Abfolve Offenders, or ptrform any other Ecclefiaftical
Office. Notwithllanding which, Presbyters were of
the fame Specifick Order with Biihops, and had the
fame inherent Right to perform thofe Ecclefiaftical
Offices, as Biihops did. For they Preach'd, Baptized,
Adminiflred the Eucharift, rul'd in the Churches to
which they belonged, Preiided in Confiftorys, Excom-
municated, reftorM Penitents, Confirmed, and Or-
dain'd, and in General difcharg'd all thofe Offices which
Biihops did, with the PermiHion of the Biihops in
their fevcral Cures. Presbyters were alfo call'd by the
fame Titles and Appellations as the Biihops were: And
chey are exprefly faid to be of the fame Order with the
Biihops. There were many fuch Presbyters in one
CJiyrch, that there might be a Provifion for the People,

under

Cha p. X V 1 1 r. after the Revolution i// 1 6 8 8 . 519

under all Accidents and Circumftances. Thej^ were^». 1^92-
not NecefTary or EfTential to a Church; And yet their
Office was even in the Apoftolick Age, though by their
Names they were not diftinguilh'd from Biihops till
fome time after.

The Deacons were to take care of the Poor. The
Suhdeacons were to alTift and help the Deacons. The
Acotyths, Exorcifts^ and Letiors^ were Candidates for
the Miniftry, who Hy behaving themfelves well in thefe-
meaner Employs, were to give Proof of their Ability
and Integrity, that they might be prorrioced gradually.
Ordination is the Grant of a peculiar Commiliion and
Power, which remains indelible in the Perlon to whom
it is Committed, and can never be obliteraied cr razed
out, except the Perfon himfelf caufe it, by HereJie,
Apoftacy, or grofs and fcandalous Impiety. When
Perfons were Ordnind Presbyters, they prefented them-
felves to the Presbytery of the Parifli, and were by
them examin'd about their Age, their Condition in the
World, and freedom from fecular Employments, their
Converfation, and their Underflanding and Learning :
Then they were propounded 10 the People for their
Approbation, -and afterwards had the Hands of the
Presbytery laid on them: But were not OrdainM to a
particular Church, or for it, but they were Ordain d
Minifters of the Church Univerfal.

The Laity alfo had their peculiar Adls in the Primi-
tive Times. Baptifm qualified them for Church Mem-
berftiip, unlefs they had been guilty of grofs and fcan-
dalous Sins. Adult Converts to Cbriflianity were firft
Catechumens; and then after due Inftrudion they
were Baptized, and ownd Church Members. Such
Church, Members elec^led their Biihops, and if they
prov*d Hereticks or Apoftates, or gtofly Scandalous^
they deposed them. And all Things relating to the Go-
vernment and Policy of the Church, were performed
by the jo^ nt Confent and Adminiftration both of Clergy
and Laity.

Difcipline was much valued in the Primitive Times.
By it is meant the Power and Authority of the Church
exerted by her for her own Prefervation, in the cenfu-
ring of her oflFending Members. The Faults for which
offenders were Cenfur*d, were Schifm, Herefie, CovC"
SQufnefs, Gluttony, Fornication, Adultery,. &c. The

Li 4 I^^S^%

520 Some Hifiorical Additions Chap. XVIU.

'^- 1 592. Judges were the whole Church, both Qergy and
Laity. And the Presbyrery was a fort of Committee
to prepare Matters for the whole Court. Tbey pre-
fided. If polTible, the Otfenders appeared Perfonally,
and pleaded for them lei vcs. Judgment was pafs'd by
Suffrage; and the Sentence of the Court pronounc'd,
either by the Biftiop, or a Presbyter Commiflion*d by
him. Their Cenfurcs confifted in Excommunications
and Suffenfjcns^ which were much dreaded. When any
thus Cenfur'd defir'd to be abfolv'd, they firft lay grove-
ling and weeping at the Church Doors, and then were
admitted into the Rank of Penitents ; (their Peniten-
tiary Stations varying according to different Times
and Ci re urn fiances) afterwards they were examin'd ;
and if approv'd, they came into the Church with all
cxprefTions of Sorrow, corrfefs'd their Sin, and then
were AbfoJv'd with Impofition of Hands . But the Cler-
gy were generally reftor'd only to Lay Communion.

Chri/lian Churches were fo far independent as to
have fufficient Right and Power in themfelves to punifh
and chaftife offending Members: And yet tbey confi-
der'd themfelves as Parts of the Church Univerfal, and
had intercourfc with each other by Synodical Affemblies,
efpecially Provincial Synods^ which met at differing
Times , according to different Circumftances and
Cuftoms. Thefe Synods were made up of Biftiops,
Presbyters, Deacons, and deputed Laymen. They bad
fometimcs One, fometimcs Two Moderators. As to
Forreign Churches they only advis'd: But to their own
Churches whom they repreftnted, their Decrees were
binding.

The Zhiity of the Church Univerfal was not reckoned
to coniift in an Uniformity of Rites, or an Unanimity
of Confent to the non Effentials of Chriftianity : But in
an harmonious Affent to the Effeniial Articles of the
Fairh. The Vmty of a particular Church in the Pri-
mitive Times confifted in the Love and Amity of the
Members towards each other, and the clofc adherence of
the People to their Bilhop or Parilh Church. The breach
of the latter was that which they moft generally count-
ed Schifm, It was a caufelefs Separation from the Pa-
rilh Church: But they reckon'd a Separation warranta-
ble, in Cafe of Apoftacy or Herefie, or a.fcandalous and
wicked Life. Except in thefe Cafes they counted a Se-
paration Schifrnatical. Their

Chap. X VIII. after the Revolution j» x 688. 521

Their Publick H^orfhip was thus manag'd. They be- An. 1692.
gan with reading the Holy Scriptures ; and fomecimes
they ufed to read other pious Writings. There was one
whofe Office it was to read 5 and more or lefs was read
according to Circumftances. This was followed by
finging of Pfalrns, which were cither Scriptural, or
of private Corapofition ; and all the People here bore
their Part, but had no Church Mufick. The preach-
ing of the Word fucceeded; the moft ufual SubjecSts
whereof, were the LelTons that had been read before,
their Sermons being ufually of an Hours length.
Their Difcourfes they accomodated to the Capacities
of their Hearers. The Bifliop ufually was the Preacher :
But a Presbyter, or any other fit Perfon preach'd in his
Room if he defir'd it. After Sermon the whole Con-
gregation fent up United Prayers, looking toward the
the Eaft ; and lifting up their Eyes and Hands towards
Heaven. The Minifter had on a Pallium or Cloak,
but no Surplice, or other additional Veftment. He
pronounc'd his Prayer with a modeft and bafhful Voice.
The Repetition of the Lord's Prayer was not reckon'd
neceffary ; and yet it was ufual. And the other
Prayers which they ufed, were not impofed Forms;
but the Words and Expreffions of them, were left to
the Prudence, Choice, and Judgment of every par-
ticular Bilhop or Minifter. They had no fiinted Litur-
gies or impos'd Forms of Prayer.

In Bapti/m^ the Bifliops or Paftors ufually Officiated.
The Perfons baptized, were eiher Infants or Adult Per-
fons. When Adult Perfons werebaptiz'd,they abjur'd the
Devil, the World, and the Flefti, and gave their Af-
fent to the Fundamental Articles of the Chriftian Faith.
In the Cafe of Infants, there were Godfathers or Spon-
fors. After the Queftions followed Exorcifing : That is,
the Minifter put his Hands on the Head of the Perfon to
be baptiz d, and breath'd in his Face, implying the
expelling of the Evil Spirit from him. And then the
Minifter having confccrated the Water, the Perfon was
baptiz'd in the Name of Father, Son, and Holy Gboft.
Their ufual Way was to dip the whole Body : But
Sprinkling was efteem*d valid and not unlawful. Pray-
ers afterward foilow'd. Then Confirnt/ition, which was
rnade up of Vn&ion, Signation, and Impojition of
Hands. They were anointed, fign'd with the Sign of

the

512 So?^e Hifioncal Additions Chap. XVIII.

An. 1691. the Crofs, and the Miniftsr laid his Hands upon them,
praying that the Holy Ghoft would defcend and reft
up^n them. Presbyters did this as well as Bilhops, up-
on their Permiirion, or in their Abfcnce.

The LordsSupper was celebrated at the Conclufion
of their fo'enw Services, and when and where Tfrtul^
lian Jiv*d, at Supper Time: But in Times of Perfe-
cucion, a: any Scafon or Opportunity. The Commu-
nicants were fuch as were in the Number of the Faith-
ful. In France and .Africa they firft made their Offe-
rings. But in many Places, the Minifter firft began
with an Exhortation. A Prayer was made over the
Elements by him that Ofticiaied, to which the People
faid, j^men. The Words of Inftitution were read.
Then the Bread was broken : And that and the Cup
deliver'd to all. The Pofture was ftanding at Alexan-
drij. And afterwards they fung a Pfalm or Hymn.

As for the Place of Publick Worlhip, the Primitive
Chriltians met where they could ; and yet they had
fix'd Places for itj which were call'd C/jttrc/?^/. They
were eredked on high open Places, and made very
Light. But they did not imagine there was any Holi^
nefs in thefe Places. Their chief Times of Worlhip
were the firft Day of the Week, on which they met
conrtantly. This Day they celebrated with Joyfulnefs,
cfteem'd Holy, and fpent in an holy Manner, in Me-
mory of the Glorious Refurredion of their Redeemer,
They call'd it the Lord's Day-y and fometimes Sunday^
bur never the Snbb^th Day. Snturday was another ufual
TimeoftheirPublick Worlhip. They alfoobferv'd Rr/?j;
fome of which were Occafional, at unufual Seafons,
according to Circumftances ; and others Fix'd, and al-
wa^s obferv'd at the fame Time and Seafon : Some
of thefe were Weekly, as PVc^^ne/day and Friday : And
one was Yearly, and called Lent, Some of their
Parts ended at Three in the AfLcrnoon, others lafted
till Evening, and others till the Morning of the next
Day.

They had alfo their Feajis ; Three of which were
Annual : as E.tjio , iVbitfundny^ and Chriftmas, Eafter was
the moft ancient ; l^Vmtfunday often mcntiond ; and
even Chrijhn.ii is taken Notice of by Clemens Alexari'
d'inuf. Epiphnny was alfo kept by fome in Memory of
Chrift's Baptifm. The Anniverfnriei of the Martyrs al^

fo

Chap. XVIII. after the Revolution in 1688. 525

fo were Feftivally obfcrv'd, to encourage others to fol- -dn. 1692,
low their Examples. They were kept at the Martyrs
TornbrT^^nd fpent in Prayers and Devotions.

Several Ceremonies were ufed by the Ancients, which
crept into the Church many Ways. But every Church
follow'd its own Rites, without impofing them on any
other. And the Members of every Church were ob-
liged to obferve thd" Rites of that Church where they
liv'd. The Author all along fupports his Aflenions,
with Citations outof the Writings of the Three Firit
Centuries; adding in the Margin, the Original Words
of the PalTages cited . And he concludes with a Fer-
fwalion to Peace, Unity, and Moderation. But the
Reader muft not imagine, that all tbefe Things men-
tion d were from the Firft : Tho* all come within :he
Compafs of the Three Firft Centuries, yet (tome were
only of the Third of them, which this Author is free
in acknowledging.

At this Time alfo came out Mr. Lock's Third Letter The Third
for Toleration^ in which he undertook to Ihew his Ama- Letm of
gonift, that the moderate Penalties he pleaded for, were Toleia-
but anew Way of Perficution ; and that if he'd be true tion.
to his own Principles, he muft carry his fome Degrees cf
Force, to all thofe Degrees which in Words he declar'd
againft. To the Magijlrates being chligd to u/e Force to
bring Men to the true I^cligior, he replies, that the Ma-
giftrate muft adt according to his Belief or Perfwafion.
He can only ufe Force to bring Men to that Religion
which he believes to be true. And if fo, all Magift rates
of whatfoever Religion, muft be allow'd to ufe Force
to bring Men no theirs, becaufe they believe it true.
And as long as they are perfwaded their Religion is
the true, they are as much oblig'd to ufe Force to
bring Men to it, as if it were the true. If a firm Per-
fwafion is fufficient to authorize the Magiftrate to ufe
Force, the People in every Country are given up to the
coadive Force of the Magiftrate, to be employ'd for
the affifting the Minifters of his Religion : And King
Lewis of good Right comes in with his Dragoons.
And they that punilh others for not being of the Reli-
gion which they judge to be true, are Judges of Truth
for others, let it be done to bring them to judge more
fxncerely for themfelveSy or under what Pretence or Co-
Ipur foever. If the Magiftrate punifhes a Man becaufe
r • - hs

524 Some Hiftorkal Additions Cbap. XV III.

An. i5c2.be judges him in an Error: 'Tis queried, Why is not
a Man as fit to judge for himfelf when he is in an Er-
ror, as another to judge for him, who is as liable to
Error himfelf ? He that punilhes another to make him
confrder, takes upon him to judge for him what is
right in Matters of Religion. He that is of any Re-
ligion, has already judg'd for hinafelf: And if you pu-
nifh him after that, under Pretence to make him
confider, that he may judge for himfelf, 'ti» plain you
punifti him to make him judge otherwife than he has al-
ready judg'd, and to judge as you have judg'd for him.
To have a Power to ufe Force in Religion, vefted in
the Magiftrate, takes away the Care of Men's Souls
from themfelves, and places it in the Magiftrates ra-
ther than in themfelves.

A Commifjion may well be demanded, by which Ma-
giftrates are authorized for this. Good Proof of it may
be the rather infifted on, becaufe it is fo evident that
the Execution of fuch a Commiflion would do
more Harm than Good. Its not very likely God
fhould give fuch a Commiffion. If the Magi-
ftrates Authority may do much towards the upholding
and preferving the true Religion within his Jurifdi-
dHon, it may alfo do much towards the upholding and
preferving a falfe Religion, and ( if that will do ) to
eftablifli it. No Man has or can have Authority to
ihut any one out of the Church of Chrift, for that
for which Chrift himfelf will not (hut him out of Hea-
ven. Whoever does fo, is truly the Author and Pro-
moter of Schifm and Divifion, lets up a Secft, and tears
in Pieces the Church of Chrill, of which every one
who believes, and pradtifes what is neccffary to Salva-
tion, is a Part and Member ; and cannot, ■■ without the
Guilt of Schifm, be feparated from, or kept out of its
external Communion. To punifh Dilfenters as Diffen-
rers, to make them confider, has fomething impractica-
ble in it, unlefs not to be of the National Religion,
and not to confider be the fame Thing. *Tis pleaded
I hey are punilhed, for rejeHing the true ^^'gion, of
vphich fufficient Evidence xom tendered them. But how
can it be known, That ever fufficicnt Evidence was
tendered to fuch Diffenters as are punifti'd, to prove
that what they rejed, is a Part of that ©ne only true
Religion, which unlefs they be of, they cannot be

favd.

Chap.XVIlI. after the Revolutiontn 1688. 5x5

fav'd ? Or indeed how can it be known, that any An. 1592.
Dilfemer rejeds that one only true Religion, when
being pnnilh'd barely for not conforming, he is never
ask'd, what Part it is he diffents from or lejetas ?
Withal, as the Power of punifhing (if itbeallow'd)
cannot be limited to any diftind Sort of Magiftrates,
nor can the DifTenters from any National Religion be
exempted, fo neither can the Punifliment be limited
to any Degree (hort of the higheft. // moderate Pu-
ni(hments are needful^ the higheft will be fo. If the
loweft Degree of Force be necelTary where gentler
Means will not prevail ; higher Degrees of Force are
neceffary, where lower will not prevail, for the lame
Reafon. If Force be the Remedy, it muft be propor-
tioned to the Oppofition. Where Force is proper to
Work, they who are not wrought on by lower De-
grees, may yet be by higher. If the Meafure of the
Penalties inflided be to be determined by the Prudence
and Experience of Magiftrates, whatever Degrees of
Force they Ihall ufe, will always be the Right. And
where there is a Fauk to be correded by the Magiftrates
Force, there no Degree of Force which is ineffectual,
and not fufficient to amend it, can be immoderate;
efpecially if it be a Fault of great Moment in its Con-
fequences, as certainly that muft be, which draws after
it the Lofs of Men's Eternal Happinefs.

But the Meafure of Punifhments is to be eftimated
as well by the Length of their Duration, as the In-
tenfenefs of their Degrees. 'Tis faid Men muft be
panifhed as long as they reject the true I{eligion ? If fo,
then they that punilh them, muft be Judges for therai
what is the true Religion. Then alfo they that offend
God, muft be always fubjedb to Punilhment from Men.
Nay, then the Punifliment inflided, might as well be
altogether forborn; For if it be reafonable to continue
a Man feveral Years, nay, his whole Life, under the
fame repeated Punifliments, without going any higher,
tho* they work not at all j becaufe it is polfible they
may fome Time or other work upon him, why is it not
as reafonable and ufcful (as it is much more juftifiable
and charitable) to leave him all his Life under the
Means, which all agree God has appointed, without
going any higher, becaufe it is not impoflible that fome
Time or other Preaching may work upon him ?

The

526 Some Hiftoncal Additions Chap. XVI If,

Jln. 1 6^1. The ufing Force with a Defign to bring Men to the
true I{eligioti, tho* it Jooks plaufible, is hut a Pretence^
Bringing Men to the true I{rligion in this Cafe, is a bring-
ing them to Conformity to the National ; (which being
reach'd. Force is laid afide) and how far that outward
Conformity is from being heartily of the true Religion,
may be known by the Diftance there is between the
ealieftand the hardcft Thing in the World. If Penal-
ties are ufed in Engltind to bring Men to the true Reli-
gion, then the Difcipline and Ceremonies of the Church
of Englnnij make up a Part of the only true Religion :
For the grsateft Part of DifTent^rs own and profefs
the Dodnne of that Church, as firmly as thofe in its
Communion. But all that Force can do, is to bring
Men to an outward Profeflion of the Religion of the
Church of England. And why (hould Force be ufed to
promote Ceremonies, under a Pretence of bring-
ing Men to the true Religion ? Are Kneeling at the
Lord's Supper, or the Crofs in Baptifm, neceflary
to Salvation } Can any Humane Power, make a Thing
in its own Nature indifferent, neceffary to Salvation ?
If it cannot, then neither can any Humane Power b«
juftified in the Ufe of Force, to bring Men to Con-
formity in the Ufe of fuch Things. Force cannot be
lawfully us'd to bring Men to the Communion of the
Church of England^ till it is prov'd, that all that is re-
quir'd of one in that Communion, is neceffary to Sal-
vation. And if Force be neceffary to bring Men to
Salvation, how can there be fo many as there are, not
only in moft Country Pariflies, but in all Parts of
England, grofly ignorant in the Dndtrines and Prin-
ciples of the Chriffian Religion ? Why fhould it not
find out fome of the ignorant and no'^onfidering, that
are in the National Church, as well ns it does fo di-
ligently, all the Nonconformifts out of it, whether
they have confider'd, or are knowing or noP They
that make flridk Laws for Conformity, and take no
Care to have it examind upon what Grounds Men
conform, are not very much concern d that Men's Un-
derflandings fliould be convinc'd. The Scriptural Me-
thods are beft, to bring Men to true Religion, which
lies not in Externals, Whatever the Religion be, it is
natural for Force and Penalties when us'd to bring the
Irreligious, and thofe who are carelefi and uncon-

cern*(*

Chap. XVIH. after the Revokthn in 1688, 527

cern d into ihc National ProfefTion : But whether it be -4«. 16-92,
not fitter for fuch to be kept out, rather than by Force
to be driven into the Communion of any Church, and
own'd as Members of it, deferves the Confideration of
fuch as have a due Care and Refpe£t for truly Religious
and Pious Conformifts.

After all, the Chriftian Religion prevail'd in the Firft
Ages of the Church, by its own Beauty, Force, and
Reafonablenefs, without any Penal-Laws to back it:
And it is as able to prevail now, as it did at firft, and has
done fince in many Places. All die AlTiftance it needs
from Authority, is only a Liberty for ic to be truly
taught. There is no more Neceflity of Force to make
Men of the true Religion, than there is of Caftration
to make Men Chafte : And therefore the Magiftrate
may as well caftrace Men to make them Chafte, as
ufe Force to make them embrace the Truth that muft
fave them, (^c

This Year the Jacobites rejoic'd at the Ruin of our^;,. i^c?,
Smirna Fleet, and the ill Succefs of the Battle of Lnn-
den ; as they ufualiy did at every Thing which they ap-
prehended might weaken King TVilUam^ or promote the
Incereft of their old Mafter. The Conteft between the
two Parties in the Church, of England, continu'd much
upon the fame foot as before. In November died
Dr. Bancroft, the late Archbilhop of Canterbury, ^i -^rchhl/hojf
Fretchingfield in Suffolk, the Place of his Birth; and?^"^°^^**
where he liv*d in Solitude and Retirement affer his ^^'*"'-
being deprived. His Condudi afcer the Revolution
in T 688. is hard to be accounted for. He left his Au-
thority intirely with his Chancellor, tvho aHing in his
f^ame and by his Commijfion, xoas the fame Perfon in Law
with himfelf. Oaths were tender d to others, and tal{en by
them in his Name^ which he tho^t un-
lawful *. The other Bifliops that * See the Bl/hop of Sarum'i
were deprived, alfo generally did Vindication : Printed for Ri-
the fame. When the Eledion of chard Chifwel, 8^,1^96./'. 14^
Dr. Burnet to Sarum was returned 22, 95, &c.
and confirm'd , the Precept for his
Confecration went to the Archbiftiop in Courfe. Arch'
hi/hop Sancroft faid he would not obey it. Some Bifhops
tried to perfwade hint^ but in vain. The Earl of Not-
tingham tried, and fucceeded no better, The Party got it
among them, that he had promifed them not to do it. But

4i

528 Some Hiftorical Additions Chap. X VIIL

An, l5p3. as the Time came on, and he faw that he mufl be
fued in a Premunire, vohen this was laid before him, he
all on the fudden ordered two CommiJJions to be drawn, both
which he Jjgnd and Jealed : One direcled to the Archbijhop
of York, nnd all the Bifhops of England ; the other to
the Bifloop of London, and all the Bifhops of the Province^
to execute his M;tropolitical Authority during Pleafure,
This Ijfi was made ufe of, and purfuant to it^ Dr. Burnet
was Confecrated : So that this was as much his own Adt,
Hii Con- as if he himfelf had Confecrated him. Indeed in that
du6h after Part of his Deportment which related to the Publick,^ there
the Rero/u- was jomething very fingular, either in his Opinion, or in
tton. Ijij Temper. Either his Opinion of the Eftablifloment dif-

fered from his BrethrenSy or he hadaFearfulnefs of Temper,
that neither became his Pofi, mr thofe Times. He was
one of thofe Lords that met at GuildhaH and fignd the
Invitation to the then Prince of Orange, to come and look,
to the Prefervation of Religion, and of the Nation, When
the Prince came to St. JaraesV, he neither waited upon him,
nor did he fend any Mejfage , importing that the State of
Affairs was changed^ and that he had thereupon changed
his Mind, IVhen the Convention was fummond, he
would not appear all the while, tho his Brethren did, and
both fpak^e and voted according to their Principles. The
Matter finely fo many Days in the Houfe of Lords, and
was at lafl carried upon fo fmall an Inequality, that the
weight of an Archbijhop of Csinteibury might have held,
if not turned the Ballance, No Man did run any risk^ «-
tber at that Time or afterwards^for the Freedom with which
he debated or voted. Here was a very unaccountable Beha-
viour, if he thdt it was either Rebellion or Treafon that
was then in debate. If he had but once come and decla/d
againfl all that was then in Agitation, and then with-
drawn ; this would have become him and his Station, His
Chaplains took the Oaths, and were not difcountenanc'd by
him : Thofe that kpew him heft, gave it outj upon that
ftrange Deportment of his, that he wipod well to the
Change, only that he himfelf would not be aHive in it ;
and this phey imputed to fame Promife^ that they believed
he had made to the late King, When Kjng James went
to Ireland, and during aU the Time of that War, when
the Party in England ^rfip bold and was full of Hopes,
he continud in his former Silence and B^fervcdnefs ; and
ftill kept up his former Friend/hip with thofs who had taken

the

■ '

Chap. XVIH. after t/je Revolution in 1 68S. 529

fhe Oaths. A( that Time Jeveral Clergymen who had An, 16^5*.
Scruples concerning the Oaths voent to him, and defird to
Difccurfe the Matter with him, hut he declined it. i^hen
Bijhop Turner'j Letters were intercepted he /aid to a great
many, that he had no Authority from him to write as he
did in his Name. After he was deprived, he never tool^ on
him to AB with his Archiepifeopal Authority. He never
flood upon his I{ight, nor complained of H^rong, irt any
Puhlici{_ AB or Protejiation. He never requir'^d the Bi'
/hops or Clergy of his Province to adhere to him, or to
difown his Succejfor 5 and neither living nor dyings did he
fuhlifh any Thing to the Nation, charging thefe Things
upon them, or requiring them to return to their former
State. And yet if all that was done, was Rebellion,
Treafon, Murder, or Perjury, thefe can be no light Mat^
Iters, He who was at the Head of the Churchy if he tho't
Jo of them, ought to have life up his Voice like a
Trumpet, and have cried alond, and not have fpared„
It was vifihle to all who faw the State of Affairs^ that
he would have been in no Danger if he had done it^ But
fuppofe he had been in Danger, ought not fuch a ^nn as
he was, to have facrificd his Life, rather than have aban-^
dond fuch a Pofl, and have been filent at fuch a Time ?
Since therefore fuch a H^ay of proceeding is not reconcile"
able with an Apodolical or Primitive Spirit^ and lool{s lil^e
not only a deferting, but a betraying the Obligations that
he lay under : It is the moji favourable Judgment that
can be made of him, to thitik. that he was more indifferent
in this Matter, than Jome would make lit believe he was t
That tho he would net aB, nor l{eep his Poji under the
Government^ yet that flowed from particular Confidera^
tions, which tho* they might worl^ upon himfelf, yet he
aBed for the Caufe itfelf with no ^eal nor Courage. But
hotwichftanding all this, there were fome that highly
applauded hinfi. And three of his Sermons- preach'd
upon Publick Occafions, ( which were all he ever
Printed) were Reprinted, fome Time afcer with a
Pompous Charadier and Eiogium of him prefixed;

A noble Peer (whom I have cited before,) in his
Charge to the Grand Jury at the

Quarter Seflions for the County of ^ see the Earl of Warrington's
Chefter % about this Time, fays a- charge, in the State TraCfs of
mong other Things, That there Km^ William, f^el. 2. p. 34^*
are fome People^ who are afraid of

M m their

550 Some Hi floricd Addition, Chap, XVIII.

An, 1695- ^^^^"^ Shadows, For (fays he) how the Church can be hurt
by any Lavps that concern the State^ is not eafily to be com"
prehendedy if thoje Lavps ejlablijb no other Gojpel, than
that which was delivered by our Saviour, Nothing can
hurt the Church but itfelf^ and it is never more in D anger ,
than when it is in its greatefi Pomp and Grandeur, The
Deceit of thfi k very plain ; becaufe they that baul mofi of
the Danger that the Church is in, have the leafi of l^f-
ligion in their Lives: For thofe who live andZJnderJiand
better^ fee the Folly of it, as alfo of that DoBrine of Paf-
five Obedience aud Non-Refiftance, which many crjd
•up as the Corner-Jione cf the Church ; a Burden which they
vpere forward to lay upon other People* s Shoulders, yet when
it came to their own Turn, none were Jo uneafy under it
AS they. For when their Bjghts came to be touched, no
Mens Mouths were fo full of Liberty and Property as
their*j 9 but now that the Storm is pretty well blown over^
they are angry that that .Liberty is granted to others
which yet they promifed to covfent to, and are returned to
where they were, in fupporting that arbitrary DoBrine.

Great Heats were this Year continued among the
Diffenters about Dodrinal Matters. Mr. iVilliams now
publifll'd his Defence cf Gcfpel Truth, in Anfwer to
Mr. Chancy. And Dr. John Edwards of Cambridge^
}oin'd in Concurrence, in a Book intituled, Crifpianijm
unmask' d ; or a Difcovery of the feveral erroneous Alfer-
tions and pernicious Do(^rines, maintained in Dr. Crifp's
Sermons : And Mr. Chancey publifli'd feveral Contro-
verfial Trafts : And the Debate widened inftcad of
leffening ; while others Jaoiented to fee the Confc-
quences of ihefe Heats upon real Vital Religion.
Mr. Tong'5 At this Time came out a Defence of Mr. Henrys
yindica- Brief Enquiry into the Nature of Schifm^ and the Vindicc^
tion ofNoti' tion of it : with [{efieHions upon a Pamphlet caS'd the Sf-
conformity, i^iew : Arid a Brief H'lflorical Account of Nonconformity^
from the Information to this prefent Time : written by
Mr. Tong ; in 4to. The Reader may here fee a juft
Account of Catholiek^ Vnity, which has been moft un-
mercifully tortured, and made ufe of to frighten the
Weak and Timerous, and chaftifc the more refolutc
Oppofers of Spiritual Ufurpation and Tyranny. No-
thing belongs to it, but what belongs to the Being of
the Church*

Ii

Chap. XVIII. afierthe Revalfitionin 1688, 531

It is either Political ot Moral. Political ZJnity^ is that An. i6^^i
whereby all the true Members of the Church are united
unto Chrift their Head, and that is by true Faith,
The Moraly is that by which they are united one to
another; by Chriftian Lox;^, which in feme Degree
follows the former. 'Tis the fornner that primarily^
neceffariiy, and immediately constitutes that facred So-
ciety, the Church of God. In which Scripture, Fa-
thers,, and , Reformers agree. By this Faith, the true
Members of the Church are united in the Love and
Service of one God, and fo diftinguifli'd from Pagans^
and in Affiance in one Mediator, and fo are diftin-
guifli'd front Mabumetans and Dcijis ; and in the gra-
cious Influences of one Spirit, and fo are diftihguilhed
from impenitent fenfual Perfons ; and in one Rule of
Faith, Worftiip, and Obedience ; and in one Baptifm.
And this is. the Unity defcrib'd, Eph. 4, 5, 6. The
Moral tJnity, by which the Mfembers are knit together
in Love, admits of various Degrees, and is fubje£l to
linful Declenfions : But he that is wholly without it,
can never know that he hath pafled from Death to
Life. This Love Chrift makes the Badge and Gha-
radkeriftickofhis Difciples. A regular Miniftry, is not
effential to this Unity *. To affirm that no Man can ^ See this
be truly converted, but by a regular Miniftry, would debated, ^
involve the Minds of Men in endlefs Perplexities. P* 5) ^>^^°
This is confirm'd by various Teftimonies. And fince
the Vnity of the Church confifts in the true Catholicfe
Faith and Ghriftian Affection, whereby Men are knit
to Chrift the Head, and to one another ; none are out
of the Unity of the Church, but thofe that are deftitute
of thefe Fundamental Graces: And to affirm this of
Proteftant Dijfenters in General, is a Piece bf Diabo-:
lifm which the Gofpel abhors, a.nd Humanity it felf
will be aftiamed of. The Author in Chap. 2. proceeds
to clear the Nonconformifts, from the Charge of Dif-
obedience to Superiors; whether Spiritual Governors
the Biihops ; or the Civil Magiftrate. And he makes
ufe of a threefold Plea :

I. That Bi/hops have no Power ly the LavQ of God, but
Tvhat Presbyters have as well as they: From p. 17, to
/>i bS : He here proves. That the Jurifdi^ion of Eng"
lifh Biihops is. not Jure Divino ; but Presbyters have a^
much Power by the Law of God as they : Anfwers

Mm » Alk-

532 Some Hi fioricdl Additions Chap. XVIII.

An. 169^. Allegations out of Antiquity : And gives the Judg-
ment of Fathers, Councils, and School-men ; together
with the firft Reformers, and forreign Divines. And
from thence he infers that Ordination by Presbyters
muit neeus be valid, />. 39 : And that there is no Ne-
cefliiy of an uninterrupted Line of Succeflion, from the
Apoftles, p, 40, (^c,

1. He pleads, That the vpholejurifdi&ion of our Eng-
lifli Bifiofs, and the Powsr of their CanonSy is derivd
from the Civil Magifirate^ and Lnvps of the Land, p. 53,
&c.

3. He pleads, That the Civil Power has nox9 left us
to ofir Lilfcrry in the Cafe of Conformity, and therefore we
are 7iot Guilty of Difobedienee to Authority in what we do,
p. 60.

He goes on Chap. 4. to clear the Nonformifls, from
ihe Charge of Ihdecency and Irregularity. He confi-
tiers the Nature and Rule of Decency, f. 66. And
vindicates the DilTenters from the Charge of Indecency
in Expreliion, p. 68. Gefture, p. 69. And Habir,
p. 70. Shews that there is no pofitive Deceocy in the
Ceremonies, /?. 7 1 . Makes fome Refledkions upon Pa-
rifh Order, />. 72. And upon the Terms of Conformi-
ty, py 735 and the Reafons of Nonconformity, />. 75.
And anfwers the common Arguments produced for the
Impofition of Ceremonies, p. 79.

In the Refledlions on the £(j:mew, the Notion of

Schifm is farther confider d, and divers others Matters.

And in the Clofe an Appendix is added that is Hifto-

rical, which tho' ihort, is clear and ftrong.

A Tied for Now alfo came out A Pica for Abatement in Matters

Abate- of Conformity^ to feveral Injundlions and Orders of the

mentis by Church of England. By Irenaus Junior 5 a Conforming

an Ano- Member of the Church of England : In ^to. The Author

nymous begins with an Intimation, that if the many earned and

Churchman repeated Promifes of Perfons in Extremity, could lay an

Obligation of Performance upon them, to pay their

Vows whenever they become folvcnt, there were many

of no fmall Figure and Intercft in the Church, under

no mean Tie to find out an Expedient and Temper, to

heal thofc Breaches which feveral controverted Rites

and Ceremonies of the Church had unhappily occa-

fion'd. And he mentions fonie, That in the height of

the Siorm promifed a Candle as tall as their Main-

Chap. XVIIL aft er the Revolution iniSSi. 553

Ma/^, who when that was allay *d, tho'tone burnt into An. 16^^,
the Socket, too coftly a Sacrifice to offer up, for the Peace
and Unity of the Church. He however, (and he inti-
mates he is not alone neither) moves for ConcefHons,
in Hopes of gaining fome of the DifTenters at leaft, and
preventing the fcattering of others that frequent the Pub-
lick Churches. He moves that fome Regard may be
had to the tender Confciences of Conformifts, wh©
haye a long Time Iain under an heavy Burden : Who
like IJfachnr have rather chewed the Cud than divided
the Hoof : Bit the Bridie, than fnarl'd at the Gover-
nors of it.

He moves, (i.) For dropping the Surplice and Ha-
bits, of which he declares feveral of the firft Refor-
mers had no Fondnefs: And begs that for the Future
the Righteoufnefs of the Saints may be a fufficient
Qualification for the Minifi:erial Office, tho' they fliould
appear in no other clean Linnen in Time of Wor-
(hip ; according to B^veL 19. 8. (i.) As for the Sign
of the Crofs, which other Pioteftant Churches rejecSted
as fuperftitious, and an unnecelTary Addition to the
Sacrament of Baptifm, and the infifting on which
tempted fome to let their Children die unbaptiz'd, he
moves that it might be abated or left indifferent.
(^.) As for Kjieeling at the Lord's Supper, tho' it be an
ExprefiSon of Reverence when it is accompanied with
a devout Heart, yet he pleads 'tis hard to force Mini-
fters to deny Children their Bread, meerly for a Rite
which the Impofers themfelves own to be indifferent ;
And therefore he begs, Th^c that alfo may be left in-
different. C 4. ) In the Liturgy^ he moves that the
Form and Method of it may be reconfidered, fince it is
much of the I{pman Stamp : That Church-Mujicl^ may
be fo ordered, as that People may not be tempted
to miflake the tickling of the Ears, for an Elation of
Mind, and Heavenly Rapture : That David's Pfalms
may be read in the Nevy Tranllation ; as vvell as the
teft of Scripture; and read by the Minifter, rathef
than alternately by Minifter and People: That the
reading Second Service at the Altar, may be wav'd as
itot to Edification. He would alfo have the Length of
the Seivice confidered, and fome Abatement made.
This he fays, falls Heavy in Country Villages, where
they qaat be a.t the Charge of Readers. He repre-

Mm 3 fent^

5:?4 ^ome Hijidrical Additions Chap. XVIH.

m • ■ , .

uin. i6<^^. fenrs it as a Grievance, that the moft difficult and con-
ftant Labour Ihould meet with the Icaft Encourage-
ment : And moves that Matters may be fo ordered, as
that poor Country Minifters may not be forc'd to fink
dov,'n under two Heavy Burdens of the Desk and
PuJpit. He moves that the Lords Prayer and DoxoJogy,
mayn't be fo often repeated at the fame Time, leaft
People ftiould apprehend they tho't to be accepted for
much Speaking. He moves that the ArticJes of Faith,
and Subject Matter of Prayer might be clear and per-
fpiquous ; and would have the Article of the Dejcent
into Hell alter'd, it having been fo much controverted.
He's for an Abatement of the Athanafian Creed ( com-
monly fo caifd ) that the Gate of Heaven may not be
^ade narrower than God hath made it. As to B^genc
ratio7iby the Spirit, which is fo great aThing, he moves
that there may be no Infinuation, as if, wherever the
Means were ufed, the End were ex opere operato cer-
tainly attained : And for the Office of the Burial of
the Dead, he's for having it fo manag'd, as that there
might be a Separation of the Precious from the Vile ;
and rx) hoping againft Hope, nor contrary to it. He
moves that the ColleHs for the King, and thofe in Au-
thority may be fo ordered, as that the Living may not
be flatter'd : That the Office of Confirmation might be
allow'd, to all thofe to whom is committed theDifpen-
iation of the Oracles of God, and Holy Sacraments.
'And as to Difclpline, he moves that the Minifter of the
Parifh might be impower'd to aflift the Birtiop, wheil
any of his Fjock are coavented as Criminals: That
Difcipline might not be more quick figbted in Matters
of Conformity, than in Morals. He complains that
Non-Refittance and Paffive Obedience were the Uni-
verfal Cry in the Church, and fquecz'd till the Blood
came ; But the Mifchief was, when they had nurft the
Prerogative till it had ftung fome of them, and hifs'd
at all the reft, they prefently let the World fee, they
never brew'd this Dodtrine for their own Drinking.
Then (fa'. s he) they acknowledg'd wc fuffer juftjy,
but \vhat have our Brethren done, whom we purfu'd
with fuch Revenge and Rage ? Then they confeft
that ihey facrific'd the Intereft of the Church to their
Malice : But if the Diffenters would forbear to com-
ply with the Common Enemy, they would do great

Things

Ghap. XVIII. after the RevolHtlon in i6%^. 555

Things for them, whenever they came again into their An- 1695.
Kingdom : But alafs there's to too giuch Reafon ( fays
he) to cry out, /Egrotat Dcemon, Monachus tunc ejfe vo-
lebat : Convaluit Dcemon j D^mon ut ante fuit, Witnefs
that great regret fome of them have exprefs'd agalnft that
Kindnefsand Favour, which the King and twofucceed-
ing ParHamentshave evidenc'dto Dilfenting Proteftants;
while they with Fury bite the Chain which 'reftrains
them from falling foul upon their former Prey ; Befides
their unreafonable ftickle to prevent the Jeaft Abate-
ment in Matters, which refpecft the Ceremonial
Part of Worfliip; a Conformity to which goes with
them for the whole Duty of a Minifter. He pleads
earneftly for fuch Abatements as thofe above mention'd
in fuch a Jundlure, and urges many very moving Con-
iiderations : But the Time was not yet come.

The Jacobites held on Plotting, but ftill were dif^ ^». 15^4;
appointed in their Deiigns ; and thereby the more en-
rag'd. The Divifion continued in the Church of Eng"
lanei, and fo did Contention among the Diffenters ; ^
And being both engaged at once, (the' in different
Ways) neither Side could much infult the other.
Bilhop Burnet now publiih'd four Difcourfes to the ^-/t f, f
Clergy of his Diocefe ; the Laft of which is concern- SaVum'*
ing the Obligations to continue in the Communion of the p^^^ j^^r.
Church 5 in which he reprefents the Diffenters as viola- courCes to
ting the Laws of Chriftian Unity, for not complying h^ clergy,
withthc AS: oiVni for mi ty. Some No^fj were hereupon
pnblifhed by an Anonymus Author, who tho' perhaps he
wrote not with all that refpedl that vvas due to
a Prelate who has deferv'd fo well of all true Prote-
flants, and been fo zealous for Moderation^ as the Bi-
(hop of Sarum^ yet faftened upon fome Things that
were deferving Obfervation. For it was ( as he takes
Notice ) a little odd, that in a Volume publiih'd by
fuch an one as his Lordlhip, the Atheift Ihould lead the
Van, and the Dijf enter bring up the jlear. And after
all that has been (aid of Uniformity in the Church, and
the Charge brought againft the Diffenters as violating
Unity for not falling in with it, there is a great Dif^
formity in the feveral Modes of Worihip in that
Church, and greater Difference between them, than
between fome Church Worfhip, and the W^rfhip
in lome Diffeating Congregations. For ( fays he \

Mm 4 '4

5^6 Some Hifiorical Additions Chap. XVIII.

An. 16^4. a church of England Courtier is one Sort of iVorfhip-
fer^ a Church of England Catbedralift of another kjnd,
a Church of Englanci Citi:^en yet lefs Theatrical, ^nd a
Church of England Pc^fant of a Sort by himfelf. This
diver fity of iVorfhip K fo very co7ifiderable^ and makes thefe
pretended Uniformity "Men look, fo little like Members of one
a'fid the fame Church, that a perfeEi Stranger to them all,
at one Time vifitin^ the Royal Chappel at high Devotion,
and by and by lookiyig into Weftminfter Abbey, and anon
trdclng to St. Lawrences in the City, and fhortly after tra-
vetiing tofome homely Country Church, and iir icily objerving
all their vAriota fVays of l^^orfhipping, voould be apt to
conclude, that thefe Men never had an AH of Vniformity
read among them, but were each of them a more diftinii fort
of PVorfhjppers, and lefl of a Piece than the Dijfenters are
with the t/ijl memiond, and honefl eft fort among themfehes.
This much abates the Plea againft the DilTenrers, as vio-
lating Vynty, by being wanting inVniformity.

But this was as nothing to the Alfault the Bifhop met
with upon this Occafion from another Quarter. For
Mr; H/7/ of Kjllmington put out a Book againft his
Lordfhips Second Difcourfe of the Divinity and Death of
ChriJ}^ and call'd it a Vindication of the Primitive Fa-
thers againft the Imputations of Gilbert Lord Bifhop ofSa^'
ram. He charges the Bifhop with defeAively ftating
our Faith and Doctrine in the Articles of the Trinity
and Incarnation : And with expofing the Fathers, un*
der the fame and worfe Imputations. And he Appeals
to the Judgment of the Church Univerfal, the Archbi-
shops and Bifliops of the Church of England, and the
next SefTions of Convocation ; and feems very defirous
to have the Bifhop then burnt for an Heretick. Some
I{emarks of an Vniverfity Min were publifh'd upon this
Book of Mr. l^ills ; in which he complains that his
Lordfhips Senfe was confounded, and his meaning re-
prefented falfly, and by halves; And he calls Mr. Hiffs
Performance a ft.^uffage cf Scurrilous Expreffions, and dif-
covers great Indignation againft his undecent and un-
chriftian Way of Writing, and fays that fuch Men as
he, are born to be the pefts of their Neighbourhood,
and the Plagues of the Church. This was foon fol-
lowed with a Pamphlet, Entituled, Animadverfiont on
Mr. Hill '/ Book, in a Letter to a Perfon of Quality; io
which the Amhor aft<;r taking him to taik for various

Par-

Ghap. XVIII. afur the Revolution in i688. 537

Particulars, declares that he wifhes from his Heart he-^«. i5p4.

might come to bimfelf, confider his fault, and repent :

And fays, that if he could but for a Minute rcfle(5k in

cool BJood, upon his outragious Way of Writing, and

upon the Service he had done to the Enemies of the

Trinity, by endeavouring to Sacrifice to them one of the

Defenders of it, for whofe Talents he could not but ex-

prefs. fome efteem, how averfe foever he might be to

his Perfon, he was fure he would be alham'd of his

Book.

Had the Diflenters but been now at Unity among The BJjfen-
themfelves, when upon every Occafion there were fuch ters d/W-
FJames breaking'out in the EftabUfh'd Church, it would '^ed.
have been much for their Honour, and might have had
good Effefts ; But the ferment that was got a.mongthem
was not eafily ftopp'd or check'd. Papers pafs'd be-
tween the two Parties calfd Presbyterian and Conffrega-
tionaiy in order to a Renunciation of Jlrminian Errors
On one Hand, and Antinomian on the other, but to little
Purpofe. A Breach was now made in Pinners Hall Le-
cture. Mr. Williams was to be excluded : Nothing lefs
would fatisfy. A new Le(^ure was fet up at Sabers
Ball, Three of the old Lcdturers, vi:{. Dr. Bates^ Mr.
Hoxfe, and Mr. Alfof, bore him Company ; and Two
more were added : And the Two old Ledrurers at P/w-
Tiers Hall, vi:(, Mr. MeaJ, and Mr, Cole, had Four more
added to them : And it was obferv'd that Three of them
that were fo added, never were of the Union. Mr. Ma-
'her now publilh'd Two Sermons on ^m. 3. zz, Entita-
led, The Highteoufnefi of God through Faith, upon all
without Difference who believe. Which was anfwer'd
by Mr. 14^illiams, in a Tradt, calFd tAan made ^ighteom.
Now alfo Mr. Lorimer publilh'd his Apology for the Mi-
niftefs whofubfcrib'd unto the flating of the Truths and
Errors in Mr. Williams's Book, ; fllewing that the Gofpel
which they Preach, is the old Everlafting Gofpel of
Chrift; and vindicating them from the calumnies where-
with they were afpers'd, by the Letter from a Minifler in
the City to a Minifter in the Country, 4t0. And Things
feem'd more likely to grow worfe, than better.

In the mean Time the Nation fuftain d Two Publick The Death
Lolfes, which occafiond a general Concern. The firft "/ -^''f^-
lOvas of Archbiihop Tillotfon, who died Nov, ii, Bifliop ^'fi^P
Burnet the' a great Orator, did not exceed at his Fune- Tillotfon.

5 !^8 Some Hijiorzcal Addition f Chap. XVIII.

.^4»> 1694 ral. He was one of eminent Piecy, fingular fweetnefs
of Temper, and a great Lover of Peace; And yet per-
haps might not have been fo well able to grapple with
fome Difficulties, that he would have met with, had he
liv\i longer, as his Succeflbr. Tis obferv'd by Dr. Ni-
chols *, That this Archbifhop voai not
* In Appar<iL. ad Defenf. Ec- intent upon having a Convocation
cics. Anglic, f. ici. caW^d for fever at Tears together^ leall

Debates about altering the Liturgy^

might prove prejudi^al to B^ligion: Nor xoas the calling

of a new Convocation^ in hi Time much defir'^d or inpfled

on. They that were defirous of takjing Dijfenters into the

Chuych^ and were for Alterations in order to |V, vere in

hopes that after fome delay ^ the Minds of M«>» vpould be

fo {often d^ that at length they might agree. Others were

VQeQ enough fleas* d that thofe Things that were not agreeable

to them were not urg'd upon them, and that they were under

fjo neceffity of refufing to gratific the Kjngy and offending

their Archbifhop, They could not have any great fondnefi

of feeing him at the Head of n Convocation^ who they l^new

could not hut remember their former Treatment of him.

The Bi (hop of Sarum after his Death defended him

from the Charges and Accufations of his Enemies,

fome of which were very black

> See nefieaiom upon a Fam- and heavy \ He was charged with

phlet, Entituledy [Some Difcourfei being ao Atheift, a Socinian, unjuft

upon Dr. Burnet, and Dr. Til- and fevere to the Non-Jurors and I

lotfon, octafiond by the /ate Vu- knoW not what: But the Bilhop of

wral Sermon of the former upon Sarum by giving a true and naked

the Utter.] pag. 90. &€. Account ot Things, endeavours to

do do Juftice to the Memory of
one, whom the oppolite Party had been purfuing im-
placably many Years. And in a little time Dr.ff^JUi'
am: (who was afterwards Bilhop of Chichejler) publifh'd
a Vindication of the Archbiftiops Sermons, concerning
the Divinity and Incarnation of cw Bleffed Saviour, from
the exceptions of a late Book, Entituled, Confederations
on the explications of the DoHrine of the Trinity : And Z
Letter was added by the Bifliop of Sarum in Vindica-
tion of himfeif frorp the Refle(fkions of the Came
Author.
And of Within Five Weeks after, w:^. on Dec. 18; Queen

Queen^ j^jry alfo departed this Life at Ksnfington^ after a few Days
^l^'■y. lilatjrs of the Sm^-pox. ^leyei was there a more Uni-r

verfal

Ghap. XVIII. after the Revolution in 1688. 539

verfal Sorrow ; Nor could there well be a greater Ocr •-^»- i^94^

cafion, confiderihg how excellent a Perfon She was in

herfelf, and how great a Bleffing to the Lan4. The

new Archbilhop of Canterbury Dr. Tevnifon preach'd

Her Funeral Sermon, at thfe .Time of Her Interment :

Nay, there were a multitude of Funeral Sermons

that were preach'd and publilh'd upon this Occaiion,

both by Church Men and DifTenrers. Bifhop Burne(

alfo publilh'd an EJJay upon Her Memory; in whicli

among other Things merition*d in Her Commendation,

he intimates, That She had an Affe^ion for the Chwch

of England that wof neither btind nor partial. She fav9

yohat finifhings were iiill rvanted, and- had dedicated Her

Thoughts and Endeavours^ to the eonfidering of the belt

ISiieans that might both compleat and jiablijh it. She longd

(fays he) to fee us in a clofer Conj'unHion with all Prote-

Aims Abroad : And hofd we might ftrengthen our Selves at

^ome^ by XJniting to m as many oi could be brought within

our Body, Few Things ever grievd Her more, than that

thofe Hopes feemd to Languifh ! And that the PrcfpeEi of

fo defired an Union, vanijlod out of fight.

The Two Houfes of Parliament, the Lord Mayor,
Aldermen, and Common Council, the City Clergy of
the Church of England, and the feveral Corporations
of the Kingdom, Addrefs'd his Majefty^ by way of
Cow Jo//}»ce upon this Melancholy Occafion: And among
^the reft, the Diffenting Minifters in and about Lo7idon
attended him in a confiderable Body, with Dr. Bates at
their Head, who made this AfFc£ling Speech.

* May it pleafe Your Majefty,
< ^TpHough we come in the Rear of the Train of The Dijren-
-*- ' Mourners, to pay our Tributary Tears for ters Ad-

* the invaluable Lofs, in the Death of Yoiir Royal drefs -of

* Confort, and our itioft Gracious Queen, yet our Re- CondoUnce
^ fentments of it are with as tender a Sympathy as arc ^^ f 'fe^

* in the Breafts of any of Your Subjeds. This gives ^^i^ham,

* the fharpeft Accent to our Paffions, that the Confidera-
' tions which are moft proper and powerful to allay our

* Sorrows, exafperate them : For while we remember

* what She was, how general and difFufive a Blefling to
' Three Kingdoms, the fevere Stroke of Providence in
^ taking Her from us, is moft afflidting. Such a con-
J currencc of high Perfedion Ihin d in Her Perfon and

^ AdioRS

540 Sof^e Htjiorical Additions Gbap. XVIII.

An. 1694

Adlions, that would have made Her lUuftrious in a
low Condition ; and in Her exalted Station, they
were attra6live of the Eyes and Admiration of all.
Her Mind was above the Temptations that attend the
Throne. Majefty was mix'd with that condcfcending
Humility, that tender and beneficent Goodnefs, that
She was eafily acceflible to all for their Relief and
Support. Her Piety and Purity were fo Confpicuous,
Her Affe£tions were fo composed and temperate, that
the Court, that is ufually the Centre of Vanity and
Voluptuoufnefs, became Vertuous, by the Imprefliort
of Her Example. Her Converfation was fo regular^
that Her Enemies (if Goodnefs in fuch a bright Emi-
nency had any) could not faften a Taint upon Her.
Her Royal Endowments for Government, "Wifdom,
Magnanimity, Vigilance and Care in managing Af-
fairs of State (without which the higheft Princes arc
but Civil Idols, ufelcfs and unprofitable to the World)
thefe were in fuch a Degree of Excellency, that in
Your Majefty's conftrain*d Abfence, while You were
defending the Intereftof Chriftendom, againft a Potent
Enemy Abroad, witb the Sword of War, She fweetly
ordered all Things at Home with the Sceptre of Peace.
She is gone, and muft return no more : O aftonifhing
Grief! But it becomes us with humble Submiflion to
Acquiefce in the Divine Difpofal. The Will of God
is always dircdled by Infinite Wifdom, and is the
Rule of Goodnefs. We muft refrclh our Sorrows
with the Hope that She is entered into Her Sav-iour*f
Joy^ whom She imitated and honour*d ,• and that She
is made happy in the Love of God, and the Light of
His Countenance for ever.

* We humbly befeech Your Majefty to accept the
renewed A (Tu ranees of our inviolable and conftant
Fidelity to Your Perfon and Government ; and thai
we (hall influence all that are within our Compafs to
pcrfevere in their Duty: We fhall carncftly Pray to.
the Blcffcd God to keep You in the beft Protection,
His encom palling Favour to fupport Your Spirit with
Divine Comforts, and 10 continue long Your Preciotif
Life, fo neceffary for Preferving the pure Reli^op,
and the Civil Rights of this Kingdom*

Chap.XVIU. after the Revolntion in i6SS. 541

■I-

I well remember that upon this Speech, I faw Tears -4«. i6p^.
trickle down the Cheeks of that great Prince, who fo
often appear d undaunted in the Field of Battle.

The new Archbilhop foon after his Advancement,
prevail'd with the KiHg to publilh feme Injundtions for
the Preferving and Reftoiing of Ecclefiaftical Difcipline.
They related to Ordinations, and Perfons admitted into
Orders, the [{efid&nce of Bifhops, Qualifications of
Curates, Pluralities^ the Manners of

the Clergy, daily Frnyers, the Reli- ¥ rhey may be feen at Utge^
gious oblerving the Lords Day^ Vi- in the Compleat HIJIory of Eng-
/i//wg- the Sick, Catechis[ing, Confirm- land, Vol. 3. Z'^^. 584,68$.
ing. Penance, and Marringe ^.

At this Time was publi(h*d, ^ Dijcourfe conctrning the Bifho^King
Inventions of Men in the H^or/hip of God, by Bilhop I^ing of Humane
of London-derry^ in Ireland '^ which in a furprizingMan-{'*^^'*^*'"'^
ner turns that Argument againft the Diflenters, which '"/^-'^/^'^
they had fo often ftrenuoufly urg'd againft the Eftablilh'd W ''/<?<«''
Church. The Parts of Worlhip this Author infifts on,
are Praifcs, Prayer, Hearing, bodily l^^orfhip, and the Ce-
lebration of the Holy Sacrament of the Body and Blood
of Chrift.

In the Praifes of God, he. fays, the Old and New
Teftament require the Ufe of the Pfalms, and allow
OS to fing or lay them. They recommend Pfalms and
Hymns in Profe ; and encourage us to offer our Praifes
hy Way of Refponfes, or Anfwering. They recom-
mend the Ufe of Mufical Inftruments, and require that
we underftand the Praifes we fing to God. The Efta-
bli(h*d Church appoints a number of Pfalms to be faid
or fung every Day, propofes them in Profe, and allows
the People to bear their Part in them, and permits the
Ufe of Mufical Inftruments, ^c .- Whereas the DilTen-
ters ufe not whole Pfalms, iing Gods Praife only in
Metre, rejefl Mufical Inftruments, and have no Re-
fponfes.

As to Prayers, he afferts that the Scripture dire<5l:s that
they Ihould be offered up in a fet and prepared Form of
^Words, and that it ihould befo, asto'ConfefHon, Sup-
plication, Interceflion, and Deprecation; That Holy
Men of God though full of Wifdom, and of his Spirit,
ixs'd the fame fet Form of Prayer always on the fame
Occafion : Our Saviour and his Apoftles pray'd by a
Form : And we have Examples in Scripture for joyning

Voices

542 Some Hijiorical AdclHions Chap. XVI II;

An. 1694. Voices in Prayer, and for Refponfes. And the Pradlice
of the Church is agreeable : "While among the Diflen*
ters, fome rcje(5l Forhis as ufelefs, others condemn
them as unlawful ; and all are againft thfe Peoples joyn-
ing their Voices with the Minifter.

As to Hcnring^ he fays that God has pofitively com-
manded us to read his Word in our PubJick Affemblies,
and this in the New Teftament is calfd Preaching..
This Publick reading the Word in Scripture Times was
managed with Solemnity, and an enlargement or Com-
ment was fometimes added. The Practice of the
Church is reprefented as agreeable : Whereas among
the Dilfenters, their Preachers, he fays, may choofe
what Part of Scripture they'l explain ; have no fumma-
ry of Principles injoyn'd to be either read or taught in
Publick Affembles, and have caft out the reading of the
Word of God from moft of their Meetings.

Bodily l4^or(hip, he declares to be pofitively command-
ed in Scripture, and conftanily and carefully Pra£lis'd,
and that hot only under the Old Teftament, but by our
Saviour and his Apoftles, and the Primitive Chriftians,
(^c. And the Church is very careful about it: While
the Diffenters, he fays, difallow bodily Woiftiip, and
iheir Pradlice is agreeable.

The Lords Supper ought to be frequently Celebrated,
and is fo in the Church; whereas he aflerts that among
the Dilfenters, there are no fet Times for the Admini-
stration of this Ordinance, and they never prefs People
to Communicate, ^c.

From hence he draws this general Conclufion, that
the Worlhip of the Church is very Scriptural, while
that of the Diffenters, neither agrees with Scripture
Precepts nor Patterns, and is according to Humane In-
vention. Mr. Boy/c diftindtly anfwer'd this Book, and
there were feveral Writings that paft between the Bi-
fliop and him wpon this Occalion. The Bifhop was
charg'd with mifreprefenting the Diffenters of his own
Diocefe : Though had they been as faulty as he repre-
fented them, no juft Argument could have been drawn
from thence againft the Body of the Diffenters in gene-
raj, who were univerfally ki>own to be free from feveral
of the Faulcs he charg'd them with. His Argument
did not ftrike much, and brought no great Credit to his
tfxvn Church, yor any difreputation to the Diffenters ift

gehC"

Hi I ■ ' ' '" ' ' ' "

Chap. XVIIl. afterthe Revolution in 1688. 543

general, who were better known to the World than to-4«. 1594.
him, if thofe that he publifh'd were the Notions of
them which he cntertainM.

Now alfo came out a Plea for Scripture Ordination 5 Mr.Owcn't
Or Ten Arguments from Scripture ana Antiquity ; pro- Defence of
ving Ordination by Presbyters, without Bifhops to be va- Fresbyteri-
lid ; By Mr, James Owen, in 8vo. an Ordlna--

His Aflertion, he States thus: ^'o».

That fuch oi are fet apart with Jmpofltion of Hands, for
the office of the Miniftry, by Gojpel Mmiflers, vpithout the
Jpecies of Church Officer s, who claim n fuperior Power over
Presbyters^ are regularly Ordain d^ and their Ordination zj
valid according to the Scriptures.

He proves it thus.

1 . Becaufe this Ordination hath all the Scripture re-
quifits, either in the Ordainers, the Ordained, or the
Circumftances of Ordination.

2. Becaufe we have Scripture Examples of fuch Or-
dination as theirs.

3. Becaufe Presbyters have as real a Power to Ordain,
as they have to Preach the Gofpel, to Baptize, and to
Adminifter the Lords Supper.

4. Becaufe this fore of Ordination is the fame
with the Ordinations in the Reformed Chuiches be-
yond Sea.

5. Becaufe it is better than the Ordination of the
Church of B^me, which is not contefted.

6. Ordination by Presbyters is therefore Valid,'
becaufe they have Power to impofe Hands in Or-
dination.

7. Becaufe among the Jews any one that was Ot^
dain d himfelf ^night Ordain another.

8. Becaufe Ordination by Presbyters is performed by
Perfons who have the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven
committed to them.

p. Becaufe Orders conferr'd by Presbyters, are con-
ferr d by fuch as are in Orders, and have the Power of
Order equally with the higheft Bifliop.

10. Becaufe Ordination by Presbyters was valid In
the Primitive Church.

Some Years after, the fame Author wrote a Defence
of Scripture Ordination^ againft the Exceptions of T. G ;
in which among other Things, he ihews that Timothy
and Titm were no Diocefan Rulers : That the Presby-
ters

544 Some Hifiorical Additiont Chap. XVIII.

Jtn. i6p4. ters of Ephefus were the Apoftles SuccefTors in the Go-
vernment of that Church, and not Timothy -. That the
Firft Epiftle to Timothy was written before the Meeting
at Miletus : And that the Ancient I4^alden{es had no Dio-
cefan Bifhops.
An. 1^95. This Year came out a Defence of the Archbifhops
jiDe fence of ^^"^^^^ On the Death of Her late Majefty ; and of the
the Archli- Scrmons of the iate Archbiiliop, Bilhop of Litchfield
/hops Vune- and Coventry^ Bi(hop of JE/y, Bilhop of Snlubury, Dr.
ral Sermon Sherlock^, Dr. Wak^e, Mr. Fleetwood^ &c. p reached upon
for the that and fcveral other Solemn Occafions ; Being a Vin-
S^en. dication of the late Queen, His prefenc Majefty, and
the Government from the malicious Afperfionscaft upon
them in Two late Pamphlets; One Entituled, I{ettiarl{s
on fome late Sermons^ &c. The other, A Letter to the
Author of a Sermon f reached at the Funeral of Her late Ma-
vfiy &"?^« Mary. The Clergy that fell in with the Go-
vernment were charg'd as aSting inconfiftently with their
former Principles and Pra^ices, 'Tis here declared, that
Paflive Obedience as cried up in the late Times, was
never the Doctrine of the Church of England^ though
it was given out as her Characfteriftick by a Party who
did arrogate that Title. *Twas faid, That all the Liberty
the Nation enjoys under this Blejfed ^volution, k a Liberty of
giving Seven or Bight Millions Tear after Tear^ and a Liberty
of loofing ai much more ; a Liberty of being fir ft made Poor^
and then famiflod and ftarvd^ a Liberty of having our
. Brethren and Countrymen fent into Foreign Countries to be
l^noclCd on the Head ; a Liberty of being fcornd by all Man^
l(indy as the mojl treacherous and perfidious Nation in the
4Vorld. And lall of aU^ a Liberty of being impove^-ifh* d be-
yond B^pair, and being ruind for ever j and that none can
foexv any Liberty befides as the direB and immediate Fruits
cf the {{evolution. Which was thus nobly Anfwer'd,

* We are now deliver'd ftom a Popilh King on the

* Throne, profelTed Jefuits, and other Papifts, in our

* Council, Parliament, Benches, Army, Fleet, and

* Univerfities; nor are we now in hazard of having a

* Suppofititious Heir of the Grown impos'd upon us, and

* Educated in the B^mi/h Communion, to the Ruin both

* of our Religion and Property. We are now at Li-
' berty, (and have done it accordingly in a good Mea-

* fure) to make fuch Laws, and take fuch other Methods

* as are moft proper to preferve us from fuch Dangers

' in

Chap. XVIIL after the Revolution in i6d^. 545

in Time to come. All Proteflants are now at Liberty An. 159 s.
to Worlhip God according as they are perfwaded in
their Confcience is rooft agreeable to his Will, with-
out fear of being ruin'd in their Perfons or Eftates, by
any Faction, prompted thereunto by the Court, or
without hazard of having any Party of Proteftants
joyn with Papifts, to overthrow the Church as by Law,
Eftablilh'd, that fo they may procure eafe to them-
felves. We are now delivered from having the Char-
ters of our Cities and Corporations feiz'd by quo TVar-
rantos^ Sheriffs impos'd, and Juries pack'd, to ruin
the Lives and Eftates of fuch as the Court pleas'd ;
and cut off the chief of our Proteftant Nobility, by,
wrefted Forms of Law. We are now delivered fronji
having the Throats of our Peers and Magiftrates cut,
and the Scandal of it thrown on themfelves: We are
now deliver*d from all Reftraints upon thofe who
have a Right to Vote for Members of Parliament,
and are in no fear of having a Court Faction impos'd
upon us as the Reprefentatives of the Nation, We
are now deliver'd from a Power of difpenfing with
Laws, and a Set of Judges and Ecclefiafticks, who
advancM the Kings Power above all Laws. We are
now aflur'd of a Priviledge of having a new Parlia-
ment once in Three Years : And we are now deliver'd
from all apprehenlions of the Courts joyning with
France to enflave us, or bringing in of French and Irifh
Papifts to endanger our Lives and Eftates. We are
now fecur'd againft the keeping up of a landing Ar-
my in Time of Peace, and have Liberty to enquire
which Way the Money of the Nation is fpent, and
to puniih thofe that mifpeod it. We are now deli- ^
ver'd from the fear of being invaded by our Neigh-
bours of Scotland^ where our late Princes had procured
an hdi of Parliament for a numerous Army, to over-
awe us into a compliance with the Deligns fet on foot
to bring in Popery and Slavery. We are now deli-
ver'd from all fear of loling the EngUfk and Proteftanc
Intereft in Ireland, by having the Government of thap
Kingdom put into the Hands of Irifh Papifts : And
we are alCo deliver'd fromt all Fears of an Invafion
from thence. We are now deliver'd from all Danger
of being engag'd in a War upon every trivial Occafton
with our Proteftant Allies, the Dutch i and being

N n * made

546 Some H'jftorical Addition. Chap. X VIII.

An. 1695.' made the inglorious and unhappy Tools of contribu-
' ting^to the Ruin of the Reformed Religion in Europe.

* We are now delivered from an illegal High Commifli-
' on, compos'd of Papifts and corrupt Proteftants, to
' Ruin our Church ard Univerfities. We are now de-

* liverM from Regulators 10 turn out fuch Magiftrates

* of Corporations, and Commiflioners of the Peace, as

* will no: agree ro repeal thofe Laws which fecure our
' Religion. We are now delivered from all Fear of

* having Papifts ro be our Ma'^iftrates and Legiilators ;
' or having our Nobility and Gentry profecuted as Cri-

* minals, for advifing not to obey the Orders of fuch
' Magiftrates. We are now delivered from having Mo-
' ney levied for the Ufe of the Crown, by pretence of

* Prerogative. We are now dehvered from exceflive
' Bails and Fines, and cruel unufual Punilhments: Noi
' arc our Reprefeniatives in Parliament now profecuted

* for freedom of Speech. Thefe are the diredl and im-

* mediate Fruits of the Revolution.

Whereas Archbi(hop Tihtfin was accus*d of turning
out Archbifljop Sancroft from his legal and rightful Poffeff'
on^ in a nicft viclenc and harhiHrcus Manner : 'Tis here
anfwer'd, that the whole Kingdom knows that the one
was legally turn'd out, and the other as legally put in, if
the Authority of King and Parliament may be accounted
Law. And that .^rchbifliop- ^nyicrcft was more fevcrely
dealt with for Peiitioning King James, than ever he was
for difowning King lV,iHayn : and Guilty of a greater
inconfiftency in his Pradices, than any could be faften'd
upon Archbilhop lilhtfon.

And it being faid, That all the M^orld vpoi fatisfied in
the Legitimacy of the Prince of Wales ; And that the
Kjr^g and Queen Jligmati:^d him ai fuppr'fititious, contrary
to their own Kjjo^edge ; An Anfwer is return'd in thefe
Words following:

' Does our Author think, that thofe fulfome Depofi-
' tions after the Prince of Grangers Dcfign was known,
' have convinc'd the World of that pretended Princes

* Legitimacy? Or does he think that fuch Evidence as

* that, Part whereof may be very confiftent v/ith an Im-

* poftiire, and the other Part fworn by fuch as had their
' dependence on the late King, and were known to

* have proftituted their Confciences to the Court, is
•, fufficicnt to fatisfie the World ? What Account can our

* Au-

Chap. XVIIL after t/je Revolfitiofi mi 688. 547

Author give, that there was not as much Pains takejl Ah. t6yi
to fatisfy the World of the Queens Pregnancy and
Birth, when if it had been real, ic might have beca
unconcrovertably prov'd by as unexceptionable Evi-
dence, as there was to prove the Birth afterwards?
Would it have been any Thing more inconHftent with
Majeftyi to have condefcended to give fatisfying Evi«
dence.of a Thing that was fo vehemently fufpecfled
beforehand, than to fabmit to give unfatisfa^^ory and
exceptionable Proof of it afterwards ? — Suppofe the
Queens Pride would not give Way to it, was She not
a Subject that could have been commanded by the King
Her Husband ? Or if He had been loth to thwart Her
in that Condition, might be not have had fuch Evi-
dence prefent at the Time of her Labour, without
Her previous Knowledge, as the Nation woiild have
given Credit to? Would it have been any Thing
more derogatory from Her Modefty to have been
brought to Bed before fuch Evidences as thefe, than
it was for an Emprefs to be deliver'd on a Stage, ini
the middle of a Camp, becaufe Her Pregnancy vl^as
fufpe£ted on Account of Her Years? What Reafort *
can be aflign d why the Examination of thdt Affair
was not fubmitted to the Parliament as the Prince of
Orange defir'd ? Why the Two Ladies, appbinted to
be Witnefles of the Birth by the Princefs ti _Denfhnrl{^
fhould not have been fent for, till the Time Was paft ?
Why the pretended Evidence, who were the mdft parti-
cular, (hould have been carried to Frnnce out of the reaclk
of Examination ? And how did the Princefs ftigmatize
Her Brother contrary to Her own Knowledge ? Was She
prefent at the Delivery, or had She any Deputies pre-
fent for Her ? Did this Author never read of QueerJ
Mar/s Defign to impofe upon the Nation, in likq
Manner, and on the fame Account, i;/V. to Entail
Popery upon us? And why fliould we think that Maryi
of Modenn was lefs Zealous for her Religion than Ma--
ry Tudor? Is there not a Cheat of the fame NatnreJ
and managed in the fame Manqer, mention'd in Sider--
fins Reports, Temp, Car, z. Fol. 377. of a Womaii
pi'etended to be deliver'd within Bed by a Midwife,
and yet the Impofture difcover'd afterwards by tbe
Deposition of the real Mother, and the faid Mid-
* ^if<^ ? Now what can our Author fay in Op|)6{Ition ta

N n 2 ' thefe

548 Some Hiflorical Additions Chap. XV III.

An. 16^'y,

Debates a-
h9ut the
Trinity.

thefe Prefumptions of a Cheat ? And why the Prince
and Princefs of Orange ought not to have- been fatis-
fy'd as to the fcruples about it? But inftead of that,
that the Principal Evidence (hould be carried whither
there cannot be any accefs to examine them ? The
chief Thing they have to fay, is the late King's own
Evidence ; but bcfides that he cannot be look'd on as
impartial in the Cafe; why Ihould we think that the
CijLuch of I{ome^ chat could Jifpenfe with His Coro-
nation Oath, by which he was obl.g'd to Govern ac-
cording to Law, and preferve the Church of England,
whereas he did plainly attempt the fubverfion of both ;
1 fay, why might not the Church of i^owe as well dif-
penfe with him to Swear falfly in this Cafe, as tO
break his Oath in the other, feeing both were for the
advantage of the Catholick Caufe? And yet that hi*
gotted Prince might think he was doing God good Ser-
vice all the while : For its very well known that the
breach of Faith, and the moft barbarous Murders and
Maflacres are efteem'd hallowed Means by the Church
of Home to accomphfli her wicked Ends. No Body
can doubt this, who has ever feen the Popes Chappel,
where the Freiwh Maflacre was reprefented, and the
Admiral thrown out of the Window with thefe Words
at bottom, Pcn^if^x Colinii necem pi chat: And indeed
the Prefent to the Lady of Loretto by the Queens Mo-
ther, and the Kitujs Pilgrimage to St. ^^inifrpcl*sWe\l,
to ulher in this Piegnancv, gives the Face of a ftudied
Popifh Cheat to the whole Affair, &c.
A new Parliament was call'd and met this Year. The
Affalfination Plot broke out, and made a great Noifc.
King William was to have been Murdcr'd, and an Inva-
sion was to have follow'd. King James came down to
Cala^ waiting for the Succefs of the Confpiracy, but
Providence again appear'd in our Favour. Mr. Pender^
grafi and Mr. De la Hjw made a full Difcovery ; and the
Parliament drew up an rijfociation, ordering it to be
Sign'd by all their Members: And fo the Government
v/as confiderably ftrengthen*d,by thap which was intend-
ed to overthrow it.

This Year arofc a great Conteft in the Church of
England about the Doctrine of the Trinity. Dr. Sherlock
wrote upon that Subjedt,-' and afferted Three diftinfi
Minds i and vif^s theteupon violently Attack'dby Dr.

Souths

Chap. XVIII. after the Revolution ini6^i. 549

South, and charged with having Three diftindt Gods. An. 169$.
And while one gharg'd the other with Tritheifm, he re-
torted upon bis Antagonift a Charge of SabelUanifm,
This made a great Noife, and many Pamphlets were
Written. One venting Dr. Sher locks Notions in a Ser-
mon before the Univerfity of Oxford^ was Cenfur'd,
and a Decree pafs'd in ihe Convocation of that Univer-
fity, condemning thofe Notions as contrary to the DoBrine
of the Cntholicl^ Church , nnd ejpecially to the DdBrine
of the Church of Enghnd puhlickjy receky^. His Majefty
therefore gave forth Injuntlions for Vnity in the Church :
Ordering that no other Daikrine concerning the Trinity
Should be dehver'd, than what was contain'd in Scrip-
ture, and agreeable to the Three CreedSj and the Thirty
nine Articles. Thac new Terms (hould be avoided :
And publick Oppofition between Preachers, and bitter
inve(4ives and fcurrilous Language againft any Perfons
whatfoever. And that the fame Care (hould be taken
hereof in Writing as in Preaching. The Archbilhop
alfo fent forth his Circular Letter,

Dated July the i6th, this Year, ^ It maybe feen at large, Compleat
containing many Rules and Or- H/Hcryo/Englandj^o/.^.p.yi^.
ders fit for general Obfervation ^.

The Diflfenters ftill continu'd their Dodtrinal Con- The Dlfen-
tentions. An Attempt was now made for a Reunion ^f|"^ /^'^
among them. There was an OflFer on one Side to re- ^''>''^«-
nounce Arminianifm^ if the other Side would but re-
nounce Antinomianifm ; h^^t it did

not fucceed. (i.) A little after, a (i) The Paper dra%pn ujf for
few particular Minifters of both *hU Purpofe, may he feen at
forts, privately drew up a Paper, Z^*"^^? '« *he Faithful Rebuke
with a Defign to ufe thdr Intereft to a ftlfe Report, p. 22. (2,)
to get both Sides to Sign it. (l.) f^^« '«'J^^^.(h ^eafn of v;hat
But this created new Heat?, inftead ^^^/'^/^ ^ Hd'^T^^- T'^ ''""

of extinguiihing the old ones. Some '"'^^y, ^^" ^ '!'' //^^^ ^^P^^'
,T ^ ^ c ■ J I • 1 J ^^y ^-^ /^^« '» the Report of

were Zealous for it, and complam d .^e Prefcuc State of the DifTe-
niuch that it was not accepted: fences in Doftiinals between
Others were as much againft it ; fome DifTenting Minifters in
and that among other Realons, be- London, pag. n. (3.) See Faith-
caufe it bore hard upon Mr. ff^»l//- ful Rebuke, ^. 28.
ams, (3.) And not long after, fol-
lowed an Attack upon his Reputation which was fo
peculiar, as fcarce to admit of any Precedent ; and was
fax from recommending the Diifenters as tp their Can-

Nn 3 do^

V,y.

55^ Some Hiftorhal Additions Chap. XVlll.

Jin. 1^55- dor or Cond'^cS^ to S:anders by. I enter not into Parti-
culars, one of unwiUingncfs to revive, what they thai
are Wile on all Sides had rather fliould remain bury*d
in Obhvion. I Ihall only fay that the Ends of fome
Perfons w^re not Anfwer'd. Afterwards a new Cla-
ir.our yva3 rais'd againft Mr. H^iUirtm.', as denying that
Change of Perfons between Chrift and Believers, that
^vas neceffary to the right Stating the Dodtrine of Satis-
faHio^ agiiinll the Scciuiatis. Upon this, Mr. H^illlams
wrote a Leti;er to Mr. '^ohn Humfrey giving his Senfe of
cV.at Matter: Aod Mr. Lob wrote another Letter to
X)t, Bates '^ argMing that either lAv, Williams Vf2is not
found in the Point before mentioned, or elfe the Dodior
bad not reprefented it rightly in bis Harmony^ Printed
many Years before. Mr. T/jomas Goodwin alfo, now
publiihM bis Difcouffe of the True Nature of the Gof-
fely which he would not allow to be a Lavo : But as it
£elJ out, the Church Party could not infult them with
any great Decency, fince they bad as warm Contefts
among thetti, upon another Head.
''^i. : ^ Several were this Year Executed for the Aflaflinaiion
plot, Cin which no Dillenter as I know of was ever
charg'd with being concern'd) and among the reft, Sir>
l^tlUafn Perk,ins and S'wjohn Friend; who at the Gal-
lows were Abfolv'd with Impofition of Hands, by
"Mr. Collier, Mr. Cook, and MT.Snatt, Three Non-iu-
v:or*. And the ArchbiQiops and all the Bifhops then in
Town, to ihe Number of Fourteen, publifli'd a Decla-
ration againft this Action of theirs, as extreamly info-
lent, and without Precedent in the Manner, and alto-
gether irregular in the Thing itfeif. And thefe Abfol-
vers were Prefented, and Indidted, and Imprifon'd,
but recciv'dno farther Puniihment, though one of them
puhlilh'd a Juftification of his Pradbice.

The Diffentcrs continued divided, and a Second, and
a Third Paper were drawn upin Order to theaccommo-^
dating Matters but in vain. It look'd as if the Creed ma-
king Age were again reviv'd. But where there is a Difr
portion to quarrel , 'tis an eafie Thing to find an
Occafion. Their Divifions were this Year relie£ted on
^ f'V^^ t)y Biftiop Stilliv'^fleet, in his Charge at a Vilitation ac
EccUjiafttr i^^jYQpjic^^ He thereupon Charges them as vciy defeSive
e^l Cafcs^ i« r/jc/r Difcipline'^. But had there been more Difci-
p 09 Voo M'^^ ^^ -^*^^ Eftabli(h*d Church, (of which they have
^* ^ " no.

Chap. XVIII. after the Revolution in 1688. 551

no great Occafion to make their boafts; this Accafation
might have been pnrfa'd with the more Grace. Mr. Lc-
rimer now publilhM his Remarks on Mr. Goodwins L>i(i
courfe of the Gofpei: In which he proves that the
Gofpel Covenant is a Law of Grace.

This Year the Peace was made at ^^fn:'icl[. There ^«. i6'p7.
were hot Debates about keeping up ftanding Forces af-
terwards : But they were foon over. The Commons
Addrefs'd the King for a Proclamation againft Pro-
pbanenefs and Immorality, which was accordingly pub-
iifh d. This (as our late Hiftorian

^ obferves) ^^4?;^ a new Z,fal to the ^ Compleat H'fiory o/England,
Pf^urt:hy Perfons who had engagdthem- VoL 3. p. 746.
felves in voluntary Societies for the j^e-

formation of Mnnners^ who had foon after^ their Publicly TheSodeties
Sermons and Affemblies at Bow Church ; (and he might/"** ^^/o*-
have added at S alters Hall too) to animate the goodH^ork,, mation.
This was indeed a Work that needed all Hands ; and
fince the Diffenters as readily gave their Afliftance in it
as any, by Meeting, Gonfulting, Contributing to the
Charge of it. Preaching, and giving Inform ations, C^c.
I don'i; fee why it flioold not be taken notice of.

The "War being now at an End Abroad, an ill Tern- i^ if enters
pet began too generally to appear at Home. The very ^rofeeuteii^
Libecty of the Diflenrers to Worlhip God in their own
"Way had all along been a Grievance to many : And
their bearing hard upon them at this Time in feveral
Inftances, where the A6t of Indulgence had not for-
mally relieved them, is an Evidence that if they did
not revive all the former Severities againft them,
'twas not for wane of good Will. Several at this
Time met with trouble for intruding Youth,
Among others, Mr. J cfhua Oldfield then Paftor of
a Congregation of Diffenters in Coventry^ who had
according to Law declared againft Popery^ and fub-
fcrib'd to the Dodrine of the Church of England con-
tained in its Eftablifh'd Articles^ who had alfo fworn
Allegiance to the Government, and Affociated for it,
was upon a fufpicion of his iaftrudtipg Youth in fome
fort of- Learning, cited on the 6tb of OHobsr this Year,
to appear in the Eccleiiaflical Court to be held at Co-
imtry on the i4th, for the 'Dioct{& oi Litchfield 2t.T\ci
Covrntry^. Where \ipon the Judges Charge of Teaching

' N n 4 with-

4

552 Some Hifiorjcal Additions Chap. XVIII.

Aft. i6^-j' without Licence, he demanded a Copy of the Libel or
Articles againft him ; but was put off, and forc'd to
attend again for it Twenty Miles off at Litchfield,
on the 26th. There he received a Libel ex Officio
for Teaching without Licence, and without Subfcrip-
tion to the whole Book of Common Prayer, and
Thirty nine Articles of the Church entire, contrary
to the 77th I Canon, though he was not fo much as
accus'd as deficient in any other Qualification requir'd
therein, or as chargeable with any other Crime what-
ever. His prcfent Anfwer was earneftly folicited by
the Judge • nor could he obtain a longer Time or nearer
Place for it than the Court Day following, Nov. 9. ac
Litchfield. He then anfwer'd by his Prodkor; and one
of his Family being occalionally Prefent, was by
the Judge himfelf terrify'd with the threatning of £jc-
tommuriicntion^ into ihej taking of an Oath to accufe the
Defendant, which be avoided by withdrawing him-
felf, before the Hour appointed for his Examination.
But coming to London, the Defendant at a confiderable
Expence obtain'd a Prohibition in Form, in the Court
of Kjngs Bench ^ by which the Profecution was ilopp'd.
I have here added a Copy of the Libel in the Margin
for the gratification of the Curious. *

The

* In Dei Noie Amen, nos Richardtn Raines, Miles Legu* Dr. Vicarius in
Spu'alibas gen'lis Reu'di in Cto Patris et dora' dom* Wmi perne Dia
Lichen* ct Covenn* Epi Curiaeque fure Cons Epalis Lichen' Oificialis Princ*
Itime fulcitus Tibi ^off)u£ Oldfidd de Civitate Coven' Lichen' & Coven*
Dioces' Alios Capitula five Interria fubfequen mei^a animne tuae falni mo-
rumquc Tuorum reformaconem et prxfertim pueroru Eniditionem fine
Lia in ea parte prius obtenta concernen* ex Officio nro ad promoconem
Jlath .Binckes]>[oiii Pubci Officii Dni Judicis promotoris neccflai' afl^gnaii
damus obmus & miniftramus, Urc.

I. Intris Tibi prefato JoflyuA Oldfield obmus et Ailamur Qiiod tu fcis,
fSrc. Qiiod oranes & finguli qui de et fuptr Criminibus Excdlibus aut de-
lid>is fidunt et funt Ciiminofi et Culpabilcs Juxta leges itatuta canones et
Confiituconcs Ecclicas in ea parte edit' ct provis' funt et ftint corrigend' et
punicnd' ct obmus et Ailamur coniij diviij et de quolet.

2. Item

Chap. XVllI. after the Revolution in i688. 555

The Defendant obtain'd a ftay of the Proceedings ^». 1697-
in the Ecclefiaftical Court, and brought up the Mat-
ter to be argu'd at the ^in^s Bench^ where it was de-
pending Three or Four Terms, to his great Trouble
and Charge. A Prohibition was at length obtain'd,
and was to have been folemnly Argu'd, but that the
Eccleliaftical Court thought fit to let the Caufe fall :
Not without intimation from his Majefty, (upon his
having the State of the Cafe laid before himj that
he was not pleased with fuch Profecutions. Mr. Frank-
land's Cafe was Parallel to this, only went much far-
ther, for he was Excommunicated : And feveral others
met with Trouble about this Time upon the like
Account.

2. Item Tibi prefato Joji}U£ Oldfield obmus et Arlamur Quod inter Ca-

nones et Conftitucones Ecclicas in eoru' robore exiften' et prefertim per 77

Canonem five Conftituconem Canonu' faft' in Synodo inchoat' Londini

Anno Dni 1603. inter alia Ordinatu' et Conflitutu' eft prouc fequitur,
vizt. No Man fhall Teach in Fublick School or Prhate Houfe but fuch as
fl}all be allowed by the Biff)op of the Vlocefe, or Ordinary of the "Place under
his Hand and Seal, being found meet as well for his Learning and Dexterity
in Teaching as for fober and honest Converfation^ and alfo for right Under-
fiandlng of Gods true Religion, jlnd alfo except he fl}all first fubfcribe
to the First and Third Articles aforementioned fimfly and to the two firji Clau-
fes of the Second Article. Prout per eund' Canonem ad quern nos referi-

mus et pro hie left' ec infert' heri vult et petit' pars ifta promovens quatus
fibi expedit plenius liquet et appareu et p'^ ut fupra.

3. Item Q^uod premiflis non obftantibus Menfibi^s Maij, e^c. et Martii
1^95. ac Martii, ^c. j6^6. Nee non Martii, ^c. tet Oftobris hociaftan'

et jam curren', Anno Dni 1597. Eorumve, ^c. Touthe faid Jofhua Old-
field have Taught in a FublicJi School, or in your own or fome other Prirate
Houfe^ Scituate in the City of Coventry within the Diocefe of Litchfield and
Coventry, without any Licence from, or allowance by the Bi^op of the Diocefe,
or Ordinary of the Place under his Hand and Seal 5 and without firji fubfcri-
hing to the Firft and Third Articles, and to the two Tirji Claufes of the Second
Article mentioned in the Canon fet forth in the Virfi Article of thefe Articles.

Et obmus et arlamiu: ut fupra.

4. Jter^ Quod rone premiflbru* Tu prefatus ^ofhua Oldfield in psenam

Juris Incidifti et obmus et Arlamur ut fupra.

5. Item Qiiod Tu prefatus yofhua Oldfield fuifti et es de Civitate Co-
ven'Lichen* et Coven' Dioces',^;^^.

'6. item Quod premiffa, &c.

Now

554 Some Hifioncrd Additions Chap. XVIIF.

An. 1697. Now came out the famous Letter to n Convocation'
^J B in- -^^w concerning the Rights, Powers, and Prix ''edges of

311. that Body. The Author declares, That ti^^ -/as a
Convocation ^his Time as great need of a Convocation as ?ver
ControyerfjAh^^^ was fincc Chriftianity was eftablifh'd ir. ihisK ng-
dom. He reprefents the Danger from the Sociniirjs,
and other Sabverters of the Catholick Faith : Pleads,
the Infufficiency of the Epifcopal Power and Jarifdi-
dtlon, and of the Authority of the Univerfitief, to give
a fuita'^le Reaiedy ; and intimates, that the Parlia-
ment s meddling would not be fo proper. He afferts,
that a Cmvocatfcn is as much a. Part of the Conftitution^
as a Parliament it/elf. He complains of the difufe of it,
and the defeating the Ends of it, by repeated unwar-
rantable Adjournments during the Life of the laft Me-
tropolitan. He puts the King in Mind of his Corona-
tion Oath to prefeive the Rights of the Church of Eng-
land intiie; and infinuates that the Church of England
might exped: from him, as tender a Concern for her
Welfare and Interefts, as that of Scotland had had, by
means of General AjfcmblieSf often convened. He re-
prefents a Convocation as a Spiritual Parliament, and
the Lower Houfe of it he calls the Commons Spi-
ritual : And fays, That ths !\ing is intrufted with the
Power of convening Synods and Con'vocations^ in ^fpeB to
the Churchy as he is with fummoniyjg Parliaments for the
^edrefs of Grievances^ and the Puhlick^ Safety of the Na-
"tion, in the fnme Manner^ and under the fame Limita-
tions. He pleads that a Writ ought to be iffu'd for a.
Convocation, whenloever a Summons goes out for a
ParJiament ; and in Proof hereof, he (among other
7 hiiigs ) urges a Ciaufe in the ancient Writ whereby
the Bilhops were fummon'd to Parliament, which was a
Premonition or Warning they were required to give to
their Deans and Chapters, Archdeacons, and the
Clergy of their Diocefes, about their Prefence in Par-
liament, in Order to form a Lower Houfe of Convo-
cation. He affirms alfo that a Convocation when fum-
mon d and met, is at Liberty to. confer and treat about
Matters proper to their Cognisance. He argues a-
gainft the Need of a Licence to treat and debate : And
alferis that the Convocation has a Power of proceeding
againft any Bilhop, Prieft, or Deacon, for Herefy or
Schifmj or any other Spiritual Oflfence.that is not re-

ftiain'd

Ghap. XVIll. after the Revoluthn in j6S8. 555

ftrain'd by any Adtof Parliament whatfoever : And tha: An. 1^97.
their Canons need not a Parliamentary Confirimation,
provided they do not impugn Common Law, Statutes,
Cuftoms, or Prerogative. Here began a Conteft which
is not yet come to an End, and it is nor eafy to fay
when it will.

An Anfwer to this Letter was foon publifh'd by
Dr. I4^akf^ cntituled, The Authority of Chriftian Princes
over their Ecclefiapical Synods, in ^vo ; and dedicated
to the Archbilhop of Canterbury, He charges the Au-
thor of the Letter, with fome farther Defign in pub-
lifhing it, than barely to aCfert the Rights of the Clergy
and Convocation. He begins with confidering the
^ght of a Convocation to meet and fit ; and takes a
Compafs, becaufe the Matter tho* important had not
been fo well confider'd as it deferv'd. He afferts that
Chriftian Princes have a right not only to exercife Au-
thority over Eccleliaftical Perfons, but to interpofe in ^- !©•
ordering Ecclefiaftical Affairs too. One great Part of
this Authority, has confifted in the Power to convene
Synods, and order what relates to their Aflembiing and
Ading. It was always a Part of the Princes Preroga-
tive, that no Societies fhould be incorporated, nor P. 13.
Companies meet without his Pertniffion. The iincienc 14.

Synods were conven'd by the Imperial Authority. It
was fo as to the greater Councils and leffer Synods. No
AflTemblies of the Clergy were fuflfer'd, but by the leave
of the Emperors, and according to their Diredtion.
And what Power the Emperors heretofore laid claim
to in the whole Empire, the fame fucceeding Princes
have continu'd to aflert, within their own particular
Dominions. 'Twas thus in Spain^ Germnny^ France^ 8<c.
This Author obferves, That when the Civil Magiftrate
advifed with the Clergy about calling a Synod, it was
not look'd upon as a Matter of Right ; and that he of- ^* 3°°
ten caird Synods together without fuch Advice: That
when the Bifliops have defir'd a Council earneftly, and
it has been refafed by the Magiftrate, they have fub-
mitted, and not reckon d they had a Right to meet
without Leave .- Nor were the ftated Provincial
Councils held without their Leave, or againft their p. 3<»,
Confent. And when a Synod was refolved on, the
Prince determined or allow'd. Time and Place of
meeting : And alfo appointed what Perfons Ihould come
£0 them, - -- "When

556 Some Hiftorjcal Additions Chap. XVIH.

An. 1697- When Synods are aflembled, he afferts that the Civil

p. ^^. Magiftrate has a Right to prefcribe the Matters on

which they are to debate .- And alfo the Manner and

p. 55. &c. Method of their Proceedings in them : And if he

pleafes ; to fit in them and prefide over thenj, or ap-

P. 64. point his Coromiflioner to do it in his ftead : That
they cannot difiblve themfelves, and depart from fuch

i*- 'j6. Council till he gives them a Licence .- And thai
their Definitions are no farther Obligatory, than as

p. 7p. ratified and confirmed by the Civil Authority. For
he declares, the Prince is not oblig'd to confine
whatfoever the Clergy fhall think fie to determine ;
that he muft be allow'd a Power of annulling and
rejecfting what they have done, if it appears hurtful
and unjuft ; to annul Part and confirm Part if he fees
good ; and to alter or improve it, to add to, or take
from it ; and that the Prince has this Power over the
judicial Determinations of his Synods, as well as over
their Canonical Refolutions. He proves from Hiftory
of Times paft, that thus it has been all along ; And
declares that thefe Priviledges belong to the Ghriftian
Magiftrate as fuch : And therefore that every Sove-
reign Prince, has a Right to exercife this Authority
ivithin bis Dominions ; and the Kings of England a-
mong the reft.

p. 08. He farther affcrts, That by our own Conftitution,
the King of Englnnd has all that Power over an Eng-
lijh Convocation, that ever any Chriftian Prince had
over his Synods. He has Authority to call the Clergy
together in Convocation, to appoint the Time and
Place of their meeting, and who fnall come to it; nor
are they to fit or aci, but when and as often as he thinks
fit ; which has commonly been to give Money, after
which they have been difmifs'd. A Convocation has
been call'd with the Parliament, becaufe it has been
ufed to give Money with it; But the Clergy now not
afleffing dicmfelves, it were no great Matter whether
they had a Right to be fommon'd or no. '
P. 108. When they are met they cant confer, or make Ca-
nons without the King's Licence. They may delibe-
rate of what might ufefuHy be confidered, but mayn*t
proceed to any Canonical Debates or Rcfolotions about
any Thing, but according to his Special Dirediion. An-
ciently they were won t to judge of Hcrefy in Convo^^

catioa

Chap.XVIlL after the Revolution in i6S8, 557

Cation: But then 'twas not fo much the Convocation An. i6^j,
that judg'd, as the Archbilhop in Convocation; and
that with the King's Leave j who may prohibit in
fuch Cafes, or receive an Appeal, and Confirm, Suf-
pend, or Annul Sentence as he finds to be teafonable.
They cannot break up at Pleafure, but muft continue to
fit, as long as the King fhall think fit to require them fo
to do : Nor can they execute any Canons without the
Royal Aflent 5 nor indeed with it, can they execute
any Canons againft the Prerogative of the King, the
Common or Statute Law, or againft any Cuftom of
the Realm.

After this, he gives an Hiftcrical Dedudion of the
Stare of the Convocation, from the firft Convcrfion of
of the Saxons to our own Days ; And then in Oppofi- p, 147,52c.
tion to the Author of the Letter, he denies the inhe-
rent Authority of the Church to make Synodical Au-
thoritative Definitions, He denies, chat the fitting of
Convocations is any of the Rights of the Church ( un-
lefs by accident ) and much more its chief Right. He
aflerts that its fafer for them to ad: in Convocation un-
der the King's Direction, than at the Motion of every
warm unthinking Member of their own Body. It is
(fays he) more than prohahle that had not the Prince a
Tie upon us^ we Jhould before this Time have run our felves
into yet VQorfer Divifions than we now labour under ; and
in all Appearance have expos' d both our felves and the
Church, for a H^ey to the common Enemy of both. He de-
clares himfelf not fatisfied that the Convocation is o£
the fame Power with regard to the Church, that the
Parliament is, in refpedt of the State : And afleits z.
greater Need of frequent Parliaments, than of frequent
Convocations. He fays, That were it ftill the princi-
pal Bufinefs of a Convocation ( as heretofore ) to give
Money to the Government, inftead of a Vindication
of its Right to fit, we Ihould rather have feen a Com-
plaint againft the Charge and Trouble of it. He
aflerts that the Convocation now debated of, is fum-
mon'd by another Sort of Writ than that which here-
tofore came together by Vertue of the Pramonition^ ^c, p. 284^
to the Bifliop, and that it eonfifts of another Sort of
Perfons, and is quite another Thing : And that the
25th of Hemy VIIL has reftot'd the Crown to its
Royal Authority, and put the Power of diredling the

~ Con-

558 Some Hifiorical Additions Chap. XVIIL

An. 1697. Convocation into the King's Hands, where it ought to
be. This ( he fays ) is the Senfe of that Statute that
has univerfally obtain'd, and been confirm'd by con-
ftant Practice ; and been acquiefc'd in, by thofe whofe
Intereft it was to have declared againft this Senfe of it.
For no Convocation fmce this Adt, has ever refus'd the
King's Licence when fent, or protefted againft it, or
venturM to proceed ro confer, deliberate, and make Ca-
nons, without it. He pjcads that the King might keep
his Coronation-Oath^ and that Mn^na Charta might be
as facredly obferv*d, as any one could wifti it ihouid be,
tho' the Clergy be not allowed all that unre;ifonabIe Li-

P 30^ berty which fome Men plead for on their Behalf. He
charges the Author of the Letter with AAing, as if
he intended rather to refledt upon the Adminiftration
of Affairs, and to raife Difcontents in Men's Minds a-
gainft the Government, than to do any Service either to
Religion or the Church.

P. ^06. He pleads that Synods may in fome Cafes be ufelefs,
and fometimes hurtful ; and are not to be call'd toge-
ther, when their Meeting is likely to turn to the Pre-
judice of the Church. As for Libertines^ he fays 'tis
ridiculous to think that all the Synods in the World
Ihould ever be able to perfwade them. They that are
not to be reftrained by what has been already deter-
mined in Mattets of Faith, will much lefs regard any
new DeciGons that can be made againft them. He adds,
•That the King might as well affemble his Parliament
to try a Thief or Felon, as his Convocation to con*
vidl a Man of Herefy or Schifm. Where Difcipline is
defedtive, a Convocarion may be needful to confider a
Remedy: But (fays this Author) I am afraid our
Diftemper is become too great to be healed : And that
we are uncapable of fuch a Difcipline, as, above all
Things, we the oioft want. And he adds, Worn Mens
Paffions are let loofe^ and their Minds diforderd: When
their Interefts and Defigns^ their Friends and their PartseSy
nay, their very Judgments and Principles ^ lead them different
IVays ; and they agree in nothing fo much as in being very
Peevifh and Angry with one another : Pf^jen their very I{ea-
fon is deprav^dy and they judge not according to Truth or
Evidence, but with refpeh of Perfons ; and every one cppofet
what another of a different Perfwafion either moves or ap-
proves of: What Good can the Prince propofe to bimfelf^

0r

Chap.XVIIl. after the Revolution tniG'^^. 559

or any wife Man hope for ^ from any Affembly that can bs An. 16^ j,
brought together, under the unhappy Influence of thefe, and
the ii!{r Prepojfeffions ?

Tho* the Author declares himfelf very fenfible of the p. 320.
Loofenefs of Men's Principles and Pra&ces, yet he in-
timates he is perfwaded that fhould a Convocation meet
to reprefs it, under prefent Gircumftances, it would on-
ly expofe its own Authority, and our Religion, to the
greater Contempt of Profane and Wicked Men. He
declares he fees no need of the meeting of a Convoca-
tion againft Scepticifm, Deifm, Atheifm, or Soci-
nianifm, or any Attempts for an Univerfal Toleration;
or whatUfe it would be of in any of thefe Refpe(^s:
He argues upon the Point of declaring thofe Hereticks,
that had departed from the common Doctrine ; (hews
how likely the Convocation would be to fly into Heats
and Parties, and afier all do nothing but expofe them-
felves, and goes on faying ; PVhilft Pride and Peevi/h'
nefs^ Hatred and lU-will, Divifions and Difcontents, pre^
vail among thofe who fhould teach and ccrreEt others ; and
inftead of improving a true Spiy^t of Piety and Purity^
Love and Charity^ Peaceabl^nefs and Humility ^ we mind
little elfe hut our fever al Inter efis, and Quarrels^ and Con*
tentions with one another, what H^onder if we fee but little
Succefs of our jMiniJiry^ and are but little regarded up07i the
yiccount of it : And he concludes with this Obfervarion,
That the only Way to deal with fame Perfons, is to treat:
them as they deferve : And to let them kriow, that thofe are
unworthy the ProteBion of the Government, who are em-
bar J^d in an Interefl different from it ; and refufe to contri-
bute to the Neceffities of it.

This was foon anfwer'd by a Book calFd Municipium
Ecclejzaflicum ; or the Rights Liberties and Authorities
of the Chriftian Church : AlTerted againft all oppreflive
DocSrines and Conftitutions. The Author feems fur-
priz'd, thatfuch a Man as the Doftor (hould appear in
fuch a Caufe. He charges him with Erajlian Divinity,
He reprefents his Principle as woife than that of the In-
dependents, becaufe it has no Authority but humane
Prudence at the Bottom. Tells him, that if he fhould
preach up his Maxims but on the other Side Tweed, they
would quickly bring him to the Stool of Repentance.
He complains of his Scheme, where the Prince is of a
different Religion from the People. But this Author

lays

560 Some Hifioricd Addithnt Ghap. X VIII.

>iff. i^pT-laysthe Grounds of Synodical Auihority in a Divine
Charter ; and calls the Dodior's an mjlaving Hypothefis^
charging it with breaking in upon a Divine Right.
He is very angry that the Doctor fhould look upon Sy-
nods but as prudential Clubs. He fays the Clergy only
are the poor, tame, difpinted, drowlle Body, that are
in love with their own Fetters ; And complains that the
Powers of the Church are chain'd down to mere Poli-
tick Ends and Services. He wonders how a Claim of
an opprellivc Supremacy, can be deem'd a glorious
Jewel in a Chriftian Crown, which if exercifed, muft
of NeceiTity forfeit the King's Salvation ! and asks if
it is not a dangerous CoiTiplaifance in Priefts, to fann
fuch an Ambition, as muft end in the Ruin of the
Church, the Pricfthood, and the Soul of the Prince ?
To the DoAor's Examples as to the Power of the Jewifh
Kings, B^man Emperors, and other Princes, and par-
ticularly Saxons^ he fays they prove no Right : And is
concern'd, that every Adt of uncontroulable Tyranny,
fhould pafs with the Dodior under the Reputation of
Authority. He charges the DoAor with uling his gene-
rous Adverfary, not only with extream Spight, but un-
deferv'd Contempt : And with being guilty of a great
many Incongruities : And at laft concludes with a
Wilh, that he might humble himfelf to God for the
Wrongs he had done to the Church, and when he has
done fo, he doubts not but he would quickly endeavour
' to make her Reparation.

Dr. HeSter alfo this Year publifli'd a Treatife concern-
ing Schifm and Schifmntickj^ wherein the chief Grounds
and Principles of a late Separation from the Church of
England are conlider'd and anfwer'd. He fays Men feem
to be hard put to it to find a Caufe of Separation, when
Proteftanrs are forcM to take up old confuted Popery, to
ground it upon. If they had never fo juft a State Quar-
rel on the Account of a Popilh Prince, one would think
they fliould fcarcely part with the Principles of their
own Religion for the fake of him.

The Diffenters ft ill continu'd divided, and that to
fuch a Degree, that they could no longer keep their
Differences private among themfelvcs, but publifhed an
Account of them to the World ; as if they were '
afraid to feem to be united, when the Church of Eng-
land was in fo divided a State. Now came out a Export

of

Chap. XVIII. after the Revolution in 1688. 561

of the prefent State of the Differences in DcBrinais, be- An. 16^-}*

iween fome Diflenting Minifters in London, written by

Mr. Lohh, It was anfwer'd in a faithful ^bti^e to a

falfe I{eporr, Written by Mr. y^lfop. And now alfo cdme

out, The ^ighteonfnefs of God revealed in the Gofpel -y ot

an impartial Inquiry into the genuine DoSrine of

St. Pauly in the Great, but much controverted Article

of Jufiification ; by Mr. John Humphrey ■ prefaced by

the Biftiops of £/>-, PVarceJier^ and Chcfter,

This Year Sit Humphrey Edwin who was i DilTenter, rhe Ciii
being Lord Mayor of London, carried the B^galia with Sword car*
him to a Mfeeting of DilTenters at P inner s-HalL This rled to a
Fac^ had unhappy Confequences both in this and the Difentin^
next Reign; and many were the Exclamations and^ee^'wg;.
Tragical Complaints which it raifed. Among others
Dr. N/c/f;o/j tells the World* That

to the great reproach of the Lnvps^ i- « , ^ ^ ^ •:

nnd cfthc Cit, Magiftracy, he tar- a„ I t';^,ol!" '

ried the Sword with him to a Nafly o- F-
Conventicle, that was kept in one of the
City Halls : Which horrid Crime t t Atrox f acinus.
( fays he ) one of his own Party de-
fended, by giving this arrogant ^eafon for it, that by thii
A^ of Parliament by which they have their Liberty, their
Religion was as much efiablifhed as ours„ But many who
wifli'd thi^ Action had been wav'd, a^ tending to en-
rage, were yet to feek for the Horridnefs of the Crime :
Nor could they fee the great Arrogance of the Plea;
when the I{eligion that is own'd in Churches and
Meetings, is one and the fame. A Pamphlet was alfo
now publifti'd, called. An Enquiry into the Occnjio-.
nnl Conformity of Diffenters in Cafes of Preferment • of
which little Notice was taken at this Time : But it
was Republifh'd in 1701, when it will in Courfe fall
under Confideration.

This Year there was a new Parliament ; but they AH. i6§d:
did not meddle with Matters of Religion, tho* they
had a Committee for Religion as ufually.

The old Differences yet continu d among the Diffen-
ters about Dodfcrinal Matters. There now came ouc
4. Defence of the Report concerning the prefent State of
the Differences in DoQrinals, between fome Diffenting
Minifiers in London, in Reply to a Book intituled, A
fMful Rebuke of that I{eport : And it Was foon followed

O o v^kU

56r Some Hijiorical Addition. Chap,XVin.

jtn. 1 6^1 8- with <J Vindication of the fdithfut I{ebuke to a falfe Report,
agni?i/i th: rude Cavils of the pretended Defence : And
that alfo was follow'd with a Pamphlet, entitul'd, A
View c) an EccUjiafticl\ in his Seeks and Buskins : Or a
j'ttfi Reprimand given to Mr, Alfop, for his Foppifh, Pe-
dantickf DetraHive, and Petulant I4^ay of fVriting, He
that will be at the Pains to read over what was pub-
lifh'd upon tins Occahon, will fee Giufe to pity the
Diflenrers, wlio pelted one another with hard Names,
and fevere Refledtiojis : And if they themfelves will
review them, it might be a Warning to them for the
future, to leave off Contention before it be meddled
with. At length came out Mr. Lobbs Appeal to the
Biihop of fyotcejicr, and Dr. Jonathan Edwards, about
the Controverfy between him and Mr. HMiams : And
the Congregational Minifters about the City, publi(h*d
a Declaration againft the Antimmian Errors.
the Conyo- Neither was the Church of England now free from
cation Con- Contentions. For Dr. IVake publifli'd an Appeal to aU
troyerfycon- the true Members of the Church of England, in behalf of
tinu'd. the Kjngs Ecclejhftic.il Supremacy^ as by Law Eftabli(h*d,
by our Convocations approved ; and by our moft emi-
nent Bifhops and Clergymen ftated and defended : And
dedicated it as he did his tormer Book to the Archbifliop
oiCantcrtury.

He feems furpriz'd to find himfelf charged, as if in
defending the Authoricy of the Prince, he bad betray 'd
. the Rights of the Church : This he reprefents as an
Evidence that Tome Men s Refeniments are as much
beyond Modelty, as they are without Reafon. He
fays, the Princss Authority was both the Means by
which the Reformation was carried on, and the Ground
on which it was jultified : and that he hardly knew
any Author of the Church of England till now, that pre-
tended the Rights of the Church were infring'd by it:
And that all Clergymen of the Church of England have
Iblemnly declared their Aflent to it, and are oblig d to
their Power to maintain it. He wonders that the
Church of Englnnd (hould be reprefented as in a perfe-
cuted State, and having been fo ever fince the%forwjd-
tion ; and not fo much as a protected Church till the
Ad of the Submiflion of the Clergy is repeal'd.

He

Chap. XVtlL after the RevolHtion l*t 1 688. 565

He here fhews the Senfe of the Church of Englnud An, 1598^
ever fince the Reformation, as to the Aurhority of
Chriftiaa_ Princes over the Ecclefiartical Synods of their
Realms. He begins with the Ad: of SubmilTionj
25 Henry VIII. C. 19, which continu'd in Force in the
Time of Edwa)-d Vf, arid was^ reviv'd t Eli^, An
Oath was fram'd in Recognition of this Supremacy^ and
enjoin'd to be, taken by ail Officers and Miriifters Ec-
clefiaftical and Temporal. The 37th Article of tlie
Church agrees with this Oath ; and fo do the Canons
of 1603. And the moft learned Divines and other,
Writers, ever fince have concurr*d. He cites fori
Proof, the Inpitiition of a Chriftian Man ; King Henrj]^
DecUrdtion againfl the Council cf Mantua j The Lehcn
^/ Tonftal /irtd Stokelly to CdrdjnaJ?oole; Queen EI,i;zajr'
bfeth'j InfunBions ; and her l^Tfhops in tlieir Articles. ; Here.
he particularly cites, Archbilhop ^;zV^/y>, Archbifliop
Bancroft, Biih'op jev^el, Bifhop J^lljfori^ Deatt- Notp^/;
Mr. Hoo\er : King James ; Bi(hop' Andrevos^ Mr. Mafonl
King Charles' f. Archbilhop Ldud, Arcfabifhop Bramhalf^
Bilhop Dkijefjdnt, Dr. Heyli'n, Nor did the Parlianienc
or Gonvocatioti after King Charles II. Reftauration,
( tho* zealous enough for the Church) think the
Church was at all opprefs'd, by the legal Jurifdi(9:iori
of the Prince over it. Nay, the moft eminent Divines,
defended th^ Supremacy upon the Legal Bottom, as
Bilhop Taylor and others; and among the reft Bilhop Par".
kfr ; Tyt'. Fa'f(ner^ and Dr. Barrovp.

He aflerts, That 'tis the Riglic of every. Chriftian
King' to call hi? Clergy together; that the Perfons tbac
meet in onr Convocations are determin'd by the King's.
Writ.- And that tHe Sovereign Legiflative Authd-;-
rity' may appoint any other Method of framing the
Lower Houfe of Convocation ( than that which is novv
ufual ) that ihould appear to them more propter and c-k^
piediem, ^c. And adds, That if for thus defending
the iQng* s' Authority over the Clergy he ought to he cenfur d^
he was afraid fo great a Part of his Order would go along
wi^ hifH^ as vtfould mah it fcandalous to (lay behind:
And be nufnbsr^d among that little^ "^oify^ turbulent Party ^
who fet tbemfelves up as Judges over them, - And that he
was fully perfwaded that nothing at this Day prefervd
thefh from I{Uin and Deflation^ but their not having Power
ofthemfelvss to do the Church a Mifchief^ and to throw all

O 6 i into

564 Some Hi florical Additions Ciiap. XVlll.

into Confufioriy in fuch Times of Fnciion and Difcontent, of
Hetits and Animofities as the prejcnt 9 to the certain Scan-
dal and Divifion of the Church y it may be to a new Con-
fltfion of all Things in tie State too.
Ai» 16^9. Mr. Hill wrote an Anfwer to this Afpeal^ and it
would have been a long Time before any Convocation
had bceen fimmond, if the Government had ftaid,
'till they could have agreed what they had a Right to
do, when they came together, before a Writ was iffu'd
out for that Purpoie.

In the Seihon of Parliament this Year, it was com-
plain'd of in the Houfe of Commons, that many
Perfons dilfenting from the Church of England^ and
Men of fmall Fortunes, were made Juftices of the
Peace ; Which occafioned an Addrefs of that Houfe to
hisMajefty. And great Complaints alfo were made of
the growth of Popery. An Addrefs was alfo made to
the King, for a Proclamation againft Vice and Im-
morality, which was iflliedoutac-
-, , , /. • T cordingly : And a Circular Let-

r , '^'S-a ^Tt:'^ a ^er to promote Reformation, was
rHif 1 ."^r ^'^ ^^"^ ^y^^ Arcbbilhop of Canters

' t' i/ * ijf^yy^ to all the Bifliops of his Pro-

vince *.
The DilTcnters at length began to grow more cool
«nd calm. A Book was now printed, intituled, A
Plea for Mr, Baxter, and thofe that fpcak^ of the Suffer^
, ings of Chriji as he does : And Mr. fViHiams publi(h*d
an End to Difcord. And fome Time after (•y^*^. the
next Year, tho' I Ihall mention it here, that I may
have no Occafion to return to thefe Matters again )
came out a Difcourfe of the Bifhop of H-orcefters^ con-
cerning the Dotlrine of Chrifi's SatisfaHlon : Wherein
the Antinomian and Sociman Controverfies about it are
truly dated and explained; in Anfwer to Mr. Lobb's
Appeal, and to feveral Letters from the Diflcnting Par-
ties in London. The Bifhop very candidly gives an Ac-
count what he eftecm'd Truth, and what Error, in the
Matters that had been debated, and upon wluc
Grounds: But intimates he cotild fee no Occafion for To
much Heat : and concludes, there muft be fomethin^
farthei in the Matter^ than afpenr'd to an indifferent and
impartial I{eader; which he would not inquire into ;
no more (hall I : But as it is Matter of great Lamen-
tation

Chap. XVIII. after the Revolution in 1 688. 565

cation that they (hould fpend the Reign of fucb a An. idpp*
Prince as King William in Party Quarrels; fo it is to
be hop'd, the Scnfeofcheill Confequences that attend-
ed their fo doing, will be a Caution for the Future.

The Bilhop of Sarum^ who feme Years before had The Bifhop
publifti'd his Difcourfe of the Pnfloral Care, and dedi- of Sarum'i
cated it to the Queen, at this Time publilh'd his Expo- ^xpofition
fition. of the Thirty Nine Articles of the Church of England, °/^''f 2"^"'-
which he dedicated to the King. Several of the Cler- ^Jf ^'nejit^
gy were not a little incenfed againft him for the Free- ^^*
dom he had ufed in his former Performance. For he
there told the Queen in his Dedication^ what need there
was of a Reformation of the Lives and Manners of
Men, and particularly of the Clergy : And in his pre-
face, he fpeaks of the grofs Ignorance of fome in Otders,
or that pretend to them ; and the Infcniiblcnefs of o-
thers of the extent of their Office, while they ima-
gine their whole Work conlifts in Publick Fundkions,
and the Paftoral Care is generally neglc(3:ed ; and ma-
ny confirm'd in Atheifm and a difhelief of Reveal'd
Religion, by obferving the common Want of that ftrift-
nefs of Life in Perfons confecrated to the facred Mini-
ftry, which their Character calls for. And he applies
to them the Words of the Prophets, Malachi 2. 7, 8, 9.
and fer, 10. 21. And he adds, it is not our boaftingthnp
the Church of England // the heft Reformed, and the be(l
conftituted Church in the H^orld, that voill fignify much to
convince others . We are too much parties to be beleivd
in out ovon Caufe. There was a Generation of Men that
cried. The Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the
Lord, as loud as voe can cry^ The Church of England^
the Church of England^ when yet by their Sins they were
pulling it down,' and kjndiing that Eire which confumedit.
It will have a better Grace to fee others boafl of our Church,
from what they obferve inus,^ than for us to be crying it up
with our Words, when our Deeds do decry it. Our Ene-
mies will makefevere Inferences from them^ and our Pre-
tenjioris mil be tho't vain and impudent Things^ as long as
our Live/ oontradi^i them. Such Paffages as thefe in the
Preface, with fome warrai and fevere Reflediions upon
feveral common Pra£ti(cs of the Clergy in the Book ii
felf, had exafperated many of them to a great Degree ^
and the Publication of this his Expofition of the Articled
laifed it to f^ha'pit<;h,Ehatitcould not longbefmotbec'd;

Oo i " I^

566 Some Hifioricd Additions Chap. XVlll.

An. i6p9. In the Dcdicatiqn of it, he tells King l^^iilUm ih^t h^
VVo)\x9as not y^t done, nor his Glory compient^ till he bnd
employ d thar ?o-vtr which God had put into his Hnndi^ in
Jupporting and Jecuring the Churchy in thehfiatitjg down In-
fidelity hnd Impisty^ in the hcfAJvg the H^ounds and Breaches
ihar are made among thofe voho do iji common pyofefs the
Faith y but are unhr^ppily disjointed and divided by feme
Difjercfices that are of lejs Importance : And above all
Thhigs^ in the raijhig the Power and Ejjicacy of I{eligion,
hy a juitable J^formationof our Lives and Marmers. And
adds, hcvD low fo ever all our Hopes are either of raifmg the
Power cf I{eligion^ or of unititig thofe whoprofefs it, yet we
hr.ve ofteti beeji taught to defpair of nothing that is once UN"
dsrtahen by pur Mnjejiy. In his Preface he intimates,
xhac he was mov'd to undertake the Work by Arch-
h'i(hop Tillotfon, and encourag'd by Queen Mary ^ that
he had the Concurrence of Bilhop Stillingiieet, and the
Appijobation of feveral Bifhops : And that vyhen he
was t^.ifcourfing with a Lutheran Divine in Germany
about their want of Union in thofe Parrs, he reminded
tiin of the Divllions in England, about much fmaller
Alatcei;s that had continued fo long ; declaring that if
the Church of England would heal her own Breaches,
the reit of the Reformed Churches would with great
Refpedv admit of her Mediation to heal theirs : Which
C wiib many other Things in the Body of the Book
that were no Way to the Guft of fuch as tho't the
. Church of England to approach the Borders of Perfe-
ction) he recommended to the Condderation of the
O'^i'gy. Thefe Things fo incenfed fome againft him,
that forgetting all his paA Service to the Church, they
bid him open Defiance, and could find no room for
Forgivenefs, as wc Ihall fee in the Sequel.

Now alfo came out a Difcourfe cf Schifm : addrefs'd to
thofe Diffenters who conform'd before the Toleration,
and haveiince withdrawn themfclvesfrom the Commu-
nion of the 6/j«?c/jc)/£«^//?«^: By Mt. Biirfcough : But it
Xiras anfwered by Mi.Stoddon^a. Minifter in the fameGoun-
try. About this Time alfo came out a Book of another
Nature, call'd Catholicifm without Popery : An Eflay to
render the Church of England, a Means and a Pattern of
Union to the Chriftian World : Written by a Gentle-
man of the Long-Robe. The Author in his Preface
ktisuics that his Difcourfe was prefented in Manu-

fcripc

Chap. XVIir. after the Revolution in 1 688. 567

fcript to Her late Majefty about the Year 1691, and
was now publifli'd not to inflame our Differences, buc
compofe them by promoting C/fW/cZ/w ; in Order to
which it makes fome Rational and Scriptural Over-
tures.

In July this Year the Duke of G/o«Cff/?fr died, which the ^n. lyoo.
King took Notice of in his firft Speech to his new Par-
liament, iho^Fehruary following : Telling them that the
Dukes Death, made it abfolutely necelTary that there
fliould be a farther Provifion for the Succellion to the
Crown in the Proteftant Line, after him and the Prin-
cefs : And an Adb pafs'd accordingly, by which the
Crown was fecled, on the Princcfs Sophia, Ejeclorefs
Dowager of Hanover^ and the Heirs of her Body, be-
ing Proteftants : And none were more thankful to God
for this Settlement than the DifTenters.

The Conteft about the iitting, and the Power of a Con- Dr. Atter-
vocation was continu'd this Year : Nay, it rofe to a great- hnry's
cr height. For now came out Dr. Atterburys F(ightj, nights^
Powers, and Priviledges of an Englilh Convocation Stated jPowers^ajul
and Vindicated^ in Anfwet to Dr* IVake, He dedicates ^^i'^Hed^es
it to the Two Archbilhops : And tells them he has no ^ *'^,
fhadow of Doubt remaining with him, but that his^"§^^^.
Scheme is Truth and will ftand. In his Preface, he^'""'"''^'''^'
fays, that he found Dr. iVak/s Book of the Authority of ^
Chriftian Princes, 8cc. a fhallow empty Performance,
Written without any Knowledge of our Conftitution,
any fkill in the particular Subje6l of Debate ; upon fuch
Principles, as are defl-rudiive of ail our Civil as v/eli as
Ecclefiaftical Liberiies; and with fuch Afperdons on
the Clergy both Dead and Living, as were no lefs inju-
rious to the Body than his OoSrine. He declares he
found it abfolutely neccjffary to fay lomething in Defence
of the Churches Rights, or to lit down contentedly un-
der the lofs of them: And that he was intirely acSted by
Love to Truth, and pulh'd on by an hearty Concern for
the Interefts of Religion and of his Order, and by an
eager defire of doing fome what towards the fupportin^
the good old Conftitution he liv'd under, which Dr.
tifake both in Church and State endeavour'd to under-
mine. He charges the Dr. v/ith liberally cafting flights
and reproaches upon his own Order, when it had the
ill luck to come in his Way ; Nay, he fays his whole
Perforcaance is nothing more than a Series of long^ flac^
^' ■•■■■■ ' ' O o 4 ■ m-

568 Some Hifiorical Additions Chap. XVIIL

;^». J 700 impertinent Accounts, attended with fuitable Refled:i-
ons; but without one wile Word fpcken, or true Stroke
ftruck in behalf of his Point, from the beginning of
the Book to the end of ir.

Convocations or Provincial Synods, he fays, have been
held frequently from the very beginning of Chriftianity.
The Authoritative Part of thefe Meetings was composed
of the Biftiops and Presbyters. They met Twice a
Year, and needed no leave. In thefe AlTemblies the
Gravamina Cleric or Artictdi B^formatioriK were conftant-
3y expedled from the Lower Houfe. A Convocation
of the Province of Canterbury^ is an attendant upon a
Parliament of England, The Clergy were brought t(S
Parliament by the Pramunientcs Claufe. But in Procefs
of Time, by a miftake in their Folitichj, they were fe-
parated from the Parliament, and yet ftill continud to
attend it, in Two Provincial Aflemblies or Convoca-
tions : Which as they meet for the fame Purpofe, and
had the fame Reafons of State inferted into their Writs
of Summons as the Parliament hid, fo did they keep
clofely up to the Forms and Rules, and Manner of Sit»
ting and Ading, pracftis'din Parliament; and they had
Parliamentary Wages, and Parliamentary Ptiviledges ;
and attended the Parliament as one of the Three States
of the Realm. But he declares he's not for fetting up a
pica for any old Priviledges and Preheminences of the
Clergy which are long lince dead and buried, and which
• he thinks ought never to be revived, even for the fake of
the Clergy themfelves, who have thriven beft always
under a competency of Povpcr^ and moderate Pretences,
Thefe Parliamentary Convocations, he fays, came into
rhe room of Provincial Councils. But this Author
aflerts, that the Clergy have not only a Right to meeq
and fit in Convocation, as often as a new Parliamenc
Sits, but a Right alfo (when met) of treating and de-
liberating about fuch Affairs as lie within their proper
Sphere, and of coming to fit Refolutions upon them,
without being necefTitated antecedently to qualifie
themfelves for foch Adks and Debates, by a Licence un-
der the Broad Seal of England. He takes a great deal
of Pains about the Statute of 15 H. 8. c. 19. which
was the A61 of Submiflion ;( and puts fuch a Senfe upon
it, as at length to conclude, that as to all Gonvocational
A£l8 previous to the pafling, or decreeing a Canon, the

Clergx

t Chap.XVllI. after the RevolutioH in i68S. 569

Clergy have juft the fame Right to them lince this Sta- An. 1700-
tuce, as they had before it. Though they cant make and
attempt a Canon, yet they may Ipeak the Senfe of the
whole Clergy of the Kingdom in Matters proper for
* them to intermeddle in : They may Petition, Advifc,
Addrefs, Reprefent, give their Judgment where it may
be defir'd, or their Cenfures either of Men or Books
where it may be needful : And fuggeft the fitteft Me-
thods of fecuring the Chrifkian Faith, and ©f preventing
the revival of old Herefies and Errors, and the growth
of new Ones.

He charges Dr. Pf^ake with taking a great deaj of
needlefs Pains to prove what was not contefted 5 vi:(^
that Princes have an Ecclefiaftical Supremacy. And
with infifting moftly upon general Councils, while the
Debate turns on Provincial Synods only : And in the
few Hiftorical Fadts the Dr. mentions that feem proper,
he fays, He either miftakes National Synods for Pro-
vincial, or extraordinary Aflemblics for ftated Ones,
or conceals fome Circumftances that would give an Ac-
count how the Royal Power came fo particularly 10 in-
terpofe. He fays, the Dr. does not diftinguilh between
the Powrers in FaBt exercis'd by Princes, andthofeof
KJghr belonging to them, by Vertue of their Office:
And that he confounds the Princes Power of propofin^
a SubjecSfc of Debate to his Synods, with his Power of
confining them to Debate of nothing but juft what he
propofes. And he adds, that thofe very A(5ts of Au-
thority, which were exercifed by Princes in Ecclefiafti-
cal Matters, to fupport the Churches Power, are by
Dr. ^. perverfely made ufe of to undermine and deftroy
it. He intimates, That with the H^^riters in this Argu^
ment it has been a fafhion all along to difguije Truth, He
fays, Dr. W. makes no DiftincStion between abfolute and
limited Princes, but produces the A6ls of the one to ju-
ftify the Exercife of a like Power in the other ; And
that he does not duly diftinguifli between the King in
Parliament, and the King out of Parliament, and fo
confounds the Executive and the Legiflativc Part of our
Conftitution ; thofe Powers in which the Crown is Ar-
bitrary, and thofe in which it is purely Minifterial.

He alTcrts that the Prcemunientes in the Bifliops Writ
is not an idle ufelefs Claufe, inferted only on a particu-
lar Occaiionj and continued by Accident, .but a real and
^ . ' ' - effectual

570 Some Hi ftorical Additions Chap. XVIIL

jln. 1700. effedaal Summons of the Clergy to Parliament ; fucb as
they heretofore made formal Returns to, as ofiefi ^s ic
went out, and did exprefly obey : And of th's ne gver
Inftances till the Time of Hen y the 8th : n -
dertakes to prove, that the Writ to the 1 w ■* .-■■
10 <?onvene the Clergy of their Provinces,
does not exprefly mention a Parliament, vet has . a-
mediate relv^rencc to it : The Original Defign o' us
ifluingout, together with the Bifliops Writ, being nnly
to fecure an Obedieijce to the Premunitory Clmfe of
it, and- to make the Clergies Parliamentary Attendance
* ihe more full and cercaiii.

After having difcour/d largely of the Right cf the
Clergy to Meet and A<^ in Convocation, he touches on
the need of luch Meetings, that (he may preferve her
Kighc: And promifes di&indly to inlift on ic here-
after.

Through the whole he is not only very liberal in his
Invedives againft Dr, I'P'al^e, fince Bilhop of Lincoln^
but free iii his Cenfures on Dr> Nicholfon fince Bifliop ot
Carlifle, whom he calls a littk Writer^ and Taxes with
grofs overfights, if not wilful Faults ; And with great
feverity falls on the Biftiop of Sarum for many miftakes
in his Hiliof y of the Reformation, and his forwardnefs
upon all OccafioRS to bear hard upon the Clergy. He
difcovcrs a mighty Zeal to fupport the finkjng Interests of
Religion nnd the Clergy : And appears concem'd for the
. Reputation of his Order even in Popilh Times, but
efpecially in the prefent State of Things. And though
it Teems pretty natural to him to be free with all thag
come in bis Way, lie yet declares, the utmoft readinefs.
to do right to nnj injured Per/on^ l.t his Character he vphat
it vpill-y and that he abhors the thought of falling in with
a Calmuny knovoingly^ let it be nez'cr Jo Popular and Faflji-
CTjahle : And he thanks God that there u not a Line in hii
iVork, that can reproach him with the Guilt either cf Flattery
or Defjgn.
The Ei/I)op The Bifiiop of Sarum did not think it proper to keep
of Saium'5{ilence,butfoon fern ^onhhisl{efle^ionj upon this Perfor-
Refieflions. mance. He fays,Tibj^ tbbugh the Author pretended to plead the
Caufe of the Church, which is indeed the Caufe of ChrUt
himfclfy yet he had fo intirely laid afide the Spirit of ■
Chrift, and the Charaiters] of 4 Chrijlian^ that without'
large allow anGes of Charity ^ one can hardly thinly that he^

dil

Chap. XVlll. after the Revolution in i688. 57 1

4id once refieB on the Obligations he lay under to foUoxv the An. 1700,
Humility^ the Meeknefi, And the gentlenefi of Chnft -. So far
from that, he feems to have forgot the common Decencies of a
Man or of a Scholar. He fays, a Book^ writ with that
Youghnefi and acrimony of Sfirit, if well receivd^ would be
a much itronger Argument againft the expediency of a Con-
vocation, than any he brings or can bring for it. Such Pra-
ciices^ be fays, do effiHually cbJiruH the frogrefi of ^eli^
gion^ while an Age that w too much foffef^d againft both
m and cur Holy Faith, fails not to make a very wicked Vfe
of all thofe advantages with which Ambitious or ill natur^d
T'yealots furnifh them; to reprefent m to the World as a
Company of ajpiring and fa&ious Men, who are ready to
Sacrifice every Thing to our own Humours and Notions^ not
co^Jjdering how much Religion itfelf Juffers by the manage-
tnent. He confejfes that where it lay in hit Way, either as
a Hiftorian or as a Divine, to acknowledge ftich Corruptions
and Diforders among the Clergy, as were too vifible to be de-
nied, and too grofi to be extenuated or excus'd, he thought it
became him to Write honeftly and impartially. He fays he
knows that nothing pleafes fome, but what tends to
encreafe the Wealth, and raife the Authority of the
Clergy; Whereas, others who are juftly fenfible of the
cJepreiiloa of Holy Fundiions, chufe rather to fet about
thofe Methods by which the Church v/as at firft efta-
bliihed, protected, and provided for.

He fays that a Convocation cannot be call'd a true
Reprefentative of the Church, though it be now a Legal
one. In that for Canterbury there are Twenty Deans or
more that pretend to fit there ; as many Prodtors frona
Chapters, and Sixty Archdeacons, and but Thirty eight
Clatks chofen by the Clergy. So that the Deans and Chap-
ters who had their Authority at firft by Papal Bulls, and
have now their Exeniptions and Jurifdidtions continu'd
to them only by a Provifo in the Statute of 25 Hen. 8.
have more Iritereft in the Convocation than the whole
Body of the Clergy. He declares that for above 1 40
Years the Crown has been in Poffeflion of a Right of
making ufc of a Convocation, or of fetling Matters of
Religion without it, at Difcreiion, and that this is
founded upon a Statute that has been underftood at
leaft by Divines and Lawyers in favour of the Prince :
And therefore it argues the Fruitfulnefs of a Mans Ima-
gination^ who could make fo great a Book, and fuch

heavy

5 72 Some Hijiorical Additions Chap. XVI II.

Ait. lyco. heavy Complaints, for no other Caufc but this. He
modeftly defends his Hiftory of the Reformation, inti-
mates the Difadvantage he was under in drawing up
the firft Part of it, (ignifies his readinefs to amend any
real Miftakes, and his hearty Wiihes that another Spirit
might prevail. But after all, a Convocation was this
Year fumniond, andffate, and much fuch a Spirit ap-
peared wirhin Doors, as the Writings publilh'd about
that Controverfy difcover'd without. The Convoca-
tion met with the New Parliament.
^ Coyoca- A late Author here obferves * That the Convocation
tion now in the Beginning of King H^iHiam's Reign, difcovering
Tnet, and an Averfion to the Scheme that was prepar'd for them,
fate. was prorogued, And that afterwards^ a new Convocation

*Compieat "^^^f^^^ond with everyl Parliament^ and in being with it ^
Hi/iory of ^"^ that for want of proper Bufwefs it was continued and pro-
England, ^ogued by the^refident and left always in a Capacity and {{ea^
Vol. 5. dinels to come together^ upon any Exigence of Church or State
fa^. 797. that reguird their Counfel orAJJiftance^tho* noJuchExigence
did happen for fever al Tears together. What was thus de-
fignd for the Eafe of the Clergy^ in not obliging them to a
fruitlefs §nd expenfive Jit tendance, when there was no Oc
cafionto juftify their Ahfence from the Duty of their CureSy
did by Degrees give an Handle of Complaint. Murmurs of
[{eflraint avd Hardfhip were privately fomented among
thofe of the Cle,gy who were Non-Jurors. Thefe Difcontents
unhappily mov'd the Letter Clergy, to raife new Difputes of
'PriviUdge and Independence on the Archbifhop, and Bi-
/hops in Convocation ; and to labour to bring t hem fe Ives to
be fuch a Spiritual Houfe of Commons, as if their Preten-
fifins could prevail, would very much endanger the Peace of
ChwchandState.XJndcr this Difpolition the Convocation
met, on Feb. 10. Dr. H^ley Dean of Chichefier preach'd
the Latin Sermon. The Archbiihop in a Latin Speech
admonifii'd the Lower Clergy to choofe a Prolocutor, a-
gainft the z 1 ft InlJant. They chofe Dr. Hooper, who was
prefented, approv'd, and tonfirm'd. On February 25.
when the Archbifliop's Schedule of Prorogation was fent
down to the Lower Houfe, which was legally to de-
termine every Seflion, they in Contempt of it conti-
nued fitting, and proceeded in fome Debates of no Mo-
ment : After which the Ifrolocutor intimated an Ad-»
journment by Confent of the Houfe, to meet again in
^lenry VII. Cbappel, inftcad of the Prorogi^tion tq;

meet

Chap. XVIII. after the Revolution in 1 68S. 573

meet in the Jerufahm Chamber, as by the Schedule, -^. 1 700.
which exprefly included the whole Body of the Con-
vocation, and left no Pretence to feparate Adjourn-
ments in either Houfe. The Archbilhop and a far
greater Part of his Suffragans looked on this Proceed-
ing of the Lower Houfe as a Declaration of feccing up
for a feparate Intereft and Power, that would break
the Union of a Provincial Synod, and prevent the
good Correfpondence of both Houfes, and fo fruftrare
the connmon Methods of doing any Buiinefs. In the
Fourth Seflion, February 18, the Prolocutor and Clergy
did not attend the Archbilhop and Bifhops in the Sy-
nodlczl^lice, the Jerufalem Chamber ; which was inter-
pretied to be a fecond Contempt of the Authority of the
Prefident, and the Obligation of his Inftrument, the
Schedule proroguing and continuing the whole Body of
Prelates and Clergy.

The Archbilhop fent for the Prolocutor, and with the
Confent of his Brethren putthefe two Queftions to him :
I. Whether the Lower Houfe of Convocation did fir»
after they were prorogued by his Grace on the 25 th In-
ftant? 2. Whether they did meet this Morning with-
out attending in this Place, to which they were pro-
rogued. Upon fome Difcourfe the Prolocutor faid.
That the Lower Houfe was preparing fomewhat to lay
before bis Grace and the Upper Houfe, concerning the
Methods of Prorogation, and fome other Things of
Form. The Archbilhop anfwer'd, that he and his Bre-
thren were ready to receive,whatfoever Ihould be offered
by them, and would confider of it, and do upon it what
(hould appear to them to be juft and right : But in
the mean Time he and his Brethren tho't fit to conti-
nue the ufual Pra£tife. Accordingly, that the Fhrafe
of Proroguing in hunc locum might admit of noDifpute,
it was in the Schedule of this Day exprefty fpecified,
in hung locum vulgo vocai JerufaiemChtimber : To which
the Lower Houfe fubmited with a Salvo Jure. And at
the next Seflion March 6th, the Prolocutor with feve-
ral Members, attended the Archbilhop and Bifliops in
the Jerufalem Chamber ; and being foon difmifled, went
to their own Houfe, from whence in a little Time they
carried up a Report of a Committee appointed to
Search the Convocation Books, for Dire<^ions con-
cerning the Prorogations of their Houfe. The Repore
was thus: i. We

5 74 ^^^^ HijiorJcal Addithns Chap. X VIH.

An. lyco. I. We find chat the common Ufage of t^is Houfe
has been to continue fitting, till the Prolocutor did Pro-
rogue or Adjourn, or intimate the Adjournment or Pro-
rogation thereof, cither perfonally or by fome Member
of this Houfe, thereunto deputed by him : And* in both
thefe Cafes (as we conceivej with the Confcnt of this
Houfe. And we alfo find by fome Inftances, that this
Houfe did not always Prorogue and Adjourn ta the
fame Day with the Upper Houfe. . vr».' > boo

2. We find the like common Ufage by this Houf<^
to have been, that when in the Upper Houfe the Con-
vocation was Prorogn d or- Adjourn'd, by the Words
in hunc locum^ this Houfe did meet apart from the fame,
at the fame particular Place v^hete it Sate lail.' And
when the Convocation was Prorogued or A^ljournM td
fome other general Place, w":^. St. Fauh and Lambeth^
then alfo this Houfe did affemble in a feparaie Place,
difiind:ly from their Lord fhips. And farther, we find
no foorfteps of Evidence to conclude, that it was ever
the PraAice of this Houfe to attend their Lord(hips be-
fore this Houfe did meet and fit, purfuant to their for-
mer Adjournment. But wbeh this Houfe hath firft met
and fit, it hath been the conftant Pradkice to attend
their Lordihips with Bufinefs of their own Motion, or
when they were calPd up to their Lordihips by a fpe-
cial MeiTenger.

This Paper was ordred by the Archbifhop to be read,
.though it was Intitled, A H^fort of the Commifte^ and
did not run in the Name of the Houfe as it Ihould have
done; and then referred the Examination of it to a
Committee of Biihops. In the mean while the Arch-
bifhop deliver'd to the Prolocutor the Form of an hum-
ble Addrefl to his Mn]efty, atid propos'd to him the Con-
fent of the Lower Houfe, which was given without
Amendment, only they propos'd it might be [{e formed
Churches inf^ead of I^eformed B^ligiort: And with the
Alteration of that Word, it was prefented to His Ma-
jefly, on March i otb, by the Atchbifliop. It contain'd
Thanks to His Majefty for his conftant Protediion and
Favour to the Church of England-^ an Acknowledgment
of his Pious Concern for the Reformed Churches in
General, and an AfTurance of their f^edfall Fidelity and
Affection, and readinefs to Maintain the Supremacy as
felled by Law, G?c: And they wetc gracioufly receiv'd

by

^ Ghap. XVIIl. afterthe RevolHtionin i6SS. 575

by the King. He thank'd them for their Promifes of ^». 1700.
maintaining, his Supreiinacy according to Law ; beyond
which be atfur'd them he would never extend k.

On M'tvr.y 20th, the Prolocutor brought up a ^epre-
fentation from the Lower Houfe, with refpecft to Books
lately publiih'd againft the Truth of the Chriftian Re-
ligion. It contain'd feveral l^ff/oZ-uej of a Committee of
their Houfe, with tefpedl to a Book Entitled, Chrifii-
anity not Myjieriom, which (\n Conjunction with feme
other Books) they reprefent^d as of pernicious Princi-
ples, and of dangerous Confequencc; and pray'd for
the Advice and Dire£l:ions of their LordiTiips of the
Upper Houfe, about an efFecftaal Courfe to fiipprefs fuch
Books. And on March ii. The Archbifhbp producing
a certain Book, Entitied^^ Ballance of Fcv^er, 8cc. In
the 40th Page of which were thefe Words ; Are not tt
great many of us able to point out to feveral Perfons^ mhcm
nothing hcis recommended to Places of hig^heH: Trtiif^ and ■

often to r/c^ BENEFICES ^W DIGNITIES,
hut the open Enmity which they have nlmoftfrom their Cradles^
prof eft to the Divinity ofChrifi: It was agreed that a Paper
fliould be fixM over feveral Doors in I4^eftminjier Abbcy^
intimating that it was defir''d by the faid 4rchbifhop and
Bifhops, that the Author himfelf^ whoever he was-, or any one
cf the great many to whom he refers^ would point out to
the particular perfins^.ivhom he or they l{new to be liable to
that Charge^ that they might be pr^oceed^d againji in a judi-
cial iVay • which would be eftcem'd a great Service to the
Church : Qtberwife the abovemention d Paffage muji be looh^d

upon as a PUBL ICK SC AN D A L. And it was
Sign'd at bottom T/Jo.'T/i/o/.

Dr. Nichols ^ gives this (horc Account of this Convo- * Appa-
cation. They colledked and read feveral Books Written rat. ad
againft the Orthodox Faith, and noted down their Er- Defenf. Ec-
rors, and wanted nothing but the Kings leave to pafs cles. An-
their Cenfures upon them, ^nd condemn ihem; and togHc./'. io$»
ftrengthcn the Church with new Canons. Some com-
plain d as warmly of Bilhop Burnets Expolition of the
Thirty nine Articles, as of the Writings of Atheifts
and Deifts. But all being at laft tir'd out with waiting
feveral Months to no purpofc, without a Royal Licence
to proceed to Bufinefs, the Archbiiliop prorogu'd them
to, the firft of May. The lower Houfe was fo difpleas'd
with this Piorogation that by their own Authority they

Ad-

5 7^ Some Hifiorical Additioni Chap. X VIII;

An. 1700. Adjournd to tbe next Day, and then to another Day,
The Bilhops looking upon this as an ill Precedent, and
tending to tbe Diminution of their Authority, were for
having nothing to do with the Lower Houfe, till they
had given the Reafons of thefe their Proceedings. And
thus there arofe a new Concroverfie between the Two
Houfes of Convocation, about the Right of Proroga-
tion, which Controverfie was hotly agitated. They
who were for the Archbiihops Right appealM to Prece-
dents for many Years paft, as far as the Regifters re-
main d. And they who were for the Right of the Lower
Houfe, defended themfelves with Two Precedents in
the Time of Archbilhop Laud ; adding, that more In-
ftances might have been produc'd, if the Regifters had
not been loft. And about this Matter they contended
with as much eagcrnefs, as if the whole of their Reli-i
gion had been depending.
An. 1 70 1. The Partition Treaty novj occafion'd great Debates.
In September this Year King James died at St. Germains
in France^ above Twelve Years after his Exile, and af-
ter frequent unfuccefsful Attempts for a Reftoration.
After his Death the King of France declar'd for the
pretended Prince of Walei. King William highly re-
fenced it, and fo did the whole Nation. A new Par-
liament was call'd. The King made a very AfFedling
Speech to them, that will hardly ever be forgotten.
Ill only tranfcribe one Paftage:

" hzt Me Conjure Tou to difafpoint the only Hopes of our

*' Enemies^ by Tour Vnanimity. I have floewv, and xt>iU

** always fheWy hdvp defirous I am to he the Common Father

** of aU my People : Do Tou in like manner lay afide Parties

'* and Divifionsi Let there be no other DiJiinHion heard

*' of among Vs for the Future^ but of thofe voho are for the

** Protefiant B^ligion and the prefent Efiabli/hment, and

*' of thofe voho mean a Popifh Prit.ce and a French Go-

" vernment, ^

_, , ^. At this Time was Printed an Enquiry into the Occafl-

niivr of the ^*^^ Conformity of Dijj enters tnCaJes of Preferment. 1 be

Grand Be- Author repiefcnts it as a moft reproachful Thing, for

bate about Pcrfons to have fuch prepofterous Confciences as 10 be-

Occ^fionarlieve one Way of Worfhip to be Right, and yet ferve

Confer- God another Way themfelves. By Conforming (fays

mity. he) I deny my Diflfent to be lawful ; or by my Diflent-

ing I damn my Conforming as finful. Several Opini*

ons

Chap. XVIIL after the Rcvohth^ in 1688. 577

ons may at the fan^c Time confift in a Country, in 2^ An. 170!-
City, in a Family, but not in one Fierfon. Either the
Conformift will mar the DifiTenter, or the DifTenter will
'mar the Conformift. He prefix d a Preface to Mr. How^,
(becaufe the Worthy Perfon tvho was then Lord Mayor
i:^^ London was of his Congregation) and defires and urges
him, either to defend rhis Pradice of Occafional Con-
formity, or declare againft it ; Icaft the World fliould
ijelieve that Diflenters allow'd themfelves in what they
could not defend.

Mr. Bovo; publiill'd a fmall Pamphlet in return to this
publick Challenge, and Entitled it, Some Confide rat ion of
a Preface to an Eitquiry concerning the Occafional Confor-
rnity, &c. He tells the Prefacer that he for a long Time
had had an habitual averfion in his own Mind froni
perplexing himfelf or difturbing others, by being con-
cern d in agitating the Controverlies that have been on
foot about the Circumftantials of Religion, That he
had contented himfelf by the beft Means he could be
furnilh*d with, and the befl Ufe God enabled him to
make of them, fo far to form and fettle his own Judge-
ment as was necelfary to his own Pradlice : That he had
faithfully followed his Judgment, and abftain d in the
mean Time from cenfuring others who took a different
Way from him. That he was fenlible every one inuft
give Account of himfelf to God : And that it is a great
Confolation to fuch as fincerely fear God, that if with
upright Minds, they principally ftudy to Approve them-
felves to him ; and if they miftakc, do only err for fear
of erring ; he will not with feverity Animadvert upon
the Infirmity of a Weak, and meerly mifguided Jndge-
menr; And that it is a fure Truth, worth all this.
World, that to an honeft unbyaft Heart *tis afar eafier
Thing to pleafe God than Men. That they that con-
tend fervently, and conclude politively, concerning
Church Power, ^c. ofterk difcover more confidence
than Knowledge, and folid Judgment, and much oft-
ner little of the Spirit of Chrift and the Gofpel. i

He farther tells the Prefncer, that before he had offer'd
at engaging him in this Quarrel, he ought to have been
well allur'd that he really did concern himfelf to advife
one Way or other, as to the lawfulnefs or unlawfulnefs of
that Occafional Conformity, about which he contended ;
Qs at leaft that he ought to have done fo : But that not

P p being'

573 Sof^c tirjiorjcal Additions Chap. XVllI.

An. 1 70 1, being able to make either of thefe appear, he had been
Guilty of an Affectation of intermedling beyond any
Call he had, that could lead him to it.

Hefignifiesto Mr. Prefacer^ That he had pretended
tc Judge in a Matter he had nothing to do with; and
that he had taken upon him to invade the Throne of
the moft High, in charging the Worthy Perfon referr'd
to, with ading againft his Confcience. He tells him,
that before he concluded that with fo rafh Confidence,
he ought to have been able to prove the Adt in its Cir-
cumftance unlawful. And his making ufe of that Text,
2bout fellow ivg God or Baal^ as if the God of the Dif-
fenters and of the Eftablifh'd Church difFer'd as the Li-
ting God and Baal^ he tells him was prophane and im-
pious Wit.

He adds, That the Perfon by him Criminated, might
notwiihftanding any Thing be had faid, be in the Right ;
But that if the Prefacers Judgment upon the Cafe was
true, he conceiv'd that that Truth, accompany 'd with
his Temper of Spirit, was much worle than the others
Error.

The I{eply in a Letter to Mr. Howe is warm,
and charges Him with miftaking the Perfon, Tem-
per, Profellion , and Intention of the Author of
the Enquiry ; and with fome angry Reflediions drops
the Debate.

It muft be own'd it was wilh'd by feveral of both
Sides at that Time, that Mr. Howe might have bee;j
• prevail'd with to have enter'd into the Merits of the
Caufe ; and had he forefcen what foUow'd foon after,
'tis uot very unlikely but he might ha\e then done it:
But he not thinking it fo proper as Circumftanccs then
ftood, I Ihall here lubjoin a Leitcr which be wrote fome
Time /after to a Perfon of Rank and Figure upon that
Subject ; which may perhaps be a gratification to the
Curious.

j1 Lei^

>

ai— ■■■ I ■— ■■ -■■..■.■I wL-w II. ■ ^' I — ■ I ■■!■■■■■ i ■■» I — „i ■■ I .„^ ,. —■■I. 1 1

Chap. XVHI. after the Kevolntioft in i6?>'8, 579

A». i7oii
A Lettsr to a Perfon of Ho?70ur^ partly reprefent-
hig the Rrfe of Occafional Conforjnitj, partly
the Senfe of the pre fen t Non-Conformifts, ahont
their yet continuing Differences from the Efta^
blifli'd Church. _

My Lordif
'* '^IS well known to fuch as have underftood the a letieref
-■- *' State of Religion in this Kingdom, fince Mr.Howe^s

* the beginning of the Reformation, that there have ^pon that:
'been very different Sentiments about the Degrees of ^«^;e<fT.

* that Reformation itfelf. Some have judg'd the
Church, with u^, fo infufficiehdy Reformed, as to

* want, as yet^ the very Being of a true Chriftian
Church ; and wherewith they therefore thought it

' unlawful to have any Communion at all. Of whom

* many, thereupon, in the feveral Siicceflive Reigns,
^ withdrew themfelves into Foreign Parts, for the En-
' joyment of the Liberty of fuch Worlhip, as they
' judg'd more agreeable to the Word of God.

*' There have been alfo no inconfiderable Numbers^
' in former, and latter Times, that, though not entire-
' ly farisfy'd with our Reformation, were lefs fevere

* in their Judgment concerning the Gdriftitution and

* Pradice of the Eftablilh'd Church, /. e. did not judge
' its Reformation fo defedlive, that they might ftot
' Communicate at all with it ; nor fo compleat, but
' that they ought alfo to covet a Communion, more
^ ftridly agreeable to the Holy Scripture; and accord-
' ingly apprehended themfelves to lye Under a twofold
' Obligadon of Confcience in reference hereto.

'" I . Not, by anv Means, totally to cut themfelves
' off, on the one Hand, from the Communion of the
' Eftablilh'd Church, in which they found greater and
' more momentous Things to be approved of and em-
' brac'd, with great Reverence and Complacency^
^ (W^. all the true, noble, Elfentials of Chriftian Re-
' iigion ; not fubverted, as among the Romanifts, by

* any contrary Doctrines or Practices,) than could be

* pretended to remain the Matter of their difapproba-
[ cion and diflike.

580 Some HifloTJcal Addition, Chap. XVlll.

4i

It

Jin. 1701. 2. '' Nor, on the other Hand, to decline other Com-
" munion, which to the ]udgir,ent of their Confcicnce
'" appeared, in fome conliderable Circuniftances, more
*' agreeable to the Chriftian Rule, and to their Expc-
" nence, more conducing to their Spiritual Advantage
*' and Edification.

'' Which latter JudgariCnt of theirs (whether itfelf
" juftifiabie or no, we are not now confideiing) hath
** been with many fo fixed, and inflexible, tbu, in fe-
" veral fucceiTive Reigns, ^reat Numbers of fuch Per-
' ' fons, whom we had no Reafon to apprehend had any
*' Thought totally to abandon the EttabUlli'd Church,
" yet thought themfelves obHged befides, to fcek and
*•* procure Opportunities for fuch other Gommunions,
even with extream Peril, not only 10 their Eftates and
Liberties, but to their very Lives themfelves.
" They could not, therefore, but think both thefe
Sorts of Communion lawful, vi:(. whereto they
*^' rnig^ht adjoin, but not confine themfelves.
- ** An4 though to that former fort of Communion,
*' there harb for many Years by paft, been fuperadded
*' the accidental confide rat ion of a Place, or Office at-
'* tainable hereby ; no Man can allow bimfelf to think,
*' that what he before counted Lawful, is, by this fu-
*' pervening Confideration, become unlawful ; efpeci-
** aily, if the Office were fuch, as was in no manner
" of Way to be an emolument, but rather an Occafi-
*' on of greater Expence to the Undertaker of it, ;. e,
only enabled Iiim to ferve God, the Government,
and his Country, being regularly call'd hereto, in
*' the Condition of a Juftice of Peace, or otherwife.
*' In which Capacity, it is notorious that divers Per«
** fons of eminent Note, of this Pcrfwaiion, (and fome
*' in higher Stations^ have within the fpace of Forty
'* Years paft, and upwards, been Serviceable to the
*' Publick in divers Parts of the Nation.

** It is not, indeed, to be thought that the Judge-
" ment and Practice of fuch Men, can be throughout
*' approved by our Reverend Fathers and Brethren of
" the E ft abli(h*d Church, as neither can we pretend it
*' to be fo Univerfally by our Selves. But we are re-
" more from any the leaft fufpicion, that Perfons of fo-
" excellent Worth, and Chfiftian Temper, as now pre-
'fide over the Eftablifli'd Church, can fuffer themfelves

*' to

cc

u

<(

<c

Chap. XVIII. iifter the Rcvoh/tion in 1688. 581

*' to Judge, orCenfure Men of this Scntimenc, as be- -4w. 1701.
" ine, for this finale Reafon, Men of Hypocru^cal a-.d
*■ infincere Minds ; buc that they wiil rather think ft
" poffible their Underftandings may be i'\ipos'd upon,
" fo as this may be the Judgnnenr, in the whole, of a
fincere, though milinform'd Confcience.
" For when they apprehend this Church, having
a 1 the tfffential Parts of Chrifiian Religion, hath
not, by iadding fome much difputcd Things, that are
not pretended to be any Parts thereof (but- ihar are
become as ncceflary to Comrriunion with it, as any
the moft effential Part) thereby unchurcht itfeif, but
that they may hold Communion with it; yet they do
not fee that they ought to appropriate then Commu-
nion to it, (o as to refufc all other Commu-
nion, where the fame Elfentials of Cfariftian Reli-
gion ar€ to be found, without thofe Additions, which
really belong not to it; They are apt to think fuch
*' Sentiments of theirs, not to be altogether deftitute of
** fome plaufible Ground.

** However, among thofe that are not entirely, in
^' every Pundilio of this Church, it hath not any fo
*' firm Friends, or that are fo nearly united in Judge"-
** meni and AflFedtion with it, as Men of this Sen-
*' timent.

*' We, for our Parts (who, becaufe in fome Things
*' we conform not, are called Non-Conformifts,
" whereas no Man Conforms in every Thing) are
** not allowed to be counted Members of this
*' Church , by thofe that take Denominations, not
" from the intimate Effentials of Things (as famenefs
** of Dodiviae, and the Inflitutions of Chriftian Wor-
*' fhip) but from ioofe and very feparable Accidents:
*' Yet, Thanks be to God, we are not fo ftupid, as not
** to apprehend, we axe under ftrider, and much more
^* facred Obligation, than can be carried under the
" found of a Name, to adhere to thofe our Reve-
*' rend Fathers and Brethren of the Eftablifb'd Church,
'* who are raoft United among themfelves, in Du*-
*^ ty to God, and our Redeemer, in Loyalty to our
** Sovereign, and in Fidelity to the Proteftant Reli-
" gion; as with whom, in this dubious State of
*' Things, we are to run all Hazards, and to live and
*^ die together. Whether they can have the fame.

Pp 3,, ?'^^-

582 Some Hi (tone al Additions Chap. XVIII.

Ar^. 1701/' Affarance , both from Intereft and Inclination of
*' Mind, concerning all that are of the fame External
** Denomination with themfelves, they need not us to
** to advife with.

" We have our yet depending lefTer Differences, a-
bout which wc have (notwithltanding whatfoever
Provocation) been generally, and for the moft part
,'?' Silent, and fee not in Reference to them, what can
*' further remain, than that we, for our Parrs, do
" confider, that all Minds are not turn'd the fame
*' Way ; that fuch, from whom we Dilfent, no fur-
*' ther dirfer from us, than we do from them; and we
" are therefore, no more to wonder at them, than our
" Selves.

" And we cannot difallow our Selves to hope, that
^' our Reverend Fathers and Brethren will conceive
of us, as humbly Diffenting from them, without
diminution of that great Reverence, which their
real Worth claims from us ; and without arrogating
any Thing unduly to our Selves on that Account.
For tho* we cannot avoid thinking we are in the
Right, in tbofe particular Things wherein we differ ;
yet, at the fame Time, we know our Selves to be far
exceird by them, in much greater, and more im-
** portant Things.

Mj/ Honoured Lord,

Tour Lord/hips *

Molt Obedient
Humble Servant,

7. ^.

<c
<c
a

About

Chap. XVIIL afier the Revolution m 1 63H. ySi

About this Time came out an EJfay tovof^rds n Com- An. lyji-
prehertfion ; offer'd to the Confideracion cf the two
Houfes of Parliament ; and to the Archbilhops, Bi-
fhops, and Ciergy in Convocation. The Author of-
fers feveral Reafons to ihew the Neceflity of attempc-
ina this Work ; conliders the moft common Objedions
againftit; And propofes fome Methods which he tho't
might be ufeful for the efFedting it : But no Notice
was taken of it.

Debates were conrinu'd this Year and managed 2"^«^^^^^«
with Warmth, both in, and out of Convocation. Mr. Hil! "^^^"^ ^'^^
publiihed the F{jgi^ts, Likrties, mid ^utbouties of the ^'&^'^^ ^^ '^
Chrifticn Church, ajjerted againft all opprcjjlve DcHrines '^'^'^^.^'fj''"
and Conftitutions : And a Juftification of his ^^^'"^^^*^f" /7^'l?Il ««
jtium EccUfiafticum. He fays, it cannot be unfeafonable thatSubje^^l.
to aflert the San(5lity and Power of the Church, when
every Afs and unclean Beaft is lifting up his Heel a-
gainlt her. We (fays he) ha\ e been Jed along to fuch
an Obfervance of the fecular Weathei-cocks, and have
thereby fo far funk and expofed our Order by our Re-
liances on the Arm of FJefh, that being deplum'd of
all Authority and Reverence, 'tis to be fear'd we may
in fome little Time, be taken for chargeable Need-nots.
He urges, Dr. I4^ake's Scheme with a great many Diffi-
culties. He cites feveral PalTages of the Fathers in
which they equal thePrieftly tothe Regal Power, nay,
rather feem to prefer the former to the latter ; And
fays, he does it to fhew in general the Superiority of
Dignity, and the independent Freedom of the more
excellent Authority in Spiritual Povi^ers, in diftindion
from the meaner Temporal Authority ; that fo all par-
ticulars in Synods, or other Procefles Ecclefiaftical,
may be determin'd by the fame general Rules and
Maxims, which affert a greater Excellency, and an uni-
verfal Independency, of the Spiritual Powers from on
the Temporal, in all Matters purely Ecclefiaftical with- "^

otic Exception^ He proves by many Citations from Fa-
thers,- and Councils, a great Neceltity of frequent Sy-
nods: And aflefts that as Things now ftand with us,
no Men can upon Principles, with well to the Confti-
cuiton of Parliaments, that are Enemies to the Rights,
and Priviledges of Ecclefiaftical Convocations. He
fays. That the deriving Synodical Authority from the

P.p 4 - mec]

504 Some Hijloricd AddJtio?fs Chap. XVUl.

-<5«. 1 701. meer Allowance of the Chriftian Prince, bewilders
Men in a Maz'- of inextricable Inconliliences and Con--
tradiifiions. He mentions fome Canons that requir'd
itaceJ Synods to be held, noiwithftanding ihc Prohibi-
tion of the Prince ; And cites many other Canons, to
prove that the fever al Maropolitans had Power to call
Synods, without any Intervention of the Imperial
Aiuhority. He alfo oppofes the Doctor's Authorities
with many contrary Citations, as to the Rights of
Princes in calling EcclefiaOical Council.

He fays that Eccle(ial\icks in a State of Canonical
Freedom, Piety, and Learning, are not fuch a Knot
of unroward Monfters and Salvages as they are now
very pionlly repreiented. No ; the Definitions of Ca-
tholick and Canoriical Synods were of the Holy Ghoft :
they were in their own internal and facred Vertue
Authoritative and Obligatory, without any Civil Ra-
tification. This he aflerts to have been the Senfe of
the Fathers. And he confiders the feveral Inftances of
Ecclcfiaftical Synods for feveral Ages, under the Reigns
of Chriftian Emperors and Princes, both fuch as were
diredled, confirmed or rejedied by fuch princes, and
thofe in which they did not interpofe at all, or but in
Part only, making Remarks all along, in Oppolition to
the Notions of the Do6tor, as Occalion oft'er'd, or he
Kho't it would in any RefpeCl be to his Pnrpofe ; till he
concludes that the Do£lor had violated the moft impor-
• tiint Truths of Principles and Hi/lories, to fervea rotten,
corrupt and tyrannical Hypothefis. For his own Part
he declares, that he had no Worldly Ambitions, Hopes,
or Fears to byafs or corrupt him ; and he pronounces a
folemn Anathema againft him, that would for thefe or
any other Conhderations confcioufly promote or pal-
liate, any Errors or Delufions. And be conjures,
challenges, provokes, entreats, and defires the Dodlor,
upon all the Points of Honour, and Motives of Cha-
rity, and Juftice, to the Church of God, to Kings
and Princes, to all fcducibJe Confciences, and parti-
cularly his, to anfwer the former and this Second
Book, fairly, fully and openly, upon every Point, No-
tion, and Fadt, Argument, and Inference wherein lie
had been tax'd.

i' .

At

Chap.XVlIl. after the Revolntioftin i6SS, 585

At the fame Time came out a Book of Dr. Ksnnet^s^ An- 1701.
intituled, Ecclefiafttcal Synods nvd Parliamentary Convc- . ,
canons in the Church of England, hifioricnlly ftnted^ '^'^^ Ken net
jufily vindicated from the Mif-repre(entatioris of lAr. At-
terbury. He dedicates it to the Archbifliop oi Canter-
bury, having fir ft (as he intimates) obtain'd his Graces
Leave, not prefuming to furprize him with an unex-
pe<9:ed Addrefs ; Tho' had he taken that Freedom, he
conceives it might have appeared the more decent, be-
caufe he had expreifed a due Refpedi and Reverence to
the Governors in Church and State ; and becaufe the
Reports and Authorities he produced, were not the
Fruits of other Men's Colle6tions, but the immediate
Effe6ks of his own fearches into Regifters and Records :
Nor did he imperioufly fummon bis Grace or my
Lords the Bilhops, to an immediate Compliance, upon
Pain of being pronounc'd the Betrayers of the Church,
In his Preface, he fays, the Book he wrote againft
fallly reprefents the Hiftorical Part of the Argument,
and diicovers a Zeal for the Church, without any
Knowledge in the Conftitution of it: And that he
found it upon a fecond Edition of it, to be one of the
moft disjointed Pieces he ever faw, and the moft im-
perfedl ; And tho't it would be a Reproach to the Engli/h
Church and Nation, if fuch a Book were judged to be
the Senfe of the Clergy, or of any other ferious Men
of Letters. He declares he would not have been an
Adverfary to Mr. jitter tury, if be had not verily bc-
liev'd him to be fo, to Convocations and the Clergy
of them : And that his Aims are, to reprove that de-
riding and infulting Way of Raillery and Wrath,^
that wounds Religion, and weakens^^that Church,
whofe Priefts (hall fo attempt to vindicate her Rights
and Powers; To affert the Nature of a Chrifiian
Church ; to maintain the effential Difference between
a Church and a State, and between Synods, and Ci-
vil Alfemblies ; to defend the Reformation, affert the
Excellence of Englifh Monarchy, plead for the King
and Government, vindicate the Honour of the Mini-
sters of State, keep up the Reverence due to Arch-
bilhops and Bifhops, confult the Intereft and Security
of the inferior Clergy ; and prevent another fatal Se-
paration. And he affures all concern*d, that he is not
to be frighted by Menaces,

586 Sof?ie ilifiorrcal Additioias Cha p. XV III.

- — — •" li

An. lycf. He oblerves there have been Difpines in the Church
from the rirlt, efpecially m Mr^rrcro of Privilcd^e and
Power ; and that in this Church and Nation, from the
very firit ti^abJilhment of RcJjgion, there has fcarce
been any one Age, but that fome Difputes for Prece-
dence and Authority have been thrown in, to diftuib
the Governmrnt and divide the People : But that fince
the Reformation the CJergy has freely own'd the
F{cynl Supremacy ^ tiil the Attempt of fome late Inno-
vators.

He reiledts upon the Author of the Letter to a Con-
vocation Man. He wont allow him to be cither a
Lawyer, or a Parliament Man, tho' he would feem to
be both : Charges him with not underftanding what a
Convocation is, nov thtFrdemunietnes or Diocejnn Writ y
nor the Provincird Writ : and reprefents him as inju-
rious to King W.Hlnm^ by fuch diredt Reproaches, or
fly Infinuations, as make the Letter a Libel He fays
that the Clergy we'-e by that Letter brought under a Sufpi-
cion of beiyig dijcontented and -defigning Men, fetting up
for thetnfelves under nevp Pretences of Libert; and Power^
neither enjoyed nor ciaimed in former i{eigns.

He fays, the Author of Municipium^ ^c. arraigns
the fundanienrai Laws of the Land, as derogatory to
the Laws of Qhrift. And as for the Author of the
■^'?/>^^, Powers^ and Priviled'^es of an Englilh Convocatin^
he charges him with being a very afTuming Writer, and
. talking much of his own Abilities ; with appealing to
Mamifcriprs and Records, which he was a Stranger
ro ; with being fevere and bitter in his Perfonal Re-
fled:ions- and ufing tauming and opprobrious Lan-
guage, paft all Charity, and the Rules of Decorum ;
making his Adverfary all over Fool and Knave ; and with
being, trifling and cbildilTi incorrediing fmali Miftakes.
He fays, That they that are Critical lliould be careful,
that they do not themfelves commit a Multitude of
Krrors, while they are running over their Articles
againft other Men ; and that they do not tax a Fault
in another, when the very Fault really is their own ;
againft both which good Rules, this Author ( he fays )
has offended i and that particularly in his Refledkions
on the famous Lyndwood, and the Bilhop of Sarum, and
Dr. l^V.ilif, He charges him alfo with exprefling much
Rancour and Malice, as well as Rudenefs ; with

triamphing

Chap. XVllI. after the Revolution in 1^88. 587 ~

triumphing over the Clergy upon their Lofs of their^«. I'joi.
Rights, as zealous as he appears for them ; with creat-
ing Prejudice without Caufe, and making Parties,
when there is Httle or no Difference between them ;
and fays, that no Writer ever manag'd an Argument
with more Slightnefs and more fuperficial Touches, or
indeed more Falfhood and Deceit than he.

He. aflferts, That Diocefan Synods, are more ancient
than Provincial. That Presbyters are no authoritative
Part of Provincial Synods. That Cr.pitular Procters vitrcr
fummoned to our Convocations, not for Counfel or
neceflary Confent in Spiritual Affairs, but for Secular
Polfeflions and Civil Rights, which were often there
treated of; and to fupport the Government with their
reafonablc Aid and Taxes. He diftinguifhes between
true Ecclejjafiical Synods^ which had no Authority in,
or Dependence on the Parliament, and Parliamentary
Jffemblies of the Clergy.

He fays, That the lower Clergy for many Ages did
not come to Provincial Synods, but for a dutiful Ac-
tendance on the Bifhops, and offered only a fubmiflive
Approbation of their A6ts : And that their coming to
Parliamentary Alfemblies, was to give Money. And '
that it was by Degrees found expedient, that the fame
Clergy as was fummond to the National Parliament,
ihouldatthe fame Time be fummoned to a Provincial
Synod or AfTembly, concurrent with that Parliament.
But this was by another Writ, befides that contained
in the Bilhop's Summons, with the Claufe Prtgmunien-
tesi And even by another Writ from the King. And
he charges Mr. Atterbury with miferable Confufion all
along, as if he tho't every Parliamentary meeting of
the Clergy, to b/e an Ecclefiaftical Synod, and every
Ecclefiaftical Synod, to be a Parliamentary Body of the
Clergy ; than which nothing more falfe in Fa£t and
Law : And fays, That a Perfon that writes at fo fidi-
tious a Rate, would be a much better Champion for
another Church of Traditions and Legendary Tales,
than for the Church of England^ that can be fupported
by nothing but Sincerity and Truth.

He fays. That Prohibitions were not fent by our Princes
to Parliamentary Convocations, but to Synods only :
and ihat Mr. Atterbury s account of Chriilian and

^nglijh

588 Some Hifioricnl Additions Chap. XVIII.

An. 1 70 1. EngUflo Synods, is the iroft inaccurate, confus'd, and
miftaken Acconnc that ever was given.

He wifties ibat the Pamclnal Clergy were more equally
and faily reprefented in the Convocation : That their
Vrodlrrs in the Lower Houfc, might be at leaft a Bal-
lancc to the other digmfy*d Presbyters, and not be ex-
ceeded by them more than one half; One Hundred
fiippofe to lefs than Forty.

He fcveval Times charges Mr. Attcrhuryf with being
very uwjuft to the Rights of the Church, in reprefent-
ing Affairs of Religion determin*d in Civil Councils.
He takes a great deal df Pains to redtifie the Matter
of the Premunientes Claui'e : And then fays, That the
Engli(h Clergy in their oven Parliamentary Convocations,
tax'd their own Body, to the 15 Car. II. 1665 5
when in a following Sejfions of Parliament in 1664, hy
Msafures wifely concerted between the Governors of the
Churchy and the lending Members of the Hctife of Com-
monSf the Clergy were in Silence to recede from the cujio'
mary I{fght (f taxing thewfelves apart from the Laity .-
And aU their Ecelefiajlicnl Benefices were to be now ajfeffed^
(as their Temporal Eftates were before) upon the fame Foot
and Level with aU other EngHih SubfeBs in the Bills begin*
ning in the Houfe of Commons, And thus departing from
their ancient Pradlice of Taxing themfelves, the End
ot the Premunientcs he fays was loft. Rectors and Vi-
cars being now tax'd for tbeir Glebe and Tythes, by
• the Commons, have a Vote in eledting Members : And
therefore have the lefs Occafion to be now reprefented
by any Members of their own Body. And in Oppofi-
tion to Mr. Attcrbury^ 'vho w.th great Vehemence pref'
fes the Execution of the Prarnunlentcs Claufe, he al-
kdpes, that the forbearing it, is no late Orriillion ; that
the reftoring it would be no Benefit 10 the Clergy ;
that it wo'jld not make a Parliamentary Body of the
Clergy, uniefs the Provincial Writs be added and exe-
cuted; that if thcOmilfion be an Offence, 'tis to the
King, otlicrs are not concerned in it ; that if the
Church had had that Concern in it that is reprefented,
it would hardly have been fo long unobferv'd ; and that
the altering now, might be attended with ill Con-
ftquences: It might be the fubjedt of forae unfea-
fonablc Difference among the Bilhops, or raife fome
- unhappy Queftions in the Ecclefiaftical Courts, and be

attended

Chap. XVIIl. after the RetfolHtion in t6SS. 589

attended with furprizing Difficulties ; It might revive ^«. 170 1.
the Claim of the Clergy to Tax themfelves, and iflue
in their loofing their Votes in Country Eledtions.

Soon after came out a Pamphlet in 4>^j entituled, The
Principles of Mr. Atterbury'; Book^ confideredy and his Ar-
guments againft Dr» Wake ^.nd others finted and examined.
This Author fays> it was Mr. A^nerhurys main Defign
to abufe and mifreprefent his Adverfary, ftate his Argu-
ments unfairly, and anfwer what he never faid. He
alTcrts, That whatever Cuftom there may be for the
Clergy's being called to Convocarion when the Parlia-
ment fits, there is not the fame Right for their fitting
and a^ing. Not one Inftance is brought to prove that
the King fince the Reformation, was ever denied the
Power of proroguing the Convocation while the Parlia-
ment continued fitting ; or chat when he exercifed his Au -
thoriiy in denying them to fit and adl, the Legality of it
was ever difputed. He charges Mr, Atterbury with a grofs
Miftake about the Premunire in the Cafe of the Clergy
in the Time of Henry VIII. He confronts Mr. Atter-
tury^ with Mr. Smalridges Animndvofions on Church
Government. He fays, that fuch Faults as Mr. Atter-
burys were, are (God be thanked) to be found in few
other Writers : He difcover'd none fuch in any of thofc
Authors, whom with all the Stock of Spite and Inge-
nuity he is Mafter of, he fets himfelf to defame. This
Author alfo charges him with falfly interpreting the A£t
of Submillion. He fays that Mr. Atterbury has this
very particular Way of managing Controverfy, that
he is well aware what Authorities oppofe his Notions t
If they are down right Enemies, he denies them to be
Legal Evidence : If by Fraud or perverting their plain
Senfe, he can reduce them to bis Opinion, he takes
that Method for imjjofing upon his Readers Credulity -•
And if Confidence of being in the Right can have any
Influence, his Readers are fure never to want a Biafs.
He dilates on the Petition of the Convocation in Ed- ^

x^ard VI. Time, to the King for a Licence . And dif-
covers his Refentment, that fuch a Storm (hould be
raifed againft the Royal Supremacy in the Days of King
William^ who had been our Prote£ior and Deli verer
mpre than any Prince before him.

This was foon folio w'd with fome I(emarl{s upon the
Kemper of the Inte H^ritbTf about Convocations: particu-

Urly

590 Some Hifiorical Addition f Chap. XVIII.

An, 1 70 f . Urly Dr. l^^nke^ Dr. K^cnnet^ nnd the Author of Mr. Atter-
huns Principhs, This Author obferves that they who
were afraid to truft the Church with too much Power,
had us'd all they could againft their Adverfaries : And
though they inveigh'd fo mightily againft a rude un-
mannerly Way of being treated, had yet very plenti-
fully befpattier'd their Oppofers. He charges Dr. J4^ake
with inveighing againft the whole Body of the inferiour
Clergy, (upon whofe Credit that of Religion does in
a great Meafure depend;) and with reprefenting his
Adverfaries as difaffedted to the Church and State ;
as Men immoral and turbulent ^ acting againft re-
peated Oaths and Subfcriptions j Excommunicating
them, and excluding them from the Sacraments, and
pronoiincing them Papifts or Presbyterians; Things
not eafily to be reconcil'd with Charity and good
Manners.

And he fays thofe that wrote after Dr. fVal^c, and fot
him, have not willingly fallen much ftiort of hitn. He
banters Dr. Kjnnet for his Dedication ; and accufes hinri
of making long Panegyricks upon himfelf; and fays
he defires his Grace of Canterbury to patronize a great
deal of Scandal and ill Manners. He is very fevere in
his Refle£lions upon him, and alfo upon the Author of
Mr. Atterbury's Principles: And then clofes with a Mo-
tion, that every Writer may have a due degree of Re-.
fentment, according as he is found to Tranfgrels the
Rules of Temper and Moderation.

This was followed with an Occafional Letter ^ on the
SubjeH of Englilh Convocations ; by the Author of Ecckfi-
a/iical Synods and Parliamentary Convocations in the Church
of England. The Author reckons it beneath him to
take Notice of the Remarks forementionM. He leaves
it to the World to judge on which Side the Temper lies.
He frankly owns fome Miftakcs ; but they are fuch as
aflfedl not the main Caufe in Debate. He vindicates
his Reflections on the Author he wrote againft; fays,
he has not one Word detracting from him but as a
Writer only. He fays he had not exhaufted his Subje£l;
and mentions many other Faults he might have found
with the Chapters which he had conficlcr'd : And gives
his Friend Affurance, that if he (hould goon, he would
all along remember to join heartily with Dr. y^. for all
Legal Rights of an Envlijh Convocation ; for all ne-

celfary

Chap. XVUL after the luvoluiionin 1688. 591

ceflary or expedients Powers of the Church, and all Ah, 1701.
cuftomary Favikdgcs of the Clergy; that fo thty
might be on their Guard againft their coimnon Adver-
faries, and not open a Pafs to any oppofite Army, while
ihey were Ikirmifliing in their own Camp, and not gra-
tify the Erajiians, the Pdpifts, rhe y^jftmhly Men, nor
any other Party, who would be glad to fee ihe EAa-
blilhment loft, by difputing about the Conftitiuion of
it. He argues the unreafonablenefs of the Lower
Hcufes pretending to a Right of adjourning themfelvesj
and pleads for the Rights of the Arthbilhop o^- Canter-
bury ; and fays that when no Prince has challenged the
Right of having the Premunitory CJaufe obey'd, and
00 Parliament has interposed, no Bifhop been accus'd
for not bringing up bis premoniih'd Clergy with him,
when none of the inferiour Clergy have complain'd of
not being duly premonilVd, returned, and admitted to
Parliament, when no Lawyers have pleaded a breach
of Conftitution in the Cafe, that after the filence and
confent of allParties concern'd, there fhould at laft arife
a private Man, that fhould of his own Senfe requeft,
or rather enjoin the Biftiops to command the ftrid Ex-
ecution of their Parliamentary Summons on the Lower
Orders of the Clergy, and do this with a pure impo-
fing on their Lordfhips and the Clergy, Men of Senfe
will admire what fuch a Propofal means : And though
to ferve a Purpofe it may be fome little Time com-
mended, and fomewhat longer excus'd, yet it will on
fecond Thoughts be difcover'd to be a new and dange-
rous Projeft, that has no Hiftory nor Policy to fupporc
it; that would but divide the Church, and difturb the
State, and put the whole Conftitution out of Order.

Now alfo there was pubiilh'd n Letter to a Friend in
the Country^ concerning the Proceedings of the prefent Coti'
vocation ; a fingle Sheet in 4to. The Author laments
the Difputeson Foot; and prays God they may have
no ill Effeds on the Ecclefiaftical Conftitution, nor
give too much Encouragement to the Enemies of Epif-
copacy. Befides a great many Things hinted here before
(which its needlefs to repeat) he fays that the Pr^emuni^
entes was at the beginning complain'd of and oppos'd by
the Clergy as an encroachment upon the Rights and
Liberties of the Church, and a diminution of the Me-
tropolitans Power. And now for fo many Ages it has

had

592 Some Hfjiorical Additions Chap. X VHl.

An. f/of. had no etFedt in convening the Clergy, to plead for the
reviving of it, and that coo under the Notion o£ Defending
the i^/V^fj and Liberties of th: Churchy is ftrangeDo'.^rine
to fay no worfe of it. He ArgJcs from InOances, for
the Archbilhops Right to Prorogue the Lower Hoafe as
well as the Upper, and Anfwers the Inftances alledf^'d
againft it; and vindica:es the Proceedings of the Up-
per Hoafe with refpedt to pernicious Books, that had
been Printed.

This wis foon Anfwer'd by a Pamphlet intituled, The
Power of the Lower Houfe of Convccation to Adjourn ii^feif,
vindisated from the Mifreprefentations tf a Ute Paper ^ 8cc,
The Author complains thai the Lower Clergy in Con-
vocation found themfelves obliged either to contend
with their Bilhops, for the Rights of their Houfe, or to
give up the Conf^itution of an Evglifh Synod, and be-
tray the Truft lodg'd in rhem by the Clergy of the Pro-
vince. They however, (he fays) would have kept it
within themfelves • But their Lordlhips having fuffer*d
a Vindication of their Proceedings and Pretenfions to
be made Publick, it was no longer in their Power.
The Letter that bad been Printed, is charg'd with
giving a Relation that was lame and imperfe(5^, nay in-
confiftent with Truth. It omitted the unreafonable At-
tendance which the Bifliops requir'd of the Lovirer
Clergy, which was a great Grievance. Having touch'd
on that, the Author fets himfelf to prove the Power of
rbe Lower Houfe to Adjourn itfelf. He fays it muft
have this Power becaufe 'tis an Houfe ; which it could
not be, if it had not a Power of fitting and riling at
Difcretion. He pleads that the Archbifhop has now no
fummoning Power but what is Minijieriat' And that
therefore he having now no Authority to convene the
Body of the Clergy, neither can he ha'^e any Authority
to Prorogue, Adjourn, or Continue thenl. HeArgueS
alfo from the fitting of Committees, by the fole Autho-
rity of the Hotife, in the intervals of its Seffions ; and
from the mifchievous Confequenccs that would attend
the fuppofing the Power of adjourning the whole Synod
to be in the Archbilhop. His Graces Power (he fays)
at this rate, would be greater than what the Crown it
felf ever Pradtic'd : He'd then have it in his Power to
quafli intermediate Seflions, and to prevent the difpatch
of all manner of Bulinefs j and fo defeat the very ends

Chap. XVIII. after the Revolution in 1 6'$^, 593

of the AfTembly, and the intentions of the Kings Sum- y^« i^oi^
mons. T/w^ 'tis intimated, M'^hen any future Prince [kaB
arife who has Thoughts of fubverting the Church Efinblifh-'
mcnt^ and knows that the firfi and largeji step towards it^ is
by fupprejfmg Convocations; he hath nothing to do for the
attainment of thn End, hut only to make an Archbifhop^
vpho (hall be ready to exert his adjourning Power as direBedy
and by that Means to prevent all Oppofition that may arifi
from the united Counfels of the Clergy to the new Meafupss.
nnd Models intended. And he adds, that of the Three
Books that are left, which Ihew the Forcns and Methocis
of Adjournment prai^ic'd in the Lower Houfe, (one of.
the Years 1 586 and 1588 ; another of the Year 1640 •
and a Third of that Convocation which fat with the
Long Parliament after the Reftoration,) each has feve-
ral Inftances, wherein the very ftile of Adjournmerir^
ihews the Power of Adjourning to be lodg'd in the:
Lower Houfe itfelf. He Argues alfo from the Form of
Adjournments in the Upper Houfe Books ; and alferts
that it has been the Ufage of the Lower Houfe to Sit^
Treat and A(3:, after the Upper Houfe wasrifen^ and
on intermediate Days alfo, when the Upper Houfe never
fat at ail. Several very nice arid critical Remarks are 1

made to Confirm and Support this. Among other
Things he affirms as to the Convocation of 1661, That
all the Time that pajTd after 1664, may be fuppos'dto
have been a continud Dream, in which the Convocation (lept
over their Priviledges^ and having once let go the great
\ight of Taxing themfelves^ might be lefl careful to jecure
the others. He fays, that never any Body of Men main-,
rain'd a Difpute of that length and Confequence, wirh
more calmnefs or greater deference to their Superiours
than the Lower Houfe of Convocation hath done this:
In which they perfifted to the Jaft, nocwithftanding the,
frequent Changes of the Queftion, the flights and un-
reafonable bardlhips of every Sort, which were in the
feveral fteps of this Debate put upon them : And he
feems fearful leaft their Friends fhould be of Opinion
that they have rather ftoop'd too much than too little.
For the Members of thfe Lower Houfe when Alfembled^
are no longer to be look'd upon as fo many private Per-
fons, but as the Legal Reprefentatives of Eight or Ten
Thoufand Men in Holy Orders, and carrying in them
the Weight of the whole Clergy of the Province. And

Q q tinder

594 Some Hjflorjcal Addition, Chap, XVIU.

An, 1 701. under this View he intiinates they may reafonably hope
for good Ufage at leaft,i if not for fome little degree of
Reipedt from their betters.

This was follow'd with A Narrative of the Proceedings
of the Lower Houfe of Convocationrelating to Prorogations and
Adjournments ; from Monday Feb. 10.1700. tolVednef.
day June 15. 170 1. Dmvpw up by the Order of the Houje,
The publilher intimates that this Narrative was drawn
np, that the Lower Houfe might be in a pofture of De-
fence. That they found there were great endeavours
us'd to prepoflefs the Minds of the Inferiour Clergy
againft their Reprefentatives in Convocation, as if they
were invading the Rights of the Metropolitan, and
trampling upon Epifcopacy itfelf: And therefore the
publifher thought it neceflary that it fhould fee the Light:
Tho* for his doing this of his own Head, he begs
the Pardon of thole Gentlemen whofe leave he owns
he ought to have asVd before. He retiedrs with free-
dom on the foremention'd Letter to a Friend in the Coun-
try^ which he charges with falCe Affertions, and in con-
clufive Arguments, as well as Prevarications. He fays,
that the Lower Houfe of Convocation in 1689, had very un-
acceptable Bvfinefi proposed to them, and were fo far from
confidering how they Jhouid fit to purfue it^ that they defir'd
nothing fo much of to be dijchargd from it.

The NarrativeWgiTiS with applauding the decency of
the Conduct of the Lower Houfe, as well as the Juftice
. of their Claim. It owns that the greateft Part of their
Time was taken up in defending their Power to Ad-
journ themfelves ; a Thing which it reprefents as ne-
cefTary to fecure all the other Rights and Liberties of
the inferiour Clergy, and of the utnioft Confequence
to the Prefervation of the Church itfelf. For if the
Archbifhop has a Power to deprive Bifhops of himfeif,
and to Adjourn both Houfes of Convocation as he will,
'tis intimated , the whole Eftablifh'd Ecclefitjjiical
Conjiitution will depend fo intirely upon his Pleafure^
that fhould he fo thinks fit, he alone might effcHunlly give
it up to Alteration or Deflnitlion,

The Narrative goes on to tell what they did from
Day to Day, till it comes to the Reply of the Bifhops,
tD the Anfwer of the Lower Houfe, to the Two Que-
ftions put to the Prolocutor by the Archbiihop, which
is reflcdcd on with Freedom, though not inferted.

The

Chap. XVnr. after the RevoUtionin 16^"^. 595

The Arguments urg'd are much the fame as thofe in the An. lyoi*
Anfiver to a Lettsr to a Friend, SiC. The Narrative fays
that in the Lower Houfe, they carried it for their own
Right to Adjourn themfelves, by a Majority of Sixty
fix Voices againft Twenty four : After which they de-
fir'd a Conference, which being refus'd, and that refu-
fal followed with a long Adjournmenr, they exercis'd
their Right, and held intermediate Seifions. Many are
the compla.ints here made of the Bilhops, as making
them attend needlefly ; and as doing what in them lay-
to cut off all Coaimunication between the Two Houfes.
The Prolocutor Dr. Hooper is vindicated from the Pra-
•varication which he was charg'd with by the Bifhop of
Banker ; and an Account given of the fteps taken by
the Lower Houfe with refp.e£i to the Bilhop of Sarums
Expofition of the Thirty nine Articles^ &c.

The next Thing that was Printed was the I{ight of
the Archbijhop to continue or Prorogue the vsf hole Convocation^
in a Second Letter, by Way of Reply to the Power of
the Lower Hcufe of Convocation to Adjourn itfelf^ Scc. and
the Narrative, Scc. This Author fays, that after all the
endeavours to leffen the Character, and blemilh the
Conduct of the prefent Prelates, they have a fuificient
fhare in the Efteem and Affections both of Clergy and
Laity. He complains that fome Archdeacons made the
Juftification of the Lower Houfe, and the pretended
Hardfhips put upon them by the Upper, a Part of their
Vifitational Charge. He anfwers the Arguments urg'd
in their Favour. He fays they may be an Houfe, with*
out being vefted in fuch Powers ana Priviledges as none
of their Predecelfors either enjoy'd orclaim'd. He proves,
that though the Archbiihop is difabled by the Statute
of Submiilion from fummonirg a Convocation at Plea*
fure, yet after receiving the King's Writ, he fummons
it as much by his own Authority as he did before. He
intimates, That if the EngJiflD Clergy have been Jleep.
ing ever their Priviledges, it has been fo ever (ince
the Reformation : None having happen'd to Dream
of the refin'd Scheme now contrivM for the Enlarg-
ment of the prefent Members from the Authority of
their Ecclefiaftical (rovernors. He afferrs that the Con-
fent of the Inferior Clergy to a Continuation or Proro-
gation, was never either ask'd or given. He charges
•hofe he writes againft, with being inconfiftent in their

CLq i Prin-

59^ ^ome H/fiorical Additions Chap. X V I II .

Aiu 1 701. Principles. When Dr. iVaks afTertcd it to be a Part of
the Princes Prerogative to furamon Convocations when
hertiall think fii^he was fevercly corre(9:ed for giving the
Kingfo much Authority, betraying the Liberties of the
Church, and putting it in the Princes Power to deftroy
our Rehgion at Pleafurc : But when they would evade
the Authority of their Metropolitan by transfering it
to the Crown, then all the Power they can give the
King is tho't little enough, and there is no Danger at all
to Religion, nor are the Liberties of the Church in the
Jeaft affected. He next proves that the Argument from
Committees to fit in the Interval, is not a fufficient
Evidence of a Power to continue ; infinuatcs, that the
Danger of trufting the Power of continuing in one
Hand, is urg^d upon Republican Principles; and that
the Inconveniences of a Power to continue at Pleafurc,
conclude as Itrongly againft the Lower Houfe, as againft
the Archbilhop ; that the Lower Houfe of Convoca-
tion have in their Pradkices gone farther already than
any of their Predecelfors, but not near fo far as the
Principles ufed in their Defence will carry them. This
Principle of a feparate Right to continue, (he fays) in-
troduces a co-ordinate Power of Presbyters with their Bi'
/hops in Symdical Mutters ; juflifies them in the Denial of
their Coimfel and Affifltince, tends to divide their Confulta-
tions and Interefisy and pave the Way far a State of Pref-
bytery^ iy making all Iniiances of Submifjion^ to be /Jtis
. of Choice and not of Duty, He goes on to the Arguirent
from the Forms and Methods of Adjournments pra-
(Stifed in the Lower Houfe : And afterwards proves,
that the Lower Clergy are included in the Continua-
tions of the Upper Houfe. He Ihows that in all the In-
ftances produced in Favour of intermediate Selfn ns,
the Clergy met by the exprefs Command, and Dirc-
dtion of rhe Archbilhop, to confider the particular
Matters that he prop fed to them ; and that fuch Meet-
ings as were held by his Grace's Command can infer no
Right in the Lower Houfe to hold them without that
Command : That theAppointment of Committees of rhe
Lower Clergy, was always claim'd and cxercis'd by
his Grace • 1 hat thefe Meetings in the Intervals, could
be no other than Commirtees, becaufe rhey frequently
fuccecded fuch Conrinuarions as exprefs an entire Suf-
penfion of Convocation Bulinefs : And that the Prolo-
cutor's

Chap. XVIII. after the Revohtjon in 1688. 597

cucor's Prefence could be no Argument that tbey ac^ed -^n '^1 '
as a Houfe, (ince he was ufually at the Head of their
Committees as well as of the Houfe, &c. And he re-
prefents thofe as judging Right, who were apprehen-
five that till another Temper appeared, the Clergy's At-
dance upon their refpecStive Cures, would be more for
the real Service of the Church and Religion, than their
meeting in Convocation : And fays it will increafe his
Opinion of their Wifdom and Forefight and Concern
for the Church, at leaft till more defirable Effects of 3
iittingConvocaiioncan be (qqw than the late Proceedings
gave Caufe to expedt in prefent Circumftances: And that
it will be the raorccafily believ'dfor the Future, that
the meeting of the Clergy is not an equal BlefTing to
the Church, at all Seafons, and under all Difpofi-
cions.

But this was a very fruitful Debate, and made the
Prefs produce very plentifully.** A Letter came out to
the Author of the Narrative^ in Vindication of the Pro-
ceedings of the Members of the Lower Houfe ^ with I^ela-
tion to the Archbifhop's Prcrogation of it Upon May the
8th. The Author profefTes his Trouble to be engaged
in a Difpute of this Nature, wherein the Church in
general rauft fufFer, which Side of the Qaeflion foevec
prevails, and where there's no clearing one Part of the
Sacerdotal Order, without laying the Blame on ano^
iher. He complains much of the Narrative as not a-
greeing with the Minutes ; and of the Carriage of the
Houle to Dr. Verneyy and Dr. Trimnel j and that Leaves
were cut out of the Adt Book. He reflecfls upon the
omitting to intimate the Archbifhop s Prorogation, and
vindicates Dr. Femey's addrefHng thereupon to the Arch-
bilhop ; and the Abfence of thofe on Mty 16, who
were prefent on the 30th, againft the Reflections of the
Narrative, and the Addrefs of the Lower Houfe: And
makes a Motion, that they that are in Authority, may
not be fought to be devefted of a Power they have
been accuftom'd to exercife, till the Ufurpation is plain-
ly made out.

This was follow'd with a Letter to n Clergyman in the
Country^ concerning the Choice of Members^ and the Exe-
cution of the Parliament \>Vrit for the enfuing Convocation •:
Which upon the Kings fummoning a new Convoca-
fion with his new Parliament, recommends care in the

598 Some Hijioncal Additions Chap. XVlll.

An. 1701. Election of new Members, iri Confidentiori of the
Difpiues on Fovoc between the Two Houfes • and In-
timates, that when they are determined to the Preju-
dice of the Lower Clergy, there's an End of all the
Rights and Liberties of their Houfe, and they are
from that Moment, an ufelefs and infignificant Part of
the Conftitution. This iWritcr obferves, that the ele-
ctive Members bear the Proportion of above Four to Five
in the whole. And that the Influence of the Bifhopsis
great both m Chapters and Diocefles, and that they'd
be likely to exert rhemfeJves towards procuring a
Lower Houfe, that would facrifice its Rights and Li»
berties to the Upper. Hereprefents it as a moft unrea-
fonable Thing, for the Bifhops to over-rule the Ele-
(5lions of thofe Prodors, who in Convocation were to
repreient the Grievances and Hardships which the
Clergy fuffer from their Lordfhips Courts and Officers.
He fays, it has been refolv'd m the Lower Houfe, that
the intermcdling of Bifhops or their Officers^ to byafs the
EleBion of Procurators to ferve^ in Convocation^ is a Grie-
vance : But that this Refolution (among others) was
hinder'd from being carried to the Upper Houfe, by
feme who had determined that the Convocation fhouid
meet to no Purpofe. He begs therefore, that the
Clergy will reprefent to their Bifhops, that their now
intermcdling, would be injurious to the Rights of the
Clergy, and utterly deArudbive of the Conftitution of
- • .an Engi'iflo Synod. He fays, that the late Pleas for the
Authority of Metropolitans, have not been advanced
with any View of perpetuating the prefent Church
'Eilablifhment : And that a Temporal Government
founded in Liberty, i 2iS ihc En giifh is,) can never in*
corporate kindly with a Spiritual Society that is fup-
pof ted by Slavery : But will either reduce it to fome
kind of Conf >rmity with it felf, or quickly deftroy it.
He fays, the fi«^///fe Clergy have fo true a Rerpe£l for
Epifcopacy rooted in their Hearts, that its a Si?n of
their being ill ufed in an hiqh Degree, and even forc'd
to adl on the Defenfn e, when they contend with their
Bifliops : And that they confult their Lordfhips Intc-
rcfts, bj' preventing; if it be polfible, any Diminution
of their own ; and arc fo far from attempting to en-
croach on the Power of their Bifhops, that one End of
iheir prefent Struggle is to prevent fuch Encroachments.

Ke

Chap. XVIIf. after the Revolution in 1688. 599

JHe indmares, thj^c it hadalfo been refolved, That the not An. 1701.
executing of the Clatife Prjemuniences in the Bi[hop*s
ferity but fuffrejjing the fnme^ after thnt the Hjght of the
Clqrgy to meet in their Parliamentary Convocations hath
been, publickjy difputed and denied, and the encouraging Boal^s
and Paper J, written ^g^^*f(^ the Flights and Authority of Con-
voeaticns is a Grievance : And he would have the Clergy
demand the Execution of this Claufe, which he inti-
mate's would faften their Meeting fo clofe to thofe of
the Parliament, that neither the Malice of their Ene-
naies, nor Treachery of their falfe Friends, would ever
be able to diflblve the Union. He anfwers Objed:ions
againft it ; 'Tis wi:h him a fufiicient Proof, that the
Eifecution of this Ckufe is of fome Importance to the
Conftitution, that feme Men are with fo much Zeal
and Eagernefs bent and bid to oppofe it. And he con-
cludes with that Text of Scripture ; Be of good Courage^
and let m play the Men for our People ^ and for the Cities
of our God ; and the Lord do that which feemeth him good.
This w^s followed with a Second Letter upon the fame
Subjedt ; in which he endeavours farther 10 clear an4
confirm the Entry of the Archbilhop's Parliament Writ,
in the Convocation Acfls of both Provinces, and to e-
Jucidate fome other Matters,

In anfwer to thefe two Lerters, came out the Cafe of
the Prdtmunientes confidcred. The Author fays, that now
for foive Time the Clergy have had a loud Alarum,
that the Governors of the Church are deftroying the ^ .
Conftitution of it. That there was a late Reign,
when fome Bilhops were made, in Order to ferve an
ill Caufe, and to carry on very Arbitrary Meafures,
but that fince the Revolution it has been otherwife.
That It is a meer Fadlion that runs down the prefent
Bifhops for imperious and arbitrary Men ; and that the
many Tragical Complaints publickly urg'd againft
them, are but the unreafonable Noife and Clamour of
ibme of their Inferiors, moved by Difcontent and I)if-'
appointment. That it was they that are againft the Bi-
lhops that began the Difpute, and made the Aflault j
that the Writers on that Side have trefpafs'd in Point ot
Charity and good Manners, and publifti'd fo many
Infinuations, Colours and Stories, that even Martin
MAR-PRELA'tE did not more effedually affront th^
ehe Bifliops of the C. of E. That they that have plead-

Qq 4 ci

6oo Some Hifiorical Additions Chap. XVIIF.

An. lyci. ed againft the Bifhops, have been very inconfiftcnt with
one another, whic h fhews that they begun their new
Claims, before they had fix'd either the Ground or
Extent of them : That themfelves confefs that the
Rights they now claim, have not been claitn'd in the
Memory of Man ; and that the Power of prefiding
over a Convocation is fafe in the Hands of the prefenc
Primate : That they have not been ingenuous and fair
in their Relation of Things ; and that the Archbilhop
bore all their Behaviour, with that Tendernefs and
AfFedion that became his Character, and were pe-
culiar to his Temper. In Anfwer to the two Letters,
he fays, there's no Way of ending the Difputes, while tha
Church (lands, but the Clergy's returning to their
Duty ; and that even then the Biftiops can do no Syno-
dical A6t without them. He can fee no Harm in it,
for the Bifhop of the Diocefe to recommend this or
that Perfon, as befl qualified to reprefent his Brethren.
He intimates, that the Abufes of Ecclefiaftical Courts
and Officers, were never made a Subjedi of the Lower
Clergy's Remonftrance, till the laft Convocation: That
there is hardly one of the Bifhops who difcountenanc'd
the late Attempts of the Lower Clergy, but what has
been exprelly reviled and flander'd, in fome one or o-
ther of the lace Papers and Pamphlets : And that the
J^'filves mcrrtion'd, pafs'd not in a full Houfe, and
are pot to be foa>id, either in the Minutes or the
. Narrative. As for the Motion about ftricfbly exe-
cuting the P>(£t?]un:cntes Claufe, which was Dr. ^Hter^
^ur/s^ he anfwers it cut of Dr. f^^mneth Reply to him:
And concludes with telling him, that his Text in the
Clofe, was much like H. Petcn his Curfe ye Kierc:^'^ and
that he prayM Cod. to forgive him. In Anfwer to his
Second I etter. He tells him that the Sight of that had
convinc'd him, that his Caufe was now capable of no-
thing but hardy Countenance, and flight of Hand;
And that it would be given up for gone with all honeft
Maukind, when it can be no longer fupportcd with fin-
cerity and plainnefs ; and when the kit refort is to great
L'^ntruths, ambiguous Referves, and r^ artifices of
Deceiving.

Another Paper alfo came out againft the forefaid Let-
Ur to a Clerpymar}, &c. The Writer of it had faid, that
itvas the conttam Practice everfince the Ad of Sub-

miiJioD

f-~— ^ •-- ^ '

' Chap.XVlII. after the RevolHtioft in 1688. 601

miflion, in the front of the Adls of every Synod to en- An- lyof.
ter the King's Parliament Writ with the Claufe Pramw
rJenees, as well as that to the Archbifhop for calling the
Clergy of his Province. And in Proof of this he ap^
peal'd to the Original A£ls of the Convocations of Torl(^
Province, and the Authentick Extracts of the Province
of Canterbury. This Paper proves the contrary by a
Certificate from Torji-; and by Evidence from thofeC^w-^
ter bury £xtra6b ; And then fignifies concern at fo bold 2
Stroke, to ferve a prefent Turn, before the faJfity of it
could be detedled ; at that Writers fo Ihamefully impo-
fing on his Brethren, and his prophanenefs in applying a
Text of Scripture in the clofe of his I etter, to the fiip-
port of what was contrary to Religion and Truth.
And that Writer having in this Cafe offer'd in fo many
Words, that if he herein dcceivM, he was contented to
forfeit all his Credit with any good Man for ever; This
Animadverter tells him, that he could not fee how he
could avoid in that Refpe£t falling under his own Sen-
tence. He adds, That he could not help being in pain
for the Church, when they who made moft Noife of
maintaining it, put itsDefcnce upon fuch an Ifliie ja&this.
This was follow'd with a Reply to his Additional or
Second Letter; wherein bis Evalions were confider'd.
This Author here freely told that Writer, that a compli-
cation of Falfhoods, put together with fo much Ma-
nagement, could not be the effedt of Ignorance, though
even that would not be to be pardon'd, at the end of
fuch a foJemn Appeal: But thai an intended deceit (as
this has all the Appearance of being) was of a blacker
Compie£tion, and requir'd a folemn B^cnnting. That
explaining would not do. And that he had taken fuch
lengths in his Affertion, that if he could keep up his
Credit, under fuch a Cloud of Witnefles that fo fully
impeach it, he mtvft conclude there is not Encourage-
ment enough for Sincerity to be found in this World.
But that he could not fuppofe his Brethren would fee
afide theii- regard to publick Records, rather than que-
ftion the Integrity of one, who kept his Conclufion,
even when he was forc'd to take Notice himfelf, that
his Premifes fail'd. Nay, that he hop'd he himfetf
would repent, of that which upon the ftri6teft Enquiry
appeared to him to be the greateft Prevarication he ever
mti with, except his Poftfcript, which alfo is here con-
fider'd.

6o2 Some Hrftoncal Additiom ' Chap. XVIII.

4n. lyoi-fider'd, which refers to a Claufe ia the Archiepifcop,a|

Mandate : (j.,.,, i.,\ik-\ :"• - ; t

Thefe Refle£liorn$ drew forth a "R/r^/ iLe//er ^o 4 Cler-
gyman in the C^cuntij^ in Dafer.cc of viiJpat was /aid in thf
J'wo formsr, ^h9Ut phe Entry of th^ Pftrliament H^ric^ itf
the Journals of Convocation , an/f the infertion of the
Clni{fe in the yjrchiepi/copal Mandate, He complains of
his Anfwerers, that their chief Talent and Merit lay in-
darkning Difputes, and wearying Readers, by an end-
lefs Repetition of the fame bajSed Arguments, witlv-
out any new Turn of Art or Improvement. The Ar^
of fpreading Scandal, he fays is in our Time grown to
an high pitch of Perfedllon ; and fome of the Order
are extreamly improv'd of late in their Skill this Way.
For his Part, he fays he is eaiier under the Reproaches
of his Antagonift, than he Ihould be under his Panegy-
ricks. He aiferts his own Innocence ; and declares he
had reprefented Fads truly, and that the Author or
Authors he was engag'd with, had deny'd it upon raeei^
frivolous Conjedlures and Reafonings. He produces
a Certificate of Five Parliament Writs to the Archbi-
fhop, inferted in the Extra£ls of Five Convocations
ior Canterbury ; sind another Certificate in Oppofition
to the Aflfertions of his Antagonifts. He fays that the
Wiihes of thofe that wrote againft him, to find the Fadts
he alledg'd Falfe, were exceeding ftrong; and that
they miftook thofe Wirties for Arguments. And that
his Antagonift us'd his Words more like an Executionei;
than a fair Anfwerer; and put what he faid upon the
Rack, to make it confefs a meaning which he could
not but know in his Confcience it was never intend-
ed to imply. He gives alfo a farther Account of the
Affair of the Archbifhops Mandate; and charges his
Antagonift with a very grofs and wilful Prevarica-
tion about it; and calls upon him either as publickly
to difprove the Charge, or to own it. And confefles
in the clofe that his Tafk had been tedious, but that
it was abfolutely necelfary, in Order to clear his own
Integrity, and deted: the Artifices of thefe Men, who
be fays, mal{e Lies their Sf^fuge, and in Falfhood hide
themjelvej.

But;

Chap.XVllI. after the Revolution in \ 6^^. 609

But its Time now to return to the Convocation, that An, lyor.
was left fitting, when we broke off laft. The Biihops ^ farther
fas has been already intimated) were confidering the ^^^^^^^ \f
Report brought up from the Lower Houfe. They ^/,^ p^^.
drew up an Anfwer to it, and were for purfuing the ceedings
Debate about the Right of Adjournment in Writing, of tht
This the inferiour Clergy were againft, and on March Convoc^-
3r. i7or, they Voted their own Right to Adjourn tion.
themieives*. And then they fent

the Prolocutor with a MeiTage to * See the . Comp/eat Hlfiory of

the Upper Houfe, intimating that England, Fol. 3. p. 3^6. &e.
they bad confider'd their Reply,
anddefir'd a FREE CONFERENCE, upon the
Subjedt Matter in Debate. The Archbilhop required
their Anfwer in Writing. The Prolocutor told him,
their Anfwer would take up about Twenty Sheets.
The ArchbiHiop anfwer'd, he did not confine them
to length or breadth, but expedled their Anfwer in
Writing. The Lower Houfe infifted upon a Free Con-
ference, and drew up their Reafons for it, which were
prefemed on the 5 th of ApriL

The Upper Houfe being willing to give what Satis-
faction they could to the Lower, with refpedl to their
Complaint againft Mr. Toland*s Book, Intit. Chrifiianity
not Myfteriovi^ fearch'd Precedents, and agreed toadvife
with Council, upon thcfe Two Queries, i. PVhether the
Convocations giving an Opinion concerning n Bool{^ that k
"Heretical f JmpioWy and Immoral^ is contrary to any Larv ?
And, 2. PVhether the iVords in the Paper fent to them
hy the Lorver Houfe, voere fuch an Opinion oi is contrary to
any Law? And having had the Judgment of fome Emi-
nent Lawyers, they gave this Anfwer to the Lower
Houfe, that they did not find, how without a Licenfe from
the King which they bad not yet receivd, they could have
fufficient Authority to cenfure Judicially any fuch Bool^s j
But on the contrary were advifed, that by fo doings > both
Houfes op Convocation might incur the Penalties of the Sta-
tute of z'^ Hen. VI I L

On April the 8th a Paper was dcliver'd to the Prolo-
cutor in Anfwer to that from the Lower Houfe, deliver'd
April the 5tb, in which the Bifliops tell them, * That

* their Proceedings had been irregular, and without

* Precedent in fundry Particulars: That they could not
^ find fo much as one Inftance of any Conference de-

' , , ... ! fir'd

6o4 Some Hiftorical Additions Chap. XVI II.

Au. J 701

fir'd by the Lower Houfe.- That they were indeed
once call'd up ad Colloquium in 1689, but that the
Confequences of it wcic fuch as did by no Means in-
courage the doing of the like at this prefentTime:
And that their pretending to make a rccefs, by their
own Auth.ority, apart froa) the Upper Houfe, and
without Order from the Prefidcnr, was altogether
new, and fuch a Violation of his Authority, as could
not be comply'd with, nor fofFer'd, without deftroy-
ing the Fundanriemal Conftitution of an Englijh Con-
vocation.' After which the Archbilhop nude a grave
Speech, and prorogu'd the Convocation to May the 8th.
The Lower Houfe fate afterwards as a Houfe, for fome
Time that Day, and then adjourned themfelves to the
next Day. This ffays my Author) vvas an affectation
of Independence that was unknown to former Convo-
cations, and never before attempted by any Pre»byten,
in any Epifcopal Church.

On Miy the 8th the Archbiihop told the Prolocutor,
that ' what had been done in the Lower Houfe, as a
Houfe, fince the Prorogation, was not only null and
without Authority, but of very dangerous Confe-
quence to the Conftitmion. And that they could not
receive from them, either by Word of Mouth or in
Writing, any Thing done by the faid Houfe as a
Houfe in that Interval.* At the lame Time the Pro-
jocutor deliver'd a Paper, as the k6i of the Lower
Houfe this Day, which was an AnUver to what had
been fcnt them about Toland\ Book. ' They therein

* intimate their Apprebeniion of the little need there

* was to confult Lawyers about that Book; that the
' Archbilhop might eafily have obtain d a Licenfe; that

* a bad ufe would be made of their omitting to exprefs
' their di Hike of fo ill a Book: And juftify their own
' Proceedings, and much complain of Grievances they

* fuffer'd from the Upper Houfe.

A Committee of Bilhops prepar'd a Reply tathis Pa-
per ; fignifying, That ' they tho'i it fafeft, and moft for

* the Inrereft of the Church and Religion, that in the

* Matter of 7oUfid\ Book as well as others^ they (hould

* govern themfelves by Precedents of former Convoca-

* tions : That his Majefty was the propereft Judge^

* when to gram a Licenfe, and when not ; Tho* confi-
I dering the Treatment which the Licenfe granted to

't;l;c

Chap. XVHl. after the Revolution in 1 6SS. 605

* the Convocation in 1689 met with, it could not be .^. 1701

* tho't advifable to defire another, till a better Spirit

* had appear'd m thofe of the Lower Houfe, than

* either did then or now: That they would endeavour

* CO procure a Law for Regulating the Prefs, &c. That

* the Adlions of the Lower Houle did not agree with

* their Profcflion ; for that they had rifcn ro higher de-
' greesof difrefpedt and invafion of the MetropoJitan

* and Epifcopal Rights, than ever was atcempted by

* any Lower Houfe of Convocation before, &c. And

* that they had hereby given the greateft blow to the

* Church, that had been given it, (ince the Presbyce-

* rian Aflembly that fate at fVeftminfter, in the late
' Times of Confufion.

A Committee of Five Bifhops was appointed, to
meet a like Committee of the Lower Houfe to infpedt
the hfSts of each Houfe in this Convocation, and report
their Judgments. But the Lower Houfe r^fus'd to ap-
point fuch a Committee. And when the Schedule of
Prorogation was brought down to the Lower Houfe,'
ihe Prolocutor refus'd to intimate it„ and Adjourned to
the next Day, inftead of May 16, upon which Dr. Ver-
ney made the Addrefs, that was mentioned before, upon
Occafion of the 'Narrative of the Lower Houfe,

The Lower Houfe had been drawing A !{eprefentation
of their Senfe upon the Bifhop of Sarum'i Expofition of the
Thirty nine Articles of the C, of E, which they brought
up May the 30th. Then happened the Altercation be-
tween the Bilhop of Bangor and the Prolocutor> men-
tioned before.

The Paper prefented with Relation to the Bilhop of
Sarutns Expofition, reprefented it as the Senfe of the
Lower Houfe, that it was a Bool{ that tended to introduce
fuch ti Latitude and Diverfity of Opinions m the Articles
vpere framed to avoid* That there were many Pajfages in
the Expofition of fever al Articles^ that appear'' d to them to
be contrary to the true meaning of them^ and to other rC"
ceivd DoEirines of the Church. And that there veere
fi)me Things in it which feernd ef dangerom Confequence to
the C of "Eos hy Law Eflablifh'd, and to derogate from the
Honour of its Reformation,

Then appear'd Dr. Sherlock^ and Twelve other Mem-
bers of the Lower Houfe, and exhibited a complaint in
Writing, to the Archbiftiop and Bilhops, that they mov'a

6o6 Some Hijioncal Additions Chap. X VIIL

Ah. 1 701. in the Lower Houfe to enter their Proteftation againft
later meSate Scffions^ but it was by a Vote carried againft
them , which Vote was nnt alJow'd to be Regiftred nei-
ther; and therefore they begg'd leave to be admitted to
enter fuch Proteftations : And they fubfcrib'd their
Names to it.

June the 6th ; The Archbiftiop cold the Prolocutor,
That he could not according to the Order of their
Houle receive any Thing from him, till the Irregula-
rity complain d of was fet Right; And yet at the re-
peated Requeft of the Bifhop of Sarum, they were
willing to receive the Paper their Houfe had prepared
againlt his Book.* The Prolocutor not having that
Paper now at Hand was fent to fetch it; And when he
went away left behind him, a Paper, by Way of De -
fence of the Proceedings of the Lower Houfe, which
was read in his Abfence, by the Regifter. Ic contain'd
their Reafons for declining to meet the Committee of
Biihops as they were defir'd.

' They intimate they were a diflindi Houfe, and en-
tirely at Liberty to admit or decline the Appointment
of Committees as they faw fit. That the Bilhops had
no regular Way of feeing the Tranfac^ions of their
Houfe, but by their laying them before them ; But
that if the fight of their Journals was demanded as of
Right, they had Reafon to infift upon their Liberty.
That they could fee no ground for fuch a Committee.
That they had Reafon to exped their Lordfliips (hould
put into their Pofleflion the Journals of the Lower
Houfe, of is86, 1588, 1640, 1 66 1, ^c. (which of
Right belong'd to them) before they requir'd the In-
fpecftion of their prefent Proceedings. That they
were however difcourag'd by rhe Declaration made,
that what they had done was of dangerous Confe-
quence. And that their Lordlhips Sentence, cutting
off all intercourfe between the Two Houfes, was not
only over fevere,- being pafs'd upon fo fmall an Occa-
fion, but deftroy'd for the prefent the whole Defign,
and the very Being of a Convocation.
This Paper was referred to a Committee of Bifliops
to examine, who drew up a large and particalar An-
fwerj fignifying,

•That

Chap. XVlll. after the Revolution m 1 6SS. 607

* That it would have become the Lower Houfe to ^«. 1701-
have acknowledg'd the Patience and Tendernefs of
the Upper Houfe. That fearching Precedents, they
had found they had a Right to Appoint Committees ;
and that the Lower Houfe had never before refus'd to
comply with fuch an Appointment. That by their
Refufal, they had difobey'd the Authority of the Pre-
fident and Bifliops, and broken the intercourfe be-
tween" the Two Houfes. That for this ihey might
have proceeded agiinft them, by Canonical Admoni-
tions and Cenfures, which had hitherto been forborn:
But that till tbey return'd to their Duty, Bufinefs could
not proceed. That their Reafons ofFer'd for their Ju-
ftification, were founded upon plain miftakes both of
Right and Faci. That they aflbm'd to tbemfelves to
be an Independent Body ; Whereas the whole Convo-
cation is but one Body ; and both Houfes were always
continued and prorogu'd with one Inftrument or Adfc;
and that of this Body, the Archbiihop was the Head.
That the Aim of the Motion to have the Books in-
fpedted, was to prevent Miftakes, and take away all
Occafion of Difputes and Controverfies between the
Two Houfes. That their complaint of wanting for-
mer Journals, as if tbey had a Right to keep them
(if they knew vtheie) was very unreafonable and un-
juft. That the Regifters and AA Books of both Houfes,
belong*d to the Archbiihop. That the Ancient Regi-
fters were in the Library at Lambeth, where they bad
free Accefsto them. That had they met, the Bifhops
might have fatisfy'd thofe of the Lower Houfe, that
their Adjourning tbemfelves, ^c. were not only Ille-
gal, but of dangerous Confequence. And therefore
they move that they*l confider of their Irregulari-
ty, (3c.

The Paper againft the Bifhop of Snrum being brought
up*, the Archbiihop mov'd for the Particulars of their
Charge againft his Book : And waiting fome Time for
them to no purpofe, Adjourn'd ro June the 13th.

A Committee of Bilhops, declar'd their Judgment as
to the extraordinary fteps of the Lower Houfe.

r. * Upon Occaiion of the complaint againft the Bi-

* (hop of Snrum^ They declar'd it their Opinion, That

* the Lower Houfe had no manner of Power, judici-

* ally to Cenfure any Book : That they ought not to

'have

6o8 Some Hifloncal Addition t Ch a p. X V 1 1 [.

-^>i. i-oi.^ have entred upon the Examination of a Book of any
BiHiop of this Church, without firft acquainting the
Preiident and Bilhops : That their Cenfunng the Bi-
fhop of Snrums Book in general Terms, without men-
tioning the particular Paifages on which the Cenfurc
was gfv^unded , was defamatory and fcandalous :
That that Biliiop by his excellent Hijiory of the
Reformation, approv'd by both Houfes of Parlia-
ment, and other Writings, had done great Service
to the C of H, and delerv'd the Thanks of their
Houfe : And that tho' private Pcrfons may expound
the Articles of the Church, yet that it could not be
proper for the Convocation at this Time to approve,
and much leis to condemn fuch private Expofitions.
2. As to the Altercation between the Prolocutor and
the Bifhop of Bangor^ they declared they were of Opini-
nion, that the Bimop had made a true and juft Report
of the Anfwer made him at the Door of the Hoafe :
That the Prolocutor made the fame Anfwer in EfFedl to
the Archbifhop in the Houfe : That the Paper read by
the Prolocutor in the Houfe, was not about the irregu-
larity complained of, but to introduce a Complaint
againft the Bifliop of Samm which had no Relation to
it : That the Prolocutors Anfwer was fuch, as by no
Means ought to have been given, by him, to the Arch-
bifhop, or any Member of that Houfe.

5. As to Dr. Verney and the reft of the Diflenters
from the Majority in the Lower Houfe, they declar'd it
their Opinion that they had behav'd themfelves as of
Right and Duty they ought to do : They had main-
tained the juft Rights of Convocation, and deferv'd the
Protediion of the Upper Houfe : That the Prolocutor
and fome others of the Lower Houfe, had violated the
Methods of Proceedings in Convocation, endangcr'd
the Conftitution of the Church, and been guilty of ma-
nifeft Difobedience and Contempt.

June the 20th, the Prolocutor appeared in the Upper
Houfe; and the Archbilhop told him ^as before,) that
he could receive no Paper but that containing the Par-
ticuliarities of the general Charge againft the Biihop of
Sarums Expofition^ which at that Bifhops requeft: he was
ready to receive. The Prolocutor faying he had Two
Papers, but could not prefcnt the one without the other,
without the Dircdtion of the Lower Houfe, went back

for

Chap. XVIII. after the Revolution in 1 688. 609

for the Opinion of the Houfe, but did not return, till An. 1761.
the Convocation was prorogued to Auguft the 7th, and
thence to Sej>t ember i\\^ \%i\\, till' the Parliament was
DilTolv'd, and the Convocation with it. :\

And here 1 Ihail take Notice olf the lilflory of this xhe Hlfior^
Convocation^ that firft met pn February 6, I700, which of the Con-
was publilh'd at large in 1701. I mention it here for yocation ti$
fome Rcafons that will be obvious. It is faid to be 1700. /\to.
Fnithfully drawn from the Journal of the ZJpper^ and from
the Narrative and Minutes of the Lower Houfe, The Au-
thor in his Preface reflects on the Narrative of the Pro-
ceedings of the Lower tioufe^ as drawn np in haft and iii
Anger, never ordered by a full Houfe in any proper .
Seffion, and read and debated in intermfdate Conveii^
lions only. He alks how the Lower Ho(fe came to
a Power of publiihing any Synodical Affairs without
the Concurrence of the Upper, or the Knowledge of
thePrefident? He fays there was much difguifc and
fubterfuge in the Edition of the. Narrative: And that
- the publiflier of it, was not mafter of the Argument ;
and either not well inftrudted in his Caafe, or not well
difpos'd to report it. He fays, That the late AlTembly
Men would not Adjourn to the Day given by Autho-
[ rity, but carried their Difobedience a ftep beyond the
I Neighbouring Prcsb)tery; and touches on many un-
l warranted Affertions and Kefle(5tions in the Preface to
; thi Narrative, He takes Notice that the Original Mi-
nutes of this Lower Houfe were not preferv'd, but had
been all Burnt or otherwife deftroy'd • But that all that
remained, was an A£l: Book of the Lower Houfe, not
drawn out of the very Minutes of each preceding Day^
upon fre(h Memory, by the /^cftuarv himfelf; but the
Work of a Committee toward the end of the Seffion,
to make up a Narrative rather than a journal, more to
i'lftifie themfelves, than to deliver naked Matter
of Fadt.

In the entrance on the Hifi^ry^ the Narrative is Re-
fle(5):ed on, for faying that the Righrs they claim are
indifputably clear, and necclfary to the very Being of
^ Convocation. If it be fo, this Author fays we have
had no Convocation in Being thefe 400 Years. As to
the Temper boafted of, he fays ihe World will Read
And Judge, He fays that Men of Defign may inforni
the Clergy, that their Rights and Privlledges depend

R r on

6lo Some Hiilorkdl Additions Chap. XV 111.

An. lyoi.on frequent and uninterrupted Convocations; but if
their Scheme (hould prevail, and the inferiour Qergy
be bound to a continu d Attendance during the whole
SclHons of every Parliament, it would be foon found
the Burden of the Church, and the Oppreflion of the
Clergy. He fides with, and vindicates Dr. K^nnet
about the Atchiepi/cofal Mandate ; and when he has
done it makes this Remark: That in an Hiftorical
Subjed:. if Writers fail for want of Light and Know-
ledge, it is fomewhat excufable ; but when once they
come to invent, and to impofe their Inventions, for
difgracing an Adverfary, and deceiving a Reader, it
muft be downright want of Sincerity and Confcicnce.
Refle(flions are all along inferred upon the Paffagesand
Proceedings of the Lower Houfe, and alfo upon the
Karraiive, He obferves that the Lower Houfe firft
exempted themfelves from Obligation as to the Place
which the Archbilhop Adjodfn'd them to ; by Degrees
they exempted themfelves as to the Time alfo, nil at
length they entirely rejedked the Authority of the Sche-
dule. Firft they pleaded for a Tacit, and then they
came to an exprefi Ccnfent to their own Prorogation ;
by which they took away the natural Senfe of the Pro-
locutors intimation ; For none can want to have their
own Will and Pleafurc intimated to them. There are
many fuch Remarks made in the Courfe of this
Hiftory.

There are alfo fome other PalTages to be there met
with, one of which I think it proper to take No-
tice of.

When on Afril the 8th, Dr. Finch return d from the
Upper Houfe to the Lower, with an Account that no
Meffage would be receiv'd from them for want of the
Prolocutors Prefence, the Dean of Glccefter in fome re-
fcncmcnt took Occafion to fay, that fmce the Upper
Houfe denied this Correfpondence with them, it was
row Time for the Ho ife to return their Thanks to
Mr. Atterhury, for his learned Pains in AflVrimg and
Vindicating the Rights of Convocation. LTpon which
it was warmly Debated, and the Form of Thanks be-
ing pr.ipos'd to be chang'd, from learned Pains in Ajfer"
thig arid Vindicating^ into his Endeavours to Ajfert and
Vnidicafc, upon a Divifion of the Houfe, it was carry 'd
as dcfign'd, in the Affirmative. And then the Prolocurot

faid.

Chap.XVin. afterthe K evolution in 1 6^^. 6ll

■^aid, Mr. Archdencon of Totnefs I and this Hcufe (no Par- ^»' i l^J-

liameorary Phrafe fays the Author of ihe Hiftory) re-

tun you our Thanks^ 8cc. Upon which Vote a Letter

was afterwards fent to that Univerfiry, That whereas

Mr. Francis Atterbury, /^f^ o/Chrift Church had fo hap^

ply Ajferted the Bights and Pr hi ledges of an EngHfh C(?«-

vocation, m to merit the folemn Thanks of the Lovper Hou/e

of it, for hfs learned Pains on that Subjeff. *-^It migb^

he hop d the ZJniverfity would not be iefl forward in takjng

fome publick^ Notice of fo great a Piece cf Service to the

Church. And that the moft proper and feafenable marl; of

J^'Jps^ to him, would be to confer on him the Degree of Dr.

of Divinity by diploma^ without doing- Exercife^ or pacing

Fees: "Which was accordingly done.

Many other Particulars are contain'd in this Hiflory^
not to be elfewhere met with : The taking diftindt No-
tice of which would not confift with my defigned
Brevity.

About this Time alfo, Dr. Hody^ publifli'd A Biflory Dr. Hody*i
of Englifli Councils and Convocations-^ And of the Clergies Hijlory of
fitting in Parliament, Sec. in 8vo. In his Preface, hQ^^uncils
promifes a faithful and impartial Hiftory ; without ^^^^ ConyH"
adding, concealing, or falfe Colouring. He fignifies ^^^f^^"^'
that he had perus'd the Ancient Records of the Archbi-
Ihops of Canterbury, and examin'd the Edition of our
Engiijh Councils. He declares himfelf an adverfary to
no Man; and promifes not to go out of his Way to
find Faults in other Mens Writings ; but that where he
notes them, 'twas becaufe they lay direcStly in his Way.
He fays he had no inclination to thofe modifli Figures
f'f Writing, Raillery and Contempr. And yet he
couldnotforbear with indignation to take Notice of fomd
laie Retleftions on the prefent Government both in
Church and State.

He begins with afi Account of the Members of P^^e i>
^X/hicn an Engllfh Convocation is made up, which have "^c.
been in fome Refped;s different at feveral Times, and
lipon feveral Occafions. He confiders a Convocation, p. 12,
either in itfdf as it is a S>nod, and c.ail'd by the Arch-
biOiops Mandate, or as it is a part of the Parliament,
and fummon'd by a Royal Writ directed to each parti-
cular Bilhop. He fays the Prxmunicntes Writ has fel-
dom been executed by any Bilhop, or if executed, never
^^e£lually obey'd: Neither has it been exped:ed it

R r 2 Ihould

6 1 2 Some Hijiorical Additions Chap. XVIII.

Am. lyoi.lhould be. He gives an Account of Ancient Synods;

P. 14. fome H^elcb, others under Augufiine firft Archbifhop of
Cnnteibwy^ 8cc. He obferves tbac in old Times they
often held their Councils in open Fields, upon the Bank

P. 34. of fome River, and under fome great Oak. He men-
tions the Synods and Councils of the 9ch Century.

p. 51. They confifted not only of Bifhops, but of other the moft

p ^^ Famous and Wife Men. He proceeds to the Synods
and Councils of the loih Century. In this Time the
married Clergy or Seculars^ were turn'd out of Mona-
fteries and Cathedral Churches, and [{eguUrs put in

p go their Places. He goes on to thofe in the i nh Century,
before the Ccnquep. Where the Author obferves, That
all thofe Charters in which Exemptions are pretended
to be granted to Monafteries before the ConqueSi are

P. 106. rpurious. He touches on the Laws of King Edward
the Confeffor : And it is is obferv'd out of an Ancient
Writer, that even in the Confetfors Time, as well as
afterwards under the Conqueror, c^c. the Clergy were
reprefented by Two Prodlors fent up from every Arch-
deaconry and Deanry, as the Commons by their Knights

p. 125. of Shires and Burgeffes : But he fays 'tis forg'd. He
then conliders State Councils or Parliaments after the
Conquer ^ and how far the Clergy were concerned in them.

p. 1 32. He gives a Lift of Bifhops and Abbots and other Eccle-
fiafticks, who held o(fVilIiam the Conqueror as Tenants
in Capite: He obferves that many Presbyters were fok

^- M5- . He goes on to Parliaments under the Conqueror. He
obferves that in thofe Times, the Mafters of Chancery
and of the Rolls, the Clerks in Chancery, and of the
Two Benches and of the Exchequer, were all Clergy-
men; And the Clerks of the Kings Courts being ftiU
Mrn in Holy Orders, all Livuigs in the Kings Gift,
not exceeding the value of lo Marks were therefore put
into the Hands of the Lord Chancellor, to be difpos'd
' of arr,ong fuch Servants of his Majefty, as he faw

deferv'd. The Clerks of Parliament were alfo Clergy-
men : And no longer fince than 1551, the Clerk of the

P- 1 74 Parliament was Prolocutor of the Lower Houfe of Con-

P. 18$. vocation. He comes next to Parliaments under l^niliim
{i.)P.2io- /^/^yTj^j . ^qJ fo tQ thofe under Henry I j and thofe under
S^)^*'^' Ring Strphc?n (f.) Under Hw> the II: (2) Under
C^'^Pidl^ /<^/V'4rti I: (3.) Under King Joh;. '4.: Under Hen-
U )P i^ r; 111. (5.) He confidcrs how far the inferiour Clergy
'^ ■ ^ were

Chap. XVIII. after the Revolution in \ 62^. 615

were concern'd in Parliament, after Edwardl, (6.) And -^'*- 170'-
after many Remarks made upon the Pr<£municvtes Claufe, (6.) P.37 1 .
he concludes that it was continud in the Writs, afcer
it became a conftant Cuftom for the Clergy to meet in
a feparate Body by Vertue of the Archbilhops Man-
date, that thereby our Princes might alTert their Right
of calling the Clergy (if they pleafe) to Parliament ;
which the Clergy opposed, as an invafion and inroad ^ >, p
upon their Liberties. (7.) ^^'^ '^^^'

In the Third Part of his Hiftory, He gives an Ac-(8.)P.i.&c.
count of Synods under the Archbilhops Stigand and Lan- (9.) p. 2 j.
frtmc: (8.) In the Time of Anfelm and William Corhel6ic.
Archbifhops : (9,) In the Time of Archbifliop Theobald: ('io.)P.4o.
(10.) Under Hemy II. in the Time of Theobald^ Thomas "^c.
Beckety s,nd [{jcbard Archbilhops: (11.) Under i(/cA4r^ I. (' i')^-<^o.
in the Time of Baldmn and Hubert Archbilhops;^'^-
(li.) Under King John in the Time of Hubert and Ste- >*^'<'f*Z
pljen Langton Archbilhops, (13.) Under Heny ^^^' ^^(\^Ap'qq\
the Time of Stephen Langton^ S. Edmund and Boniface ^ / ^ ^ \' p
Archbilhops. ( 14. j He proceeds, to give an Account of , 35 ^c.
Convocations in the Reign of Edward 1, under John (i^.) p,
Ftckham and I\pbert Winchelfee Archbilhops; (15.) Ift 165. ~
the Reign oi EdivnrdW. under Robert Wincheljee a4id (17.) P.
l^ulter Reynolds Archbilhops. (16.) In the Reign of 179.
Edvard III, under I{eymlds, Mepham, Stratford, IJJip, (18.) P.
Langham, VVittlefey^ and Sudbury Archbilhops. (ij-) In ^^9-
the Reign of I{ichardH. under Sudbury, Courtney, and C'9-) ^•
^rww^e/ Archbilhops. (18.) In the Reign of /^^«>7 IV. ^45-
under Archbilhop y^/wwie-/. (10) In the Reign of Hen. y®*^ "•
ry V. unditv Arundel and Chichley Archbilhops. (lo.) Ex- ^^ * > p
traces out of the Parliarrent Rolls of Hemy VL relating 277.
to Convocations. C2i.) Convocations in the Reign (22.)?,
of Edward IV. under Archbifliop Bowchier. (21.) In 279.
tlie Reign of Hsnry VU. under Archbilhop Mor- (21.) J?#
-*<»«. fl3.) 280.

Together with the new Parliament, the King fuiij- TheFro-r
mon'd a new Convocation. Dr. Sherlock, preach'd a ceerf;«^5 of
I,atin Sermon at the opening it, from Jude v. 3. Dr. fVood^ the new
W4r^Dean o^Sarum (a Civilian grown Popular fays my Conyo-
Author, by oppoling his Diocefan to whom he ow'd \i\%cation.
Preferments) carried it for Prolocutor, from Dr. Beve-
ridge Archdeacon of Colchejier, The Two Houfes agreed
in an Addrefs to his Majcfty, which was prefented on
Jan, 2%* SL^Jf^enfingtono

6l4 Some Hifiorical Additions Chap. XVIII*

Ait. i7or. They fignifyM therein to hfs Majefty the deep Re-
fentment every cne of them had, at their firft hearing
of the great Indignity which the French King ofTer'd to
His Majel^y and His People, in declaring the pretend-
ed P ince of fV^^ics to be King of his Majefty's Realnns
and Dominions. They renew'd their Proteftations of
a firm and unftiaken Allegiance: And alTur'd his Maje-
fty, they would do their utmoft Endeavours in their
refprdhvc Places and Stations, to Maintain his right-
ful Title, and the SuccelTion in the Proreftant Line as
by Law Eftablifh'd, againit the faid pretended Prince,
and all other HisMajefty's open and fecret Enemies, C^c.
And the King gave them a Gracious Anfwer.

There was however a great Difference between the
Two Houfes, and between the Members of the Lower
Houff, about the Right of Adjournment. This Diffe-
rence was heightened on Jan, 28. For then a Member
of rhe Lower Houfe mov'd to change the Form of
Entry in their Minutes, and to ufe the Phrafe, of Do-
rtiinus Prolocutor Continunvit (^ Prorogazit quoad banc
Domum ; and it was done accordingly : The Prolocutor
in his own Nanic, continu d and prorogued that Houfc,
inftep.d of intimating that it was continu'd and Pro-
rogu'd. /

This was excepted againft by fevera! Members on
Veh'-. 1 . But it was carry'd by a Majority, that there
• fhonid be no A teraiion, and that the Matter fliould
7)Ot rhen bf: furrher debated : And when the Schedule
of P'orpf^ation came down from the Upper Houfe, it
;>^a^ laid afide, while the Houfe was proceeding to other
I'uiiiiefs. A Mem'^er mov'd that the Meffage deliver'd
to the Prolornror might be Communicated to the Houfe,
w!i!ch he tho't they had a Right to infift on • the Majo-
rity Qppos'd him, and they went on to appoint a Com-
mittee of Grievince?. And then the Prolocutor Ad-
journ'd as by rhe Authority of the Houfe, and the
Dilf-nting Members Protefted by Word of Mouth;
and before rhe next Meeting, put their verbal Protefta-
t^on into Writing. On l\-hr. p. a Motion was made,
ihat that Proteftation might be admitted and entred, as
a iVanding Evidence of their alferiing the juft Rights .
..nd A' thoritv of the Prefident. This was oppos'd by
-a Majority. But Dr. BcverUge propos'd a Qneftion,
I4^,jitber upon Suppofition that the Houfe may fit upoti Syno-

4ical

Chap. XVIII. after the Revolution in i68S. 615

dical Bufjnefiy dfter the coming down of the Schedule, till An. lyol.
they think their Bufinejl over^ the Hcufe would agree thnt
the Schedule fhould be then executed^ and the Houfe Pro-
rogud to the Day and Hour there jpecifyd^ by Vertue of the
faid Schedule, and in Obedience to the Authority whereby
the whole Convocation woi Prorogud, To evade anfwer-
ing this Queftion it was at laft agreed, that a Commitiee
fhould be appointed to confider of fuch an expedient
about the Prorogation of the Lower Houfe, as might
tend to the compo(ing of Difputes: And Eight were
fix'd on one fide, vi:{. Dr. Hooper^ Dr. Jane, Dr. Aldrich^
Dr. Atterbury^ Dr. Binck^s, Mr, Needham, Mr. Moory
and Di. PVynne: And Eight on the other Side; vi:(.
Dr. Beveridge , Dr. Hnyley, Dr. H-^illfs y Dr. K^nneP,
Dr. Trimnel, Dr. Prideaux, Dr. Green, and Mr. Lloyd,
And this Committee meeting Febr, 10, Agreed, That no
Forms of Prorogation fhould be us'd b) the Prolocutor here-
after^ that were net Uid before the lait Convocation : That
the Forms Ui*dby the Prolocutor in the Convocation of j 586,
4nd 1588, fhould hereafter be us'd by the Prolocutor in the
Order they lie in the Bocl{s, beginning with the Firft till
they are aU gone through ; And that they fhotdd be pronounced
by the Prolocutor^ when the Houfe agreed that their Bufinefl
was over. After this, fome boalted of the Advantage
gain'd on the Side of the Lower Houfe, and that the
Archbiihops Friends had given up his Caufe; and ex-
cluded the Schedule from any concern in the Adjourn*
ment. To obviate which Senfe, fome prepar'd a Paper
againft the next Seflion, in which they declar'd, That
they underftood the latter part of the Agreement aforefaid,
with an Exc^f^on to any Cafe^ when the Pre/ident f/oould
fee Caufe to J end an Order with the Schedule^ fi^^^fy^f^g the
exprefl Time of intimating the V'Orogation upon that Day :
Otherwife if it were pretended to mean^ that the Authority
of the Archbifhop, or any Order fent from tbe "Upper Hwfe^
W^t thereby excluded or diminijh'd, they then folemnly prO"
tefted againfi any fuch meaning or intended meaning l
Which was brought to be offer'd to the Houfe, on

Febr. 1%,

The Eight Members alfo drew up a Declaration o£
their Senfe, in which they fignify'd, among other
Things, that they refused an Alteration that was ofFer'd
on the Third Article of the Agreement foremention*d^
'si^. That the Form fhould not be pronounc'd by the Prolocu-

R r 4 t^or^

41 6 Some Hiftorical Additions Chap. XVIIT.

An. 1701. tor till the Hotife ngreed that their Bufinep xpas over: This
they refus'd, becaufe tho' they might generally prefuine
upon the Archbilhops confent for their futing to dif-
patch all proper Bufinefs; yet they could not agree to
any Thing that fliould preclude his Right to Prorogue
them immediately if he found it expedient: And that
they us'd the Words protiounc'dly the l^rolcciitor, loprc-
vem the putting any Queftion to the Houfe about Ad-
journing thewfelva ; and that the Prorogation might be
always to the Time and Place appointed by the
Schedule,

Xk\Febr. IX. The ProJocutor being indi(pos*d, ap-
pointed the Dean of Chrift Church to Ad: as bis Depu-
ty; And a Deputy fo appointed, had been accepted,
had Apphcation been duly made to thePiefident to Ap-
prove and Confirni him. But no fuch Application being
made, the Archbiftiop fent for the Clergy, and pro-
f f gu*d the Convocation to the 1 4tb, telling them that
sin, incident had happen d of great Moment, which
he and his Brethren muft take time to confider of.

On Febr. 13. Dv.fVoodxvard the Prolocutor died, in
his Lodgings zttVJlminJier^ in very unhappy Circum-
ftances. (Says my Author) The Archbifhop on the
14th told the inferiour Clergy he was much furpriz'd at
the News of it, and adjourned them to the 19th. The
Prolocutor before his laft Sicknefs, had complain'd
rtvuch of his Bilhop, my Lord of Snrum^ on Account of
his Breach of Priviledge in his Treatment of him. The
Cafe was thus: The Bilhop Yifiting his Clergy, The
Clergy paid their Attendance : But the Dean of Sarum
dechn'd appearing as Redor of Pef//;, wii^out making
a reafonable Excufe ; nay, rarher aggravated his Ab-
fence with Contempr. The Bifhop order'd a Citation
in the ulijal Method. When the Time of Priviledge
afterwards commenc'd, he ordred his Chancellor to pur a
^tet upon the Caofe, and there was no farther Proceed^
ing. Upon this a formal Complaint was on Febr,^,
piicfenred 10 the Upper Houfe, in which this was repre-
fcnted not only as an unlawful Molcrtation of a Mem-
ber of the Lower Houfe, but an injury offer'd to the
whole Body of the Convocation, in the Perfon of the
Referendary between the Two Houfes of it. The Arch-
biftiop and Biihops anfwer'd, that the Proceedings re-
ferred to, were begun when there was no Priviledge^
♦ and

Ch3ipW\\L after the Revolution in 1688. 617

and that upon the opening of the prefent Convocation ^«. 1701,
a Stet was put upon the Caufe, nor was there any Cita-
tion of Procefs decreed fince.

But thefe Matters were canvafs'd wiihoi^t Doors as
well as within : yind a faithful Account of what p^H in
Contocation was pijbhih*d in Three Letters, Ntimb. i, 2, 3.
Whrre there are Hints of a fetled Refolution taken, of
rendring Convocations infignificant and ufclefs. The
Author in his firft Letter fays that for nefar 150 Years
paft, there is no one Inftance of the Confirmation of a
Deputy Prolocutor above . nor any Ground or Co-
lour to believe that the Bifliops at ail inrermedied
with it.

On Fehr, 19. the Archbifliop difmifs'd the Clergy
with a Speech : In which taking Occafion from their
Complaint of the Biftiop of Sarum, he tells them, ' he

* hopes for the Future, they would not be furpriz'd in-

* to Complaints, but would ftay till they wereaffur'd

* they were well grounded both in Xi^l^i^ and FaSi. He

* adds that the Choice of a new Prolocutor would not

* now be fo feafonable, for that many Members were
' abfent, attending their refpedfcjve Cures; and that a

* War was breaking out, which would turn Mens

* Tho'ts another Way : And that therefore he intended
" a Prorogation. He tells them their Heats had given

* great Offence, even to thofe that underftand not.
the Nature of the Controverfv, but were concern'd,

* that there fiipuld be any Differences among fuch as

* were by Profeflion the Minifters of the Gofpel of

* Peace, &c.' The Prorogation was to M4rc/j 5. The
Second Letter now came out. The Author fays that
his Grace was pleasM to read his Speech; and that more
Members now attended than were prefent at the Choice
gf the laft Prolocutor: That more came to Town upon.
this Occafion than had left it to go to their Curesj and he
left his Friend to gnefs whether their Prefence might not
be a truer Reafon for the putting off the Ele^fiion than the
others Abfence. He adds, that fuch hindrances as thofe
mention'd had not been thought fufHcient in other In-
fiances ; And that there was not even a War wanting
in 1666 to call oflF Mens Minds from Convocational
Bufinefs. He intimates that the fear of an Accommo-
dation of their Differences was the Occafion of thefe
unprecedented Proceedings. And in the Third Letter,

■ , . - .-■.... ■ he

6 1 8 Some Hifhrical Additions Chap. XVIII.

An. lyoihe carps at the Rcprefentation given by the Upper
Hoiifc of the Proceedings of the Bifhop ofSarum againft
his Dean, and (hews the Grounds they went on in their
Complaint.

About this Time came out an Expedient froposd^ in
Anfwer to the R^ight of the Archbifhop to Continue and
Prorogue the whole Convocation afferted. The Author fays.
That there is no one Church throughout the Chriftian
World more remarkable for Unity, and a good Corrc^
fpondence between its Members than the C. of E. as by
Law EftablifliM, from the Time of its firft throwing
out the Superftition and Corruption of Popery, to its
Second Deliverance from ^mifh Tyranny and Op-
prelfion ; But that fince, the Clergy have fallen out
among themfelves, and from little mifunderftandings
are in danger of breaking out into a Flame.- And where-
as Divifions in the Church us'd to be heal'd by Synodi-
cal Aflemblies and Councils, Things have been fo ma-
naged by the fomenters of the Differences, as to make
the very Meetings of the Clergy anOccafion of warmer
Difpiues. He obferves that from the very Time that
the DiflTenters were by Law indulg'd, the Clergy of
the Eftablilh'd Church found themfelves abridgd of
their Ancient Priviledges. He afcribes the Differences
between the Two Houfes, very much to the miftakes
which both of them fell into, upon the Bifliaps changing
their Houfe, and removing to Jertifnlem Chamber, leaving
' the I ower Houfe to fit in HewyWW Chappel. And
the main of the Expedient propos'd, is that the Lower
Houfe fliould agree always to Adjourn to the' Day to
which the Archbifhop AdjournMrhe Upper Houfe, that
they might be always ready to attend him where they
were f-nt for. This was anfwer'd in a Letter to the Au-
thor of the pretended Expedient, which told him that an
Expedient muft begin in owning the Authority of the;
Metropolitan and his Suffragans : Whereas what he pro-
pos'd, referv'd the Authority of Adjourning the Lower
Houfe to themfelves : And that Grievances may
be redrcfs^d, but a Power fo elTential to the Conftitution
maft not be parted with. Another Anfwer alfo came
out, Entituled, {{efleHions upon a Inte Paper, Ent. 4n Ex-
pedient propos'd : This Author charges that Paper, as be-
ing rather an Inve(5livc againft the Upper Houfe, than
an Expedient for reconciling them to the Lower.

/ Aftec

Chap. XVIII. afUr the Revolution in 1688. 619

After the Archbifhops Speech, with which fome were An. 1701.
well fatisfy'd, others difcover'd their great diflatisfaition. ^^^^ ^^^
They met again Two Days after, and chofe a Chair- riageofthe
man or Moderator. And when the Day came to c/et^y,
which both Houfes had been Prorogu'd, they meeting
the Bifliop of Lincoln^ who as the Archbilhops Com-
mifTary had Prorogu'd the Convocation to a farther
Day, begg'd him to carry a MelTage to the Archbilhop,
of their defire to proceed to the Choice of a Prolocutor.
He offered to take their Senfe in Writing. Thereupon
they cry'd out that it was the Vmnimom defire of the
Loxver Houfe of Convocation, ^c. One prefenc oppos'd,
and faid that they were not a Houfe, and that many
Members did not alTent to fuch a MefTage ; and that
at moft it could with Truth run only in the Name of
fever aI Members of the Lower Houfe. This rais'd a new
Clamour ; and the Member who thus openly Diffented,
was feverely reflected on^. And the King dying within
a few Days after, the Convocation was Diffolv'd ; tho'
fome would gladly have had it continu'd, becaufe the
Parliament did fo: The Lawyers declar'd it could
not be. And when they made an Attempt to have
it continu'd by an extraordinary Claufe added in fome
'-Parliamentary Bill, the Attorney General declared it
was againft the Queens Ecclefiaftical Supremacy ; up-
on which they were forc'd to acquiefce in its Diflb^
lution.

Our Glorious King 0^illiam died at KJnfmgtov^ on^*'*^ ^i^'
Mtrch 8, 170'. The Hiftorian li^msDeatk

who wrote his Life*, fays, That

tho he publickly frofefs'd the Efiu- * ^'^ ^^'^ '^^'"^^ Volume in

hliflod [^eligior?, yet he fti/I retained ^^""""^ P* 5«7.
a great Tendemejl for the Dijfen-
ters^ and was ever averfe to Perfeeute People on the
yiccount of their Belief, And he

elfewhere f intimates, That he t preface to Volume Firfl,
was by fome looked on as one -P^^ ^V*
voho by Tolerating all {{eligionSy
intended to overturn' the Eftnblifyd Church. The
former Pan of this Charadier argu'd him to have
a juft Senfe of the Rights of Humane Nature, as well
as of the true Intereft of Britain : The Latter, is a Re-
flexion that difcovers at once the Ingratitude, Igno-
rance, and Bigotry, of thofe that made it. He had in-
deed

620 Some Hifiorkal Additions Chap. XIX.

An. 1701. deed a Regard to the DifTcnccrs, and yet they were not
even in his Reign intireiy free from Hardlhips. He
knew they were Hrm in his Intereft, and true to his Ti-
tle, and faithful in his Service; and they never gave
him any uneafinefs : It is not therefore to be wondrcd
he fhould difcover a good Opinion of them. Perhaps
the Time may come, when that may prove not to be to""^
their Difadvantage. They not only at firft cxtoU'd him '^
as their Deliverer from Popery and Slavery, bat in the
whole courfe of his Reign ('which vilibly aim d at the
Publick Good) they carried it to him with the Refpeft
that was due to the great Defender of the Liberty of
Europe : None more heartily Lamented the unfpeakable
Lofs which the Nation fuftain'd by his Death, or arc to
this Day more grateful to his Memory ; or more thank-
ful for the Settlement of the Succeffion to the Crown in
the Proteftant Line, which muft be afcfib'd to his
tender Concern for the fecuhng our Liberty and Reli-
l^ion, to our Pofterity after us.

CHAP. XIX.

An Account of the Cafe of the Dijfenters^
and of other material Incidents in the
Reign of ^een ANNE, till the pajfing
the Bill again(l Occafional Conformity,
?« 1 7 1 1 .

K

ING PVilliam was no fooner dead, than ihq

Diflfenters felt the Effedts of the Change. They

that bore them ill Will before, and were ready

to reflect upon them on all Occafipns, now openly Tri-

umph'di and tho* their Hands were tied before, feem'd

now to conclude they ihould have full Liberty to deal

with them as they pleas'd ; and talked of nothing lefs

than fupprefling them. This was common in the City:

And in fcveral Parts of the CouBtry, they talk'd of pul-

* New- ^^"^ down the Meeting Houfes, as Places not fit to be

caftle under fuff^r d. A|id in one Town * they a6tually went to

Line. Work, as foon as ever the Tidings of the Kings Death

• reach'd

Chap. XIX. after the Revolution in i6^Q, 621

reach'd ihcm. Several Sermons were preached, and Pam->1». 1703^
phlecs difpers'd to blacken them as much as was poflibJe.
And fuch a violent Temper difcover'd itfelf on a fud-
den, and fucn an inclination to Heat and Fury, as
plainly fliew'd the Parties afFeded to have been kept
under an unnatural fort of Reftraint before. Some that
had taken the Oaths to King fVilli/im, ftiew'd that they
did not love him by Afperfing his Memory. He was
bred lip amongftche Presbyterians, and on that Account
whatever, he faid or did, they could never think faim a
true Friend of their Church : But having now a Queen
Upon the Thirone, that was bred up in the Way of the
Church of England^ they threatened Revenge upon thofe
who had done them no other Injury, than the modeft
ufing the Liberty that had been Legally granted them
amounted to. But Her Majefty openly declaring for
the fame Meafures as had been purfu'd in the laft Reign,
and the Houfe of Peers appearing Zealous for the Me-
mory of King fP'i/liam, it was a curb and a check to
them.

Among the many Addrefles prefented to Her Majefty
at the firft entrance on Her Reign, the Diffenting Mi-
nifters in and about the City, of all the Three Deno-
minations, Presbyterians, Congregational ^ and Antifa-
dobaptifts. Waited on Her in a Body, with Dr. Daniel
fVil/iams at the Head of them, with the following
Addrefs, Signd by all their Hands ; which was after-
wards inferted in the Gazette, of March 13 170',

To Her moft Excellent Majefty^ Anm^ by the Grace
of God, Queen of England^ Scotland, France, and
!■ eland. Defender of the Faith, &c.

MoFt Gracioui Sovereign,
' \\/ E Your Majefty's moft Loyal and Dutiful Sub-
^ ' jeds, the Proteftant Diffenting Minifters in

* and about the City of London, crave leave humbly

* to Reprefent the deep Senfe we have of the unfpeak-

* abieLofs, We and all Your Majefty's good Subjed^S

* fuffer by the Death of our late Glorious Monarch,
' fVilIiam the Third.

, * But herein we are moft fenfibly and effed^ually

* Relieved, by Your Majefty's moft Happy and Peace-
l able Succeflion to thefe Crowns, whofe rightful and

* un^

6i2 Some Hifiorjcal Additions Chap. XIX»

wl«. 1702 * undoubted Title we acknowledge with the greateft

* Sincerity, and whofe conftant Zeil for the Proteftant
' ReJigion is fo juftly Rcnown'd: For fll which, with

* Unfcign'd Joy, we Blefs and Adore the Divine

* Goodncfs.

' We farther beg leave to AlTiire Your Majefty of

* our moit Dutiful AfFedion, and inviolable Fidelity,

* to Your Royal Perfon and Governnfient ; not doubt-

* ing of our Share in the many Bleflings of Your Ma-

* jefty's Wife and Happy Reign, which vre heartily

* Pray may be long over Us.

This w4s the firft Titne that the Three Denominations
appear d together at Court upon fuch an Occaiion ;
and it was de(ign*d hereby to manifeft to thofe who
Were common Enemies to them all, that their Diffe-
rences among themfelves were not fuch as hindred
them from maintaining a Brotherly Aflfedion. They
took the Oath to the Government, as it was now al-
ter'd by the Parliament as freely as any Men ; and de-
flr'd and aim'd at nothing but to live Peaceably and
Quietly, ferving God according to their Confciences,
and to their utmoft aflifting and fupportmg the Go-
vernment, in a neceifary, hazardous, and expenlive
War againft the Enemy of the Peace of Europe.

But the Debate about Occafionnl Conformity, which
had been rais'd in the foregoing Reign, was now revived
. with great Warmth. Few wrote on the Church Side,
but what made this the Matter of their Invedtives and
Cenfuies. The Moderation of the Diflenters towards
the Eftablifh'd Church that was formerly reckon'd a
Vertue, was now reprefented as Criminal, and an Evi-
dence of an ill Defijrn : And that was cry'd down as
flnfulwhen it qualify 'd for an Office, which they had
from the firft Declar'd to be Lawful in their Apprehen-
fion, and had accordingly pradlic'd in a private Capa-
city. It being the defire of many to bring them under
a Popular Odium, this was reckon'd a proper ftep to it.
This was the common Cry of the Leaders of the Party
in the Eledlionof anew Parliament: Andthc Populace
thac are ufually led more by Noife than Realon, gene-
rally gave intoir.

Before the new Parlianicnt which was call'd this
Year (and in Elec5bing which there was a mighty ftruggle)

fate

Chap. XIX. after the RevolHtionin 1688. 625

face down, a Pamphlec came out with this Title, The £- ^». 1702-
ftnbli(hment of the Churchy the Fre/ervation of the State ;
Shewing the Reafonablenefs of a Bill againft Occafional
Conformity : In which the Author undertook to prove the
encouraging Diffenters utterly inconfiftent with that Duty
of Charity that wasow'd them by the Church ; that a ci-
vil Difcouragement of them would be highly agreea-
ble to Religion ; that their Objedtions as to Cruelty,
and with Refped; to Confcience had nothing in them ;
and thai the Countenancing them would be. as little
Politick as Pious. And it was foon follow'd by ano-
ther, call'd, The Cafe of Toleration I{ecogm^y ; in which
a ftrenuous Motion was made for the adding farther
Conditions to the Toleration, and efpecially that of In-
capacitating fuch as had Benefit by it, for all Civil
Employments. And the Author has this remarkable
PaiTage. If the Strength of the Dijfenting Intereji is at
frefent fo confiderahle as to make it dangerous to provoke
them, by impojing Sacramental Tefis, this jsfo far from be-
ing an OhjeBion againji them, that it is a good Argument
for having them. For if their Interefl: is Jo formidable, as
to make it ha:{ardous to offend them, it is full time to ven*
ture their Dijpleaffire, when there k Juch f{eafon to dread
their Power : And if they ar? not fo terrible as they
would maks the iVorld belive they are, it is prudent to pre-
vent their being fo. And he clofes thus ; J dare venture
to conclude with the Words of David, That tho' Father and
Mother fkould forfake us, tho Kings and Queens ftoould
in their turns fuccejfively overlook our Bjghts, yet the Lord
rrill be both a Sun and a Shield ; Light and Prote^ion to
his People, It was Defeated to the Earl of Marlbo^
roughf as to one of udfufpedked Zeal for the Church.
This was anfwer'd in an ingenious Letter to the Author,
by no Occafional, but a conftant Communicant with
the Eftablilhed Church : Who upon his own declar'd
and avowed Principles, pleads for a fimple Toleration,
without any Preternatural Embargoes laid, or to be
laid upon it, according to the unalienable Right of <
Humanity.

The Queen at the opening of the New (and Her
firft; Parliament, OBoh, 21, told them, that She was
refolvd to defend and maintain the Church as by Law £-
fiablijhedy and to protefi them in the full Enjoyment of all
iheir Bjghts and Liberties | but faid not a word of the

ToU'P

6 1 4 Some Hijiorical Additions Chap. XlX.

An. iio'2. Toleration. The Commons in their Addrefs, ORober
17, have thefe words ; iVd neither doubt of the full Eti"
joyrtient of all our Hjglits and Liberties^ nor of Yow Md-
jefties Defjndiyiz and M/iintaining the Church en by Law
Eflnblifhcd. T'ur Majcfty hat been alxvays a mo/} IHuJi'iom
Ornament to this Church, nnd have been exposed to great
J-J.t:^a'dj for if I and thetef ore vo^ f rami fe our feheSy that in
Tiur M^jejlies I{eign, we foal I fee it pcrfecily refiord to iti
due Hjghts and Priviledges^ and fecar^d in the fame to Po-
ferity • which is,only to he done^ by divefiing thoje JVf j/i of
the Pox9er^ who hxve fhewn they t^hnt not the PViU to de*
Jiroy it.

No^. 4. Mr. Bromley, Mr. St. John, and Mr. Annefly^
were ordered to bring in a Bill foir preventing Occafonnl
Conformity. It was read a id time, Nov. 17, and a Mo-
tion made for the Exempting Proteftant Diffenters from
fuch Offices as cannot by Law be executed without re-
ceiving the Sacrament according to the Ufage of the
Church of England, it was carried in the Negative.
The Bill pafs'd the Houfe, and was fent up to the Lords ^
and Deeem. 9. it pafs'd there alfo, with fome Amend-
ments. The Prince was for the Bill, and mo ft of the
Great Officers of the Court ; but a Majority of the
Biihops were for fuch Amendments as occafion'd a Con-
ference between the two Houfes,and at length the drop-
ping of the Bill.

As it now pafs'd the Coitimons, it was to this Pur-
, pofe : That ' As nothing is mure contrary to the

* Profeflion of the Chriftian Religion, and particular^

* Jy torheDodirinc of the Church of England, than Per-
' fecution for Confcience only ; and in due Confide-

* ration of it, an Adl paft in the ift Year of King

* Pf^Ulion and Queen Mary, for the exempting their

* Majefties Proteftant Subjedks diffenting from the
^ Church of England, from the Penalties of certain

* Laws, which Ad: ought inviolably to be obferv'd,

* afid Eafe given to Confciences truly fcrupulous : Ne-

* verchelefs, whereas the Laws provide, that every Per-

* Ton to be admitted into any Office or Employment,

* fhould be conformable to the Church, as by Law E-
ftabliOi'd, by Enading, that every fuch Perfon fo to
be admitted fliould receive the Sacrament of the
Lord's Supper, to qualifie themfelves to have and
enjoy fuch Offices and Eriiploymencs, and do afrer-

' waids

Chap. XIX. after the RevolHtion in 1688. 6 2 f

wards reforc co Conventicles or Meetings for xVt An. 1707/
Exercife of Religion in other manner than according
to the Liturgy, ^c. contrary to the intent and mean-
ing of the Laws already made ; It was therefore
mov'd to be Enad:ed, ^c That if any Perfon or Per-
fons after the Firft Day of March 1707, either Peer^
or Commons, having any Office or Offices, Ci il or
Military, or receiving any Pay, Salary, Fee or Wages^
by Reafon of any Patent or Grant, or having any
Command or Place of Truft under Her Majefty 01:
Her Predeceffors, or by Authority deriv'd from Her
or them ; or that Ihould be admitted into any Service
or Employment reiatibg to the Government of Cities,
Corporations , Burroughs, Cinque Ports and Port
Towns, who by the Laws are oblig'd to receive the
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper according to the Rites
and Ufages of the Church of England; Ihouid at any
Time after their Admiflion into fuch Offices or Em-
ployments, or having fuch Grants, or during their *
eontinuance in them , or injoying Advantage by
them, knowingly and willingly refoirt to, or be pre-
fent at any Conventicle, or Meeting under ^Coloui:
of any Exercife of Religion, in other Manner thaij
according to the Liturgy and Praftice of the "Churcli
of England J at which Conventicle or Aflembly there
fhould be Five Perfons or more Aflembled together,
over and befidesthofe of the fame Houlhold, if in any
Houfe where there is a Family inhabiting; or if in an
Houfe or Place where no Family inhabits, where Five
Perfons or more are fo Affembled ; or fhould know-
ingly and wittingly be prefent at any fuch Meeting,
ahho* the Liturgy be there us'd, in Cafe Her Majefty,
the Queen Dowager, the Princefs Sophia^ or fuch
others as (hall from Time to Time be lawfully ap«
pointed to be Pray'd for, fhall not be PrayM for in
exprefs Words ; fhall forfeit the Sum of One Hundred ,
Pounds, and Five Pounds for every Day that any
fuch Perfons fhould continue in the Execution of fuch
Office or Employment, after their being prefent at
any fuch Conventicle ; to be recovered by him or
them that fhould Sue for the fame, by A6lion of Debt^
Bill, Plaint or Information, in any of the Queen^
Courts at H^ejiminjler, 8cc. —And that every Perfon
Coovi4^ed in any fuch Adion. or upon any Informa-

S r ' iionl

626 Some Hiftoricdl Additions Chap. XIX.

An. lyci.

/

lion, Prefcnrment, or Indi£lmcnt, in any of the
Courts at l^'rftminfier, or at the A/Hzes, Ihould be
difabled from thence forth to hold fuch Offices or
Employments, or to receive any Profit or Advantage
bytheai, G^c And fhould be adjudged incapable to
bear any Ofiice or Employment whatfoever. — And
that if my who fhould have been Convi<^ed, and
thereby made incapable to hold any Office or Em-
ployment, fhould after fuch Convit^ion, Conform
to the Church of EnglnnA^ for the Tpace of One Year,
without having been prefcnt at any Conventicle, and
receive the Sacrament of the Lxjrd's Supper at the
leafl Three Times in the Year, they fhould be capa-
ble of a Grant of any Office or Employment, or of
being Eiedlcd into, or holding of any of the afore-
fa id Offices or Employments. — And that all fo
Convidted and afterwards Conforming, fhould at the
nexr Term after admiflion into any fuch Office, make
Oath in Writing, in fome of the Queens Courts at
IP'eJlminfter^ Publickly, between 9 and 1 2 in the Fore-
noon, or at the next Quarter Seffions for the County
or Place where they refide, that they have Conform'd
to the Church of Englandy for the fpace of One Year
before fuch admiflion, without having been prefent
at any Conventicle; and that they had recciv'd the
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper at the leaf^ Three
Times in the Year; which Oath Ihould be there in-
rolJ a, and kept upon Record. — And finally, That
if any Pcrfon after fuch admifTion into any Office,
fhoujd a Second Time offend in Manner aforefaid,
and be thereof lawfully Convidked, he fhould incur
double the Penalties foremention'd, to be recovered in
the Manner aforcfaid, and forfeit fuch Office or Em-
ployment, and not be capable of having any Office
or Employment, until he had Conform'd for the fpace
of Three Years, in Manner aforefaid ; whereof Oath
to be mads in Writing, in one of the Queens Courts
at i^eflmirifter^ or at the Quarter Seifions of the Coun-
ty where he Reiidcs.

The Lords Amendments were moflly Alterations of
Words and ExprefTions, except the Third of them, by
which they difown'd that every Perfon to be admitted
to any Office or Employment, was by Law obliged to
be iuiirely Conformable to the Church j or that that

was

Chap. XIX. after the RevolntTon in 1688. 6zj

wastbc intention of the Law, when it provided that -«4». 1702.
every Perfon to be admitted to Office Ihould receive the
Sacrament according to the Rites and Ufage of the
Church of England: And except the Alteration of the
Penalties fix'd by the Commons. They brought down
the Forfeiture from 100/. to ao/, of which one Third
to go to the Queen, another Third to the Poor, and the
other Third to the Informer.

And they left out the 5 /. for every Day the Offen-
ders continued in their Office; and all the latter part of
the Bill, with refpedt to future incapacity for Office,'
and the rccapacitating, and the encreafmg the Punifli-
ment for the Second Onence. ^

Their Lordfliips alfo added Five Claufes, by which
they provided, that Oath ihould be made of the Offence
to be punilh'd, before fome Judge or Juftice within
10 Days after Commiflion; and the Profecution be
within Three Months, and the Convidtion upon the
Oath of at leaft Two credible Witnelfes : That Diffen-
ters fliould not be compeU'd to hold any Office or Place,
for which they could not be legally Qualified without
taking the Sacrament : That the Univerfity Churches
might be exempted, where Sermons were preach'd
without Prayers : That fuch as went to the French and
Dutch Churches might be excepted : And that Go-
vernours of Hofpitals, and Afliftants of Corporations
and Workhoufes for the Benefit of the Poor, might be
exempted alfo.

On Jan. 1 6th, there was a Free Conference between ^^'« Confe-
the Two Houfes about thefc Amendments. The Ma- ''^^^^ ^^-
nagers on the part of the Commons, were Mr. Bromley, txp^en the
Mr. Si, John^ Mr. Finch^ Mr. Solicitor General, and '^'^^Hrufes,
Sir Thomoi Pown r On the part of the Lords, the Duke ^'^^t f/;e
of Devon/hire, the E. of Peterborough, the Bifliop of Sa- ^j^afional
rum^ the Lord Somme7Sf and the Lord HnlJifax.

The Managers for the Commons intifiated, ' That

* the intent of this Bill was onlv to reftrain a fcandalous

* Practice, which was a reproach to Religion, and gave

* Offence to all good Chriftians, and to the BeH among

* the Diffenters themfelves. That it enadJ'ed nothing

* N E W, and was only intended to make the Laws in

* Being more Effedual. That this Bill appearM to the

* Commons abfolutely neceffary for the preventing
I thofe Mifchiefs which tnuft prove deftrudive to the

S f a * Church

628 Some Hiflorrcal Additions Chap, XIX*

An. lyoi-

Church and Monarchy. That an Eftablifh'd Religion
and a National Church are abfolutely neceflary, when
{"0 many ill Men pretended to Infpiration, and when
there were fo many weak Men to follow them. That
the only Effe£lual Way to preferve this National
Church, was by keeping the Civil Power in the
Hands of thofe whofe Principles and Pradliccs are
Conformable to it. That ihe Parliament by the Cor-
poration and Teft AAs tho't thev had fecur'd our
Eftablifliment, and provided a fufficienr Barrier to
difappoint any Attempts againft them, by Enading
that all in Offices (hould receive the Sacrament ac-
cording to the Ufage of the C. of £, and never ima-
gined a Set of Men could at any Time rife up, whofe
Cmfcitnces were tco tender to obey the LawSy hut hnrdend
enough to break, them. That as the laft Reign began
with an Adl in Favour of the Diifenters, fo the Com-
mons did defire, that in the beginning of Her Maje-
fty's Aufpicious Reign, an A(5l might Fafs in Favour
of the C. of H, That thofe Men might be kspt ou t of
Offices^ who have fhewn they never wanted the H^iQ, when
they had the Power, to Defiroy the Church, And that
this Bill did ftot in any Refped: intrench on the Adl
of Toleration, or take from the Diifenters any one
Priviledge they have by Law, or give any one Pri-
viledge to the C. of £, which was not at leaft in-
tended her by the Laws as they then ftood.
* As to the feveral particular Amendments made by
the Lords, the Managers for the Commons in lifted
upon it, That if the Laws provided that they that
had Offices (hould receive the Sacrament, and by that
intended a Conformity ; then, whofoever breaks the
intentions of the Law, breaks the Law, or at leaft
evades it; and that it was fit to provide againft luch
a Praflice. That if the intention of the Teft Adt,
was the Rea%)n to provide againft fuch Evaders of ir,
the like intention in the Corporation Adt, would ierve
for a Rcafon to provide againft the Evaders of that.
That by Occjfirmal Conformity, the Diifenters might
let themfelves into the Government of all Corpora-
tions ; and that it was obvious how far that would
intiuence the Government of the Kingdom. That to
feparate from a Church which has nothing in it againft
a Mans Conicience to Conform to, is Schifm: And

* ibac

Chap. XIX. after the Revoifit/on i» 1688, 62^

that that is a Spiritual Sin, without the fuperadding An. 1702*
a Temporal i aw to make it an Offence. That Occr.-
fional Conformity declares a Mans Confcience will let
him Conform ; and in fuch a Mart Non- Conformity
is a wilful Sin. And why fhould Occafionnl Confer-
mity be allow'd in Corporations, when the Lords
agreed that out of Corporations it ought not to be
allow'd } That in laying Penalties, the Commons
would always endeavour to make them fuch as lliould
neither tempt to Perjury, nor totally difcourage In-
formations and Profecutions ; which they thought
the Lords Amendnienc would do, fhould they Agree
to it. That the Pumlhment of incapacity ^ the reca'
piicitating^ and the increafe of Punifhmsnt for a Second
Offence, are warranted by many Precedents of the
like Nature, in other Penal Laws. That an incapa-
city is a very proper Punifliment; and that a Second
Offence is a [{eUpfe and Apoftacy^ which makes it more
heinous than the firft Offence, and therefore deferve
an encreafe of Punilli rent. That he's indeed reduc'd
to a very unhappy Condition, who is made incapable
of ferving his Prince and Country ; But in the prefent
Cafe both Prince and Country would be in a more
unhappy Condition, to be ferv'd by fuch, whofe Prin-
ciples are inconliftent with the Good and Welfare of
the Eftablifhment. That the Tf/^rd.'^/fl^i was intended
only for the eafe of Tender and Scrupulous Confci-
ences, and not to give a Licenfe for Occeifional Con-
formity. Thar Conforming and Non-Conforming are
Contradidiions; nothing but a firm Perfwaiion thaC
the Terms of Communion reqair'd are (inful and un-
lawful could juftify the one, and that that p amly
condemns the other. That the exempting Diffe-nters
fromferving Offices, would rather EftabliOi Occ.'ijionat
Non-Conformity , than prevent Occafional Confo^-mity^
and therefore increafe and not cure the Evil the Bill was
intended to Remedy. That the AH of Vnifofmify
had provided for the Sermons or Ledlures in the- Uni-
verfities j and that therefore the A6^s againft Con-
venticles in the \6 and 22 Car. II, made no particular
Exceptions for them, and yet they were never taken
^ to be Conventicles. That the exempting fuch as
' (hould be prefent at the Foreign Reformed ChurcbeSj
^ would be Eo open a Door to evade this Law. Aiid th-zs

S. f 1, ■ 'the.

650 SoMe Hifloricdl Additions Chap. XIX.

An. 1702- * the Places of Governours of fome Hofpitals are very
' conliderable Preferments, and given as fuch to the

* CJergy of the C of £; and that the Commons could
' never Confent, by any Law, to let in the Diflenters

* to the Enjoyment of them.

The Managers for the Lords on the other Hand dc-
clar'd, thar, ' By agreeing fo far as they had done to
this Bill, they had gone a great Way for preventing
the Evil it was intended to Remedy ; and own'd it
to be a Scandal to Religion, that Perfons fhould Con-
form only for a Place. That they did not think go-
ing to a Meeting to be malum in /f, for that the Dif-
fenters areProteftants,and differ from the C. of £. on-
ly in fome little Forms, and therefore they tho't lofs
of Office a fufficient Punifhment without an incapa-
city. That it could never be tho't thofe of the better
Sort would be Guilty of this Offence; if they were
they (hould lofe their Offices : That in inferiour Offi-
cers of the Cuftoms and Excife, who had little elfe
to fubfift on, lofs of Office was fevere enough fince
thereby they would be undone. And that this was
yet more confiderable in Patent Places, which by a
Common Cuftom are Bought and Sold, and are of
the Nariire of Freeholds. That Incapacity was too
great a Penalty ; and that it is hard to imagine any
Offence that is not Capital can deferve it. That there
is no more Reafon to punilh this Offence with Incapa-
city, than to make it Felony. That the Diffenters
are not obnoxious to the Government as when the Cor-
poration Adt was made; the moft confiderable Per-
fons amongft them being well affedled to the prefenc
Conftitution, and hearty Enemies to the Queens and
the Kingdoms Enemies. That in fome Corporations
they took the Election of Members to fervc in Par-
liament to be only in fuch as are concern'd in the Go-
vernment of them, as at Buckingham -, and the Lords'
would not by this Bill deprive Men of their Birthrights;
neither did they think fit to bring any greater Hard-
fhips upon the Diffenters, fince great Advamages have
accrued from the A£t of Toleration, That the Lords
did eqnnlly defire a good Correfpondence betwixt the
Two Hoiifes, and were fo faiisfy'd of the neceffity of
Union ac this Time, that they tbo^t all Meafures
fatal, that might create Diviiions amor.gft Prote/lants

Chap. XIX. after the Revolution in 1 688. 631

* at Home, or check the neceflary Union of the Allies -An. 1702-

* Abroad. That in a Time of War they tho't Al-

* terations unneceffary and dangerous, and were un-

* willing to bring any real Hardihips lapou the Diflen-

* ters at this Time, or give ihem any Caufeoif Jealou-

* fies and Fears. That the Toleration bad had fuch gootj

* EfFedts, contributed lb much to the Security and Re-

* putation of the C. of £, and produced fo good a

* Temper among DilTenters, That the Lords were nn-

* willing to give the leaft difcredit to that A(^; Liberty

* of Confiienccy and gentle Meafu res being moft proper,

* and having been found n>oft EfFecftoal toward increa-

* fing the Church, and diminifhing the numbei of

* Diflencers. That fome Pares of the Bill had an Air

* of Severity not proper for this Setfon;. that a proper

* Time ougbc to be taken to apply Remedies; the at*

* tempting too hafty Cures having often prov'd Fatal,
** That if there had been fach Danger and Nccefliiy, this

* Remedy would have been proposed before; That if

* this Bill did Enad nothing NEW, there would not

* be fuch a Conteft about it. That they did confent

* to a Punifhment, but would proportion the Penalty

* to the Offence. That they hop*d their defires of fe-

* curing the Toleration A&^ the Peace and Quiet of the

* Kingdom at Home, and the Intereft of the Nation

* Abroad, would meet with a fair Conftrudlion. That

* they tbo*t the only Conteft between the Two Houfes

* was which ihould moft befriend and take Care of

* the Church J the one would procure a haity fetled

* Submiflion, not fo much to be depended on; the

* other woul^ obtain for her a more gradual but a fafer

* Advantage over Diffenters. That they conceiv'd both

* the laft Reign and this began upon the fame Bottom

* and Foundation; and that as in this Reign Her Ma-
^ jefty has been pieasM to give Gracious Affurances as

* to Liberty of Confcience, fo in the lafk the Church ever

* met with ProtE(ftion and Support. That it is hard as

* well as untrue, to fay of the Diifenters, they never

* wanted the fViU J v^heri they had the Power to defray the

* Church and State ; fince, in the laft and greateft Dan-

* ger the Church was expos*d to, they join'd with her, *£^

* with all imaginable Zeal and Sincerity againft the

* Papifts, their Common Enemies; and that ever fince
J lixey have cojitina'd to ibew ail the Signs of Friend-

Sf4 ^ihip

652 Some Hiji or leal Additions Chap. XIX.

A-i. 1702* Ihip and SubmiiTion to the Government of Church

* and State. That Toleration and Tendernefs had ne-

* ver mifsM of procuring Peace and Union, as Perfe-
'_ cution had never faild of producing the contrary
\ Eflfedls. That the Lords could not think the Dilfen-

* ters could properly be caJi'd Schifmaticks ; that fuch
' an Opinion allowed, would bring an heavy Charge

* upon the C. of £, who by a Law have Tolerated fuch
' a SchiJ'm: And that the Church Men having allow'd

* Communion wirh the Reformed Churches Abroad, ic

* muil follow they hold them not Guilty of Schifm^ or

* could not allow Communion with them. That this
' Bill would inflidt a Second Punilhmenc on them who
' fled from F^-mce for their Religion. That this might

* be us'd a;S an Argument to juftify even the Perfecution

* in Fmnce. That they could not depart from the

* Claufe relating to the Dutch and Wnllcon Churches

* fo long Eltablilh'd among us, leaft it (hould give great

* Diiguft and Oflfence to the Allies Abroad, and at the

* fame Time forfeit the grcateft Charadkercan be given
*, a Church, that of Tendernefs and Charity to fellow
' Chriftians, ^c. That as ro iVorJ^houfes, they could
' not conceive, that the diftributing of fome Presbyte-
' rian Bread to the Poor^ and Diffcnting H'ater-gruel to the
' Sick,f could ever bring.any Prejudice to the C. of E:
^ And that they were of Opinion, that the Diflenters
\ were coming into the Church, and that nothing but

• * terrifying Meaiures and Sc^verity could prevent the

* happy Union.

* 'Twas farther added, That a Papift Convidt, as
' foon as he Conforms himfelf, and rccei^^s the Sacra*.
^ ment is immediately clear'd , no Incapacicy lies upon

* him . But this Act would carry the Matter farther to
' a Years Incapacity. A Papift that ihall relapfe and
' fall under a Second Convi6Vion, is only Convi(5led

* over again, without any Aggravation of the Cenfure;

* which by this Bill would be much heighren'd upon a

* Second Oifcncc: So that the Penalties ot this Bill are
*" higher than any the Law has laid on Papifts for alFift-
' ing at the folcmnelt A61 of their Religion. Before
' the Ad of Trleratiou pais'd, while Conventicles were

* Illegal aivl Criminal Alfemblies, a Man in Office, that
was prcfcnt ac them, was only liable to a Fine of 10/.

*- Whereas by this Bill he'd be liable to a Fine of an 1 00 /,

'foi

Chap. XIX. after the Revolution in 1688. 653

for being prefent at them, tho* they have an Impuni- ji„^ ,-q2"
ty by Law : It does not feem fo very fuitable that the
fame Adiion (hould be made 10 Times more Penal,
after fuch an Impunity is granted, than it was before
the paifing that Law, while fuch Aflemblies were
Illegal. It feems infnaring, and unbecoming fo mild
a Government as ours, to lay fo heavy a Penalty on a
Crime fo dubioufly exprefs'd : Nor is it proper that
the Sums rais*d by the Bill Ihould all go to the Infor-
mer, which might give incouragement to falfe Acca- '
fadons and Perjury. This Occajlonal Conformity has
been both the Principle and Pradice of fome of the
moft Eminent among the DifTeniers ever fince St. B^r-
tholomevps in 1662*. Nor is it

a certain Inference, that becaufe ^ Not only Mr. Baxter and
a Man receives the Sacrament in ^r. Bates were here mentioned,
the Charch, he can therefore ^«^ f^ w<« faid that there was a
Conform in every other Par- Pamotts and Learned Man that
ticular. Occafional Conformi- ^'^'"^ ''^ Salisbury, Mr, Tombs,
ty was a ftep that carried *'^?, *''** "" ""^^ f ^^^"^^ ^^'f *"■
many much further : And it ^'^ !^ ^U founts but one, infant

was intimated that the Lords f/'^r^T;* /Tc''"'^'"^''^!:
.,,. . r» r- that recetyinz the Sacrament does

werenotwillmg to ruinPerfbns „ot necefarUy import an entire ^

Utterly on Account of a PradlCe, conformity in eyery other Tarti' ^

that many well meanmg Men cuUr -, no more than a Man

have been and may be led who can fubfcribe to the Two

into, and which they think firsi Articles of Religion, ii by

naturally tends to bring them that concluded to Jjfent to the

over intirely to the Church, ^eU of the Thirty Nine.

* The Managers on the behalf of the Commons,
Reply'd, that feveral Arguments urgd by the Mana-
gers for the Lords, were againft the Bill, which they
had feem'd to Agree to. That no Time could be
more feafonable for this Bill than the Prefent, becauie
good Laws may be obtain'd mofl eafily in the beft
Reigns. That fliould any by this Bill be turn'd out
of their Employments, and confequently lofe their
Votes in Elections, yet it cannot be faid they lofe
their Birthrights, becaufe no Man is born a Magi-
ftratc. That fome of the Lords Arguments had been
fo irregular as to defend Occafional Conformity : And
that they were furpriz'd to hear a Prelate fpeak in
Defence of fuch a Practice* —They left the Bill

with

634 SomeHifiorkalAddithtts Chap. XIX.

.^- 1702. with the Lords, and faid that tbey hop'd they would
not let the Publick lofe the Benefit of fo good a Law.

But the Lords adher'd to rheir Amendments, and fenc
the Bill back' to the Commons: And they perfifting to
difagree to ihem, for this Time the Ell) came to
nothing.

At the end of the Seflion, ¥eh. 27. 170I, theQpeen
declared from the Throne in Her clofing Speech, That
She wai firmly B^folvd to Maintain the A& of Toleration :
And i{?commeuded Peace and Vnion^ at the molf Effe^uai
hieans that could he devis'd to difcourage and defeat the
Defigns of our Enemies. While this Bill was depending,
3l?f /Jortp;? a pamphlet was publifh'd, intituled. The Jhorteft f^ajf
MayvFtth with the Dijfemerj, It was very Sharp and Poignant;
the Dijfen- ^^ fome On both Sides were at fir ft amus'd with it, as
texs. queftioning what its Defign was; biat it was iy)t

long before that was fufficiemly difcovcr*d. This Au-!-
thor here told the World, that the Repr efentatives of
the Nation had now an Opportunity, and perhaps the
only one they fiiould ever have, to fecure the Cb. of E^
and deftroy her Enemies, under the Favour and Pro-
tection of a true Englifh Queen : That this was the Time
to pull up this Heretical Weed of Sedition, that bad fa
long difturb'd the Peace of the Church, and poifon d
the good Corn : That if it ftiould be objected, that this
renewing Fire and Faggot would be Cruelty, and ac-
counted Barbarous, he anfwer'd, that *tis Cruelty to
"kill a Snake or a Toad in cold Blood ; but the Poifon
cf their Nature makes it a Charity to our Neigh-
bours to deftroy thofe Creatures, not for any per-
fonal Injury received, but for prevention .- Not for the.
Evil they have done, but the Evi] they may ^©,
And that as Serpents, Toads, arid Vipers are noxious
to the Body, and poifon the fenfitive LAfe, fo' the
DiiTenters poifon the Soul, corrupt our Pofterity, cr»
fnarc our Children, deftroy the Vitals of our Happi-
nefs, our Future Felicity, and contaminate the whole
Ma(s; and therefore they are to be rooted out of this
Nation, if ever we would live in Peace, ferve God,
and enjoy our own.

The Commons ordrcd the Book to be Burnt by the
Hands of the common Hangraan, and the Author to be
Profecuted. He pleaded for himfelf that he gave them
hxn their own Language, or at leaft the Sccfe of their

owa

Chap. XIX. after the Revolution in 1688. 655

own Expreflions when they talk*d of hanging out bloody An, 1702,.
Flaggs^ and Banners of Defiance i and Ihew'd them what
many of theirPamphlets and Sermons,as well astheir com-
fiion Converfation tended to: But it was not to be born.
He muft be made an Example, for the Terror of others.

A Convocation was this Year called with the Par- j/,^ Py^,,
liamenc : And Dr. Aldrich Dean of Clmfi-Chwch, ceedin<rsQf
Oxon, was chofen Prolocutor. Both Houfes prefent- the Hew
ed an Addrefs to the Qiieen, on Nov, 6. in which Convocation.
they expreffed their great Senfe of the Favour and
Goodnefj of God in fetting her 'hinjefly on the Throne of
her AnceJiorSf and mal{ing her the Defender of that
Faith, of which (he had heen fo glorious an Ornament,
They thanked her Majefly^ for her many gracious Af-
furances of her unmoveable I{efolution to fupport and fro-
te8 the C. of E. as by Lavp EJiablifh^d, and to continue it
to future JigeSy by maintaining the Succejfion of the Crown
in the Protejiant Line, And told her Majefty, That
^hey promifed therrifelves, that whatever might be wanting
to reft ore the Church to its due Rights and PriviledgeSy her
^ajefty would have the Glory of doing it, and of fecuring
it to Pofierity, She told them in Anfwer, That their
Concurrence in this Dutiful Addrefs,' was a good Pre/age
of their ZJnion in all other Matters, which was very de-
firable for her Service, and the Good of the Church, But
they did not anfwer her Majefty's Expedlations. The
former Conteft was foon revived. Many Days were
not paffed before the Lower Houfe applied to the
Archbifhop of Canterbury , and his Suffragans, begging
that the Matters in Difpute, about which there had
been Differences in two late Convocations, concerning
the Manner of Synodical Proceedings, and the Right
of the Lower Houfe to hold intermediate AfTemblies,
might be taken into Confideration, and fpeedily deter-
mined, that fo Bufinefs might not be hindered, nor the
Order and Peace of the Church difturbed.

The Archbifhop and Bilhops made Anfwer Nov. 1 3.'
That they defired to put an End to all Differences, and
preferve a good Underftanding. That as for the
Point of Proroguing, they were in Poflefiion of a
Right, deriv'd from their Predeceffors ; in the ex-
ercife of which,- they would ufe fuch Methods as ap-
peared mofl conducing to Unity. -And that accordingly
they had appointed a Committee of feven Biihops, to

6^6 Some Hifiorjcal Additjons Chap. XIX.

An- 1702. meet with Deputies from the Lower Houfe, to offei
and receive what might conduce thereunto. The
Committee of Biihops ofFer'd, that the Lower Houfe
might meet in Committees, to prepare Bulinefs be-
tween the Synodical Prorogations : And that when
Bi'finefs ftioald be before the Coovocation, the Arch-
bifbop with the Confent of his Suffragans, would fo
order the Prorogations, that there fhould be fufficient
Time aUow'd for the confidering and finifliirg of it.

The Lower Houfe replied Nov. 18 : That they con-'
cciv'd fuch a Power as the Archbifliop cUim*d, was
no way inconliftent with the Right which they claior/Ji,
£0 hold Alfemblies, and continue to a£i as an Houfe in
ihe Intervals of Prorogations, which Right they looked
upon as fo indifpenfably neceflary to the Being of a
Lower Houfe, and which had lately been fo openly op-
pos'd, and with fo much Pretence of Authoritydenied,
that they declared they tho't they could not anfwer the
Truft repos'd in them, unlefs they continued to inlift
upon it : And therefore they renewed their Requeft
that fomething might be offered, more effec5kual to the
Purpofe intended.

On that very Day, it was ordered by the Houfe of
Commons, that Mr. Lloyd (Son of the Bifhop o{ fporce-
Jier^) (hould be profecutcd by the Attorney-General, after
his Priviledge ns a Member of the I ower Houfe of Ccnvo-,
cation was out. This being taken Notice of by the faid
Lower Houfe of Convocation, they on Nov. zo. or-
dered that their Prolocutor, and three of their Mf m-
bers, Ihould wait on Mr. Speaker, of the HoiK)urable
Houfe of Commons, to rctnrn their humble Thanks
to him, and to that moft Honourable Houfe, for the
great Favour which they had on all Occafions beerj
picafed to exprefs : And particularly for the late Re-
gard which they of themfelves, without Suggeftion or
Solicitation, were picafed to have to the Priviledges of
their Houfe, in the Cafe of one of their Men:ibers,
^ who had the Misfortune to fall under their Difpleafurc.

This was read to Mr. Speaker at his Houfe, Nov. z i ;
and the fame Day he read it in th^ Houfe of Commons ;
who thereupon pafled a Vote, by which it wasrefolv'd.
That the Houfe tpould on all Occajions ajfcrt the juft {{jghts
and Privileges of the Lower Houfe of Convocation. Which
made fome conclude, that now they Ihould certainly

carir^

Chap. XIX. after the Uevolution in 1688. 637

carry their Point. But the Archbifhop and Bifhops re- An. 1702.
folving to (land their Ground, the very next Day,
Nov. 21, made Anfwer to the Lower Houfe, that they
tho't they had offer'd what was fufiicient towards the
ending the Differences there had been between them.
That they could not depart from the Archbifliop's Righc
of proroguing the whole Convocation, with Confenc
of his Suffragans, according to conftant Ulage. That
by the fame A6t by which the Convocation is proro-
gu'd, the whole Bulincfs of the Convocation . is conti-
nu'd in the State it is then in, to that farther Day
of the next Seflion. That they could not admit of
their new Claim : and that what had been offer'd, was
fufiicient for the doing of any Bufinefs to be done in
Convocation. -^

The Lower Houfe therefore Dec, 2. reprefenting it as
not fo rcafonabie, that either Houfe fliould be judge over
the other in its own Caufe, propofed that both fhould
join in an humble Application to the Queen, praying
that Ihe would take this Controverfy into her Con-
fid eration, and appoint fuch Perfons as (he tho't fit,
to hear and finally determine it.

The Archbilhop and Bi(hops on Dec. u. anfwerd,
that they could ] ield no farther than they had done,
M^ithout manifeft Injury to their Conftitution asanEpif-
copal Church. That they did not admire their affe- *
(Sling to exprefs themfelves in a Manner that fets the
two Houfes on fuch an Equality, as was inconfiftenc
with the Epifcopal Authority, and the Prefidency of
the Archbifhop : But that they could not think it pro-
per to trouble her Majefty with this Controverfy .- And
that it was not in their Power to part with any of
thofe Rights with which they were intrufted by the
Conftitution of the Church, and the Laws and Cu-
ftoms of the Realm.

The very fame Day the Lower Houfe addrefs'd the
Upper, fignifying their Trouble to find themfelves af-
perfed, as ill affected to the Metropoliticai and Epif-
xropal Rights, and that therefore they tho't themfelves
obligd to make and fign a Declaration that was annex'd,
and to beg that their Lordihips would not give credit
CO any fuch evil Suggeftiens, and caufe their Declara"
tion to be entered on their Books.

The

6^8 Some Hi(iorjcal Additions Chap, XIX,

^d». ijoi» The import of their Declaration was, That rvhereas
they bad been fcandaloufly and malicioujiy ^eprefented as
Favourers of Presbytery^ ifi oppojjtion to Epi/copacy, they
now declar'd, that they adinowledgd the Order of Bifoops
as juperior to Presbyters ^ to be of Divine Apoflolical Infti"
tution^ and that they claimed, no Rights^ but what they
ccnccivd necejjary to the very Being of the Lower Houfe of
Convocf.tion.

The fame Day they prefentedan Additional Addrefs,
fignifying, That whereas this their Declaration had
given new Otfence, and that from having been rraduc'd
for allowing too little to Epifcopacy, they were now
accufed of afcribing too much to it, they begged there-
fore that their Lordlliips would take the Dodrine a-
forcfaid into their mature Confideration, and that
ihey would abet and fupport it, and difcourage and
reprefs the contrary, whether Arian or Eraftian O-
pinions.

Some of the Lower Houfe made a feparate Addrefs
to the Archbilhop, and Bilhops upon this Occafion,
fignifying that they who had not fubfcrib'd the Decla-
ration aforefaid, and who were refled:ed on in the
Additional Addrefs of the Lower Houfe, did not ob- I
jedi againft the Truth of the Dodrine, (vi^^. That the
Order of Bifhops as fuperior to Presbyters, was of
Divine Apoftolical Inftitution ) but againft the Le-
gality of alTerting it ; being apprehenfive of the Dan-
ger of making any Declaration of that Nature in Gonvo-
cation, without a ^yal Licence : And therefore they
difclaimed the faid Declaration^ and Begg'd that their
Diflent and Proteftation might be cntred into the Adksof
the Upper Houfe; and that all that offered, might have
leave to fubcribc it.

Dec. 1 5 . The Archbifliop told the Prolocutor, that
this was a Matter of great Moment, that requir'd
mature Deliberation and good Advice : and that there- \
fore he relerved it till they met again after Chriftmas. i

Bur on Dec. 23. the Lower Houfe prcfented a Peti- j
tion to her Majefty, [hewing that after ten Years In- \
terrnption of holding Convocations, fcvcral Queftions
arofc in that in 1700, concerning the Rights and Li-
berties of the Lower Houfe, and particularly about
Prorogations and Adjournments. That the Upper
Houfe had rcfufed a Verbal Conference. That in the

next

Chap. XIX. after the Revolfitionin i6S8. 659

next Convocation the fame Clueftion took Place, and An, 1702.
that it was expected they fhould abfolutely fubmit to
their Lordlhips Judgment, tho' in their own Gaufe.
That in this G)nvocauon they had applied to their
Lordlhips to fuggcft a Method to fettle the Matter :
But not fuccceding, had offer'd to fubmit it to her
Majefty's Determination^ which their Lordlhips alfo
declined. They therefore fled for Protedion and Re-
lief to her Majefty, begging (he would call the Que-
ftion into her own Royal Audience, &c. The Queen j

promifed to confider their Petition, and give them an
Anfwer as ibon as ihe could«

The Archbifhop on Jan, 10. anfwer'd the Lower
Hoiife, that the Preface to the Form of Ordination^
contain'd a Declaration of three Orders of Minifters
from the Apoftles Times, vi:(. Bifliops, Priefts, and kC^
Deacons, to which they had fubfcrib'd : But that he
and his Brethren conceived, that without a Royal Li-
cence, they had not Authority to attempt^ enn^, pro-
mu/ge or execute any Canon, Sec, by whatever Name ic
might be called, which (hould concern either Dodrine
or Difcipline : And that this was the Opinion of di-
ver* learned Perfons in their own Houfe • but that they
took Notice of their Zeal for the Epifcopal Order, and
hop'd they would AiSt agreeably to it in their future
Proceedings.

The Lower Houfe, on F^^. if. reply *d, that they
wonderd at their Lordlhips Caution, That they would
not fo much as fatisfy the lower Clergy, that they did
not diffent from them even in this Point too. They
took the Freedom to tell their Lordlhips, that they mif-
recited the Statute of 25 H. VIII, and fignify to them,
that declaring their Senfe concerning a Truth in Re-
ligion, fpeculativcly only, and without requiring either
Aifent or Obedience, was not forbidden by that Adt :
And intimate their Sorrow, that the Reflexions of
ignorant and malicious Men, of which they com-
plained to their Lordlhips, were rather likely to be
confirm^ by their Lordlhips Anfwer : And difcover
their Refentment of the clofing Admonition, &c.

But the Contention was ( as formerly ) carried on
without Doors as well as withiuo For about this
Time came out, The 'Narrative of the Lower Houfe vin*
dkatsd from the Exceptions of a Letter^ intit. The ^ght

of

640 Some Hijlorical Addition f Chap, XlX.

An- I7C2. of the Archbifhop to continue or prorogue the xphole Convo"
cation. The Author complains, that the Caufe of the
Lower Houfe had been perfecuted with Pamphlets,
He aflerts, that the Caufe was important, and the
Controverly of no fmall Moment. The Lower Clergy
would prefcrve their Rights which tbey have enjoy *d
for many Ages, and were never queftion'd till within
thefe Five Years. He alferts the Juftice of their Caufe,
and urges many Confiderations in Proof of it : And
then m the Vindicntion continud^ he proceeds to give
Evidence out of remaining Convocation Rcgiiters j
and particularly the Journals of 1640. Now alfo
came out, 4 Reconciling Letter^ upon the late Difference
about Convocntional l{ights and ProceedingSy as managed by
thofe who have maintaind the Liberties of the Lower
Clergy. This Letter complains, that there was now
as much canvafling for Members of Convocation, as
for thofe of Parliament. It obferves, that Dr. Jitter-
bnry and Mr. Hill who joined in the fame Caufe, are
as wide in their Principles as Eaft and Weft, never to
be reconciled. That Dr. A. made two Editions of the
fame Book, directly contradicting one another in many
material Points ; That in both Editions he kept to the
one Defign of lelfening the King's Prerogative in Con-
vocational Affairs : And yet that he is fince engaged in
a meet oppofite Argument, of advancing the Royal Pre-
rogative much beyond the Adt of the Clergy's Submif-
• fion, and the Claims of any former Reign ; by making
the Synod purely fubfift by the King's Writ ; and ren-
dering the Archbifhop an Inftrument only of the King,
and only Minifterial to him. He particularly ob-
ferves, how little the flights, Powers^ and Priviledges of
an Englifh Convocation, and thf Power of the Lower
Houfe to adjourn it felf, agree in Principle and Notion,
with each other, and with the Narrative ; and Inftances
In 28 Particulars in which they differ. Another
Pamphlet was publilh'd, call'd, The prefent State of
Convocation in a Letter^ P'^^^g ^^^ /"'^ Relation of Pro-
ceedings in feveral of the late Sejjions : Beginning from
Wednefday, Jan. i8^^, and continud to Thurfday,
Feb. 19, This was oppofed to the faithful Accounts
Number i, 1. Thefe faithful Accounts are charg'd
with containing many Particulars mif-rcprefented, and
fome intircly miftaken. The thus making Convoca-

Chap. XIX. after the Revolution in 1 688. 64 r

lional Tranfadions publick without Leave, is faid to -4«. 1 702-
be raifing a War in the Church, and drawing out
the Clergy againft one another. This Letter contains
many particular Fac^s, not to be met with elfewhere,
but at the Clofe of the Third Voluaie of Hhe Compleat
Hifiory of England. Another Pamphlet came out, cal-
led the Cafe of the Schedule ftnted . Giving an Account
of the Rife and Defign of that Inftrument, and its In-
fluence on the Adjournments of the Lower Houfe of
Convocation; and examining the Authorities urg'd in
behalf of the Archbifliops fole Power to prorogue
the whole Convocation : To which was opposed, the
Schedule Review d. *Tis here complain'd, That the Ma-
nager of the Caufe of the Lower Houfe had betray'd
fuch an unfkeadinefs in his Opinions, and had recourfe
fucceflively to fuch a Variety of Shifts, as would tempc
one to think that he firft refolv'd upon his Point, and
then fet himfelf to find out Ways to maintain it :
That the Foundations of the Defence were fo often
chang'd, that it was a Sign the Caufe had not been well
confidered by the firft Undertaker. He here attempts to
prove, that the Principles of thofe of the Lower Houfe
upon the Point of Continuation^ are fairly reprefentcd
in the ^jght of the Archbifhop^ according to the Journal
of the Houfe, and the Books publilh'd in Defence
of their Proceedings. That by the prefem Principles
of the Lower Houfe as contained in their own Books,
the Archbilhop and Bilhops have no Security that the
Clergy (hall attend their Lordlhips on the Synodical
Day^ nor any Power to oblige them to it : And that
the Reafons offered in the Vindication of the Narrative^
and by the Author of the Cafe of the Schedule ftated^
.in behalf of feparate Adjournments and intermediate
Seflions, are difagreeable to the Nature and Pradlice
of Convocation, and the eftablilVd Diftindtion be-
tween Bilhops and Presbyters. This was follow*d with,
T/W Parliamentary Original and Bights of the Lower
tJoufe of Convocation cleared ; and the° Evidences of its
Separation from the ZJpper Houfe producd on feveral
Heads ; particularly in the Point of makjn? feparate Ap"
plications, as a dijlinB Body of Men to other Bodies or
JPerfons : in Purfuance of an Argument for the Power of
uhe Lower Houfe to adjourn it felf The Schedule I^eview'd
\ is here reprefen^ed as a defpicable Performance. That

T t Author

641 Some Hifloric^l Additions Chap. XIX.

An. 1702. Author is charg'd with imitating the new compendious
Method of anfwering Books introduced by my L. of 5.
The fevcral Particulars in which the Separation of
the Synodical Clergy from their Bilhops confifts, are
here dilated on ; and it is iilferr'd, that an Houfe of
Convocation fo defcended from an Houfe of Parlia-
ment, and modell'd upon the Platfora-. of it, and fo
refembling it in its feveral Forms, Ufages, Interefts,
and Priviledges, cannot with any Probability be fup-
pofed to want one of the firft Rights of a Parliamen-
tary Houfe, the Right of Adjourning it felf.

At this Time alfo a Book was publifli'd in %vOy
-call'd Synodus Anglicana ; or tlie ConOitution and Pro-
ceedings of an Engliflo Convocation, fhewn from the
Ads and Regifters thereof, to be agreeable to the
Principles of an Epifcopal Church : With an Apfendixy
containing the Regifters of the Upper Houfe, in 1561,
1640, and 166 1 ; and the two entire Journals of the
Lower Houfe, in i 586, and 1588. This Author confiders
'the Method of fummoning an Englijh Convocation,
'and the Manner of opening it ; Shevys that there's no
Power in the Lower Houfe to admit or deny Proxies :
Confiders the Eleftion and Office of a Prolocutor,
and by what Degrees the inferiour Clergy became
a feparate Houfe from the Bifhops: States the Man-
ner of cntring upon Bufinefs ; and the Right of
the Archbifhop and Bifhops, to require the Clergy
to confider any particular Bufinefs ; and to order
Committees of the Lower Houfe ; and alfo to pre-
fcribe a Time for the return of Bufinefs committed
to them, and to require Anfwers in Writing : Shews
the Right of the Prefident and Bilhops to take to
them the Afliftance of Perfons learned in the Law :
And treats of the Gravamina or B^formanda in Con-
vocation ; and the Clergy's Petitions of other Kinds,
and the Part which the Clergy have had in judi-
cial Cafes ; and the Clergy's Right of a Negative,
or final Diffem'from the Upper Houfe : He then con-
fiders the Manner of paffing Bufinefs in Convocation,
and the Proroguing or Dilfolving it : And after pro- J
ducing the Regiftcrs foremention'd, he adds fome Ob-
fervaiions, concerning the Right of continuing, and
concerning the Right to determine controverted Ele-
' <5lions, and concerning the fubftituting a Prolocutor ;

and

Ch^p.Xiyi' ^fierthe Revolfithnin i683, " ^ 645

and the Authority of the Summons to Convocation, ^«. 1702*

■ &c.

Some of ihe Members of the Lower Houfe, finding
thcmfelvfis unable to deal with the BiHiop of Sarum
in a judicial Way, in Convocation, now afTauked
V him with great Heat and Vehemencej with one
Pamphlet after another from the Prefs. Firft came out
j4 Prefatory Difcourfe to an Examination of the Bifmop of
SarurnV Expofition on the 39 Articles, &c. That Book
is there reprefented, as giving great Offence to the
Generality of the Clergy. It is accufed, as encouraging
a Latitude that would open a Way to a Comprshenfion t
And the Three Heads of Complaint mentioned be*
fore, p, 605. that were fent from the Lower to the
Upper Houfe againft it, are dilated on. Theti came omj
j^n Examination of his Expofition of the Second Article^
and that was followed with, -4 FiW/V/?//ow of the %r^d
Article from his Expofition of it. The Bilhop pubiinie4
a Sheet which he call'd B^mnrhjcn the Examination of
the Expofition of the Second Article of our Church : Ahi
a Friend of his publifhed, An Anfwer to the ^Pr^fatgry
Difcourfe', And <J. Defence cf his Expofition' of the ^3^
Article, which he clofes with a Motion, That they that
were fo angry with the Bi(h9ps Expofition, fliourd givd
^he World a better., ; , - r■■■^^^\J " - \* . ■!-, -.*.'

This Year I . puBlifJbed tfie 'Tirft" Udiiibh otjrn^
Abridgment of Mr. B/j;c^er's Life, with the Reafohs
given by the filenced Minifters for their Nonconfor-)
mity. I have had the Thanks of ibme that belong to
the Eftablifli'd Church, as well as feveral that were
outof it: But many alfo have been difpieafed. A-
mong the reft Dr. Nichols charges me, with fome hard
and fevere Reflections: For which Charge if therd
be any Ground, I can fafely fay it was againft my In-
tention. I am fure many fuch were wav'rl^ where
fome would have tho*t there was fufccient Occafion,
and Provocation. He alfo- blames me for treating
fome Eminent Perfons of their Communion, and the
Church it (elf, with lefs Reverence than was becom-
ing ;• And fays, that when I gave the Pvcafins of Non-
conformity, i acdufed the Church, in & Manher that
"not a little difturb'd fome of the graveft Men. But
*fuch fore of Charges were fo comrr.oh as the Times
.then went, that thefe may very well be look'd upon as
Words in Courf^, Tt.* Tbi^

644 ^^^^ Hijiorkal Additions Chap. XIX.

An. 1702. This Year alfo was Printed, A Letter from fome Aged
Nonconforming Minifters to their Chiftian Friends, touch-
ing the ^eafons of their PraElice : Which tho' drawn Up
without any concert between the Author or Authors
and me, will be found by one that examines, to have
much the fame Faulrg as my Account has been charg'd
with, which I extracted out of their Writings, andcn-
deavour'd to tack together upon the moft moderate and
charitable Bottom, that a Confciemious Nonconformity
can be fuppos'd to allow of.

Now alio Mr. Sncheverel, who became afterwards (b
Famous, pubhfli'd a Difcourfe at Oxford, calfd the Po-
Hticiil Vnion, in Qu : Reflecting upon the Tolcratiou,
tnd with a Defign to advance the Temporal Power of
the Church : And it wis anfwer'd by a Difcourfe of the
Danger of Prieftcraft to I{eligion and Government, with
fome Politick Reafons for Toleration. This occafion d
the coming out of the new Ajfociation of thofe call'd
Moderate Church Men, with the Modern Whigs and
Fanaticks to undermine and blow up the preftnt Church
and Government, 4to. Part t. Which was folJow'd
foon after with Part 1, with Refledkions on divers Pam-
phlets.

Many other Pamphlets now appear*d ; As Mr. Hoad-
iys Vindication of Dr. Sherlock, in Anfwer to Mr.Taylor^g
Treatife againft him, about Church Communion. The
irue Characler of a. Church Man: The Character of a Lotp
. Church Man. A *icix> Tfjl cf the Church of England*/ Loy^
alty ; or Whiggiih Loyalty and Church Loyalty com-
par'd. The Cafe fairly Stated, in a Dialogue between
Af deration and Confiitution. A Cafe of prefent Concern j
in a Letter to a Member of the Houfe Commons, in-
veighing againft my Abridgment. Mr. Stubbs'sS^Tmoth
for God or for Baal: Or no Neutrality in Religion.

Now alfo the Cafe of the I{egahy and of the Pontifi-
cate, Stated in a Conference concerning the Independency
of the Church, made a Noifc. It came out before, but was
now Reprinted with Additions, and may ferve for a fit
clofe of the Writings of this Year. This Book avow-
edly fets the Church above the State, and attempts to
take from the Crown the Nomination of Bifnops :
Would have the Bilhop pray'd for before the King or
Qtiecn, and would make Princes the Servants of the
Church, and the Church to have an Authority over the

King

Ghap. XIX. after the Revolution in \ 688. 645

King hicnfclf ; and thai not only to debar him the ^«- 1702.
Prayers and Sacraments, but to proceed to Excommu- p. 68.
picatioj), if other Methods prevail not to bring hiao to
Penance for open Scandals. 'Tis here afletted that the
J^egale, that is the PoNver of Princes in Matters Eccle-
fiaftical (which by the Way has been commonly repre-
fented as a main Fundation our Reformation ftands
upon) is ihe effect of Popery, and the Caufe of all
manner of Mifchiefs; And the quitting all pretences
to it, is neceffary to the thriving of Religion. This
Author leaves the Reformation in a Schifm ; And moves
for a Treaty with the Church of France^ apd is for fp-
far reconciling our Differences as not to hinder Com-
piunion. He was for a Treaty between the Englifh
Convocation, and the general AlTembly of the GaUicnn
Bifliops and Clergy : And in a Marginal Note condoles p. 255,
the Misfortune, that ihe Englifh Convocation not being
fuffer'd to (it while that of France lafted, rendred any
Treaty betvveen them impra(fticable. But he feems to
promife, that as the Iffue of that French Aflembly ex-
ceeded Expectation, fo there may be a Time, when by
the afliftance of a reconciling Body of Men, who are
not againft a Peace with France, a pioft Glorious Step
may be made in this great Work, by that King whom
God Ihall infpire to take his ^gale out of the Way,
from obftrucfting fqch mighty Ends as thofe propos'd,
.by which be would truly deferve the Title of moft
Chriftian, and moft Catholick, and would be in good
earnef) the Defender of the Faith.

The Parliament met again, Nov. 9. this Year. The An. 1705
Qpecn in Her Speech earneftly defir'd them to avoid ,
Jjeats and Divifionf, that would give Encouragement to the ,. .

common Enemies of Church and State. The Commons ^^^ p°y/^-^{
in their Addrefs which was prefented Nov. 1 1, promis'd ^g„f ^y,,^
they would take Care of it. The Lords in their Ad- the Affair
direfs which was ptefented the next Day, promis'd Her ofoccafiona
Majefty, nut only to avoids but oppofe, vohatfeever might tend Conformity-
to create any difyuiet or difunion amongft Her SuhjeBs»
The Two Houfes had not fate long, before the Bill for
preventing Occafional Conformity which had mifcarried
in the former Seflion, was again fet on foot, among
the Commo^is. The BUI was the fame in Subftance
now as before, and yet in feyeral Things it differ'd»
The Preamble^ againft Berfesution for Confcience only^

6a,6 Some Hlfioncal Additions Chap. XIX.

An. 1703- was now left out. The former Bill began with men-
tioning the AH of Indulgences faying, That that /Jit
ou^ht inviculny to be ohfey%>'*dy whereas, this takes not
the leaft Notice of it.. This Bill began with mention-
ing the Corporation and Telt A6ls, which it fays, fnani-
fe'ily ifjrer^cd true nil Perfons to be admitted into fuch
Ojiccs, /ind Emf.oyments^ [hould be^ ayid always remain
..Cofiforrnablff to the C. of'E. as by Law Eftabliflo^d ^ which
ASis^ it fays, have been notorioufly eluded^ &:c. And .in
the cnaclivg Part, whereas tlie former Bill allow'd but
Four beficjcs the Family where a Conventicle was held,
|:his alioN^d Nine, and inflicted no Punifhmenr, unlefs
there were Ten or more, betides the Family. The Pe-
nalty in the former Bill was 100/, and '5 /. for every
Day that the Perfons concern'd continu'd afterwards in
Office; But now it was brought down to a Forfeiture
of 50/. There were alfo fome other Differences.

A Member of the Houfe of Commons fpeaking to
phis Bill, among other'Things, faid that Her Majefty
fufficiently Ihcw'd Her defire to fee it fuccecd the laft
.S^efTions, by the Prince of Denmark^s conftarit Atten-
dance upon it; And that he believM the Reafon why
fome Perfons oppos'd it, was becaufe the Queen feemM
to efponfe it. The Bill he faid was loft becaufe Two or
Three Noble Lords were by turn^ to be Abfcnt : And
(loinplain'd that the Mifcarriageof the Bill was imputed
* to their want of Attendance, when at the fame Time
they were defirM to be out of the Way. He reprefent-
ed it as iliameful, that there (hould be fuch Trimming
in a Bill to prevent Hypocrify. He faiJ, when Mem-
bers of Parliament and Minifters of State ftand Neuter,
in Matters thar nearly concern the Intereft of the C. of £,
and have not Courage ro own their^ Opinion, they very
well deferve to le torn'd cur. He banter'd the Arch-

biiliop pf C- y as oppoiing the Bill, becaufe my

Lord S r J told him it ought not to Pafs; arid inti-
mated that none of the reR of the Bilhops that u'ere
■ againft the Bill could give a better Reafon : And talk'd
cf moving for leave to bring in a Bill in Favour of
Epifcppacy. For (fays he) fince they are of the fame
Principles with the Diflfentcrs, it is but juft that they .
ftould ftand on the fame Foot. He argu'd that it could
iiot be more unfeafonable to Pafs a Law for the farther
Defence of the Ch. of ZT, here, than it was for Scotland

laft

Chap. XIX. after the RevolhUon in 1 688.. 6^j

laft Seffions to Pafs an Ad for the Security of the An, 1703.
Kirk there. And whereas it was pleaded that the Bill
would create Divifion, he queried whether a Schifm
was to b^ allow'd to avoid Divilion ? He faid one Dif-
fenter in Place was capable of doing more Mifchief to ^

the C. of E, than Ten out of ir. He concluded with
faying, that the Pradice of Occafional Conformity elu-
ded the Force of one of the beft Laws made in the
Church of Engtands Defence, and that it was Scanda-
lous and knavifli in itfelf j and that he might pretend*
to foretel, that by the Benefit of this Occafional Con-
formity, the Diffenters would come to be the Majority
of the Houfe of Commons, and then he'd venture to
pronounce the Days of the Church of England few ;
And that he might not fee fuch difmal Effeds of a pre-
tended Moderation, he heartily wifh'd Succefs to the
Bill. It pafi the Commons on Dec, 7, and was fent up
to the Lords, who treated it fo coldly, that they'd fcarce
allow it a fecond Reading. The Bifliop of Sarum ma-
king a Speech upon the Occalion, faid that he was fen-
fible it was a Difadvantage, efpecially to one of his
Bench, to fpeak againft any Thing which in the Sound
and firft Appearance feem'd to be intended for the Ser-
vice of the Church, and that if he was he not fully
convinc'd that this Bill was not fo, he could not have
a Heart or a Face to fpeak againft it. That he look'd
upon himfelf as bound up in this refped by his Promife
in the Addrefs at the beginning of the Seflion. That
the Bifliops had been indecently refle£led on becaufe they
could not think this Bill for the Service of the Church :
But that they appealed to the World and their Diocefes
as to their true Zeal for the Church; and that they
were above fuch Calumnies. That the Capital Pro-
ceedings in Queen Eli:{abeth's Reign, and the fevere
Adt in her 25th Year, thatpunilhes Meetings with Im-
prifonment, Banilhmenr and Death wasablemilh even
of that glorious Reign. That the Repeal of that A<a
paft in both Houfes, and its known hy rvhaf Mfinagement
it waiy that it was not tendered to the B^yal Ajfent. That
Queens Treafurer was knowq to be a Church Papift
or Occafional Conformifi, and yet continued in thai great
Poft 14 Years till his Death. She encourag'd Occafional
Conformity ^ and no Body was uneafie at it.

T t 4 That

648 Some Hffiorkal Additions Chap. XIX-

An. 1703. That the Severities of King James*s Reign caft a
Blot upon it, and the Proceedings, and the Star Cham-
ber, and High Commiffwn^ not a little contributed to the
Miferies of the Civil War. That the Proceedings in
King Charles s Reign were fevere, and fet on with bad
Defigns. That after the Reftoration it had been a very
eafie Thing to have made up all Differences among us;
but the Defign was to inflame them. That all the Se-
verities of that Reign cpuld not bring the Dilfencers to
Petition fer a general Toleration. But that the whole
Management with Relation to Dilfenters was an Arti-
fice to advance a Popiflo Intereft. That by the Toleration
Adl, the Heat rais'd by the DifTentions h much allay'd.
But that this Bill alarm'd them , who apprehended
the Toleration was aim'd at ; and that it was a Step
that would be follow'd by more; That this would
make Men Jealous; and was very unfeafonable, in a
Time of War, when all was at Stake ; And that to
raife Difcontents and Apprehcnfions in great Numbers
at fuch a Time, might have very ill Effedls. That any
Thing that divides and weakens us mart give our Allies
a melancholly ProfpeO.

That Things are fufpicious when the Men that pro-
mote them, and Write for them without Doors, are
known and avow'd Enemies of the Government. He

intimated that L » that High Church Man, had

written Two furious Books for this Bill. That he
knew one of the emjnenteft Papifts of the Age, fay
that he was for the C of E. as by Law Eftablilh'd :
And that being afk'd how fuch a Profeflion could agree
with Sincerity, he anfvver'd, that he look'd upon all
the Laws of Queen Mary^ as yet in full Force. That
the Fury with which this Matter was driven, heighcen'd
the Jealoufie.

That it was hard that they who had all their Lives
been building up the Church, muft now be defam'd as
undermining it, becaufc they could rot corhply with
other Mens Notions. That he own'd he began the
World on a Principle of Moderation, which he had car-
ried down through his whole Life, and in which he
hop'd he fhoujd continue to his Lives end. That he
crtuld not in the General condemn Occafional Conformity,
That he had himfcif pradlic*d it in Geneva and Holland^
and would do fo again if there were Occafton. That

Chap. XIX. after the Revolution in 1688. 649

fdppofing the Diflenters iniftaken, yet he did not fee ^«. 1703.
why they might not be Tolerated in it. That the
Diflenters have all along been call'd on to come as near
the Church as they could ; And after feveral other Rea-
fons againft the Bill, he added in the cJofc, that he
thought it ought not to be now entertained ; but that the
Subject matter of it ought to be left to be coniider*d at
a properer Time.

The Lord Haverfham alfo made a Speech againft it,
and told the Lords that whether the pofture of Affairs
was confider'd at Home or Abroad, by Sea or Land, in
Court or Camp, he could never think this a proper

Time for fuch a Bill. And the Lord M » faid

that if they pafs'd this Bill, they had as good tack the
pretended Prince of TVales to it. After a warm De-
bate, at the Second Reading the Bill was rejeded by a
Majority of ii or 13 Voices. Among the Lords that
were for the Bill, and that enter'd their Diflent when it
was rtjeded, were the Duke of Marlborough^ and the
Lord Godolphin.

But there were warm Debates without Doors as well Occafionall
as within, about this Bill againft Occafional Confor- Conformity
mity. A little before this Seflion of Parliament, De^^fe*^
Dr. Dnvenant a, Civilian, wrote a Book Entiturd, EJf/jysfrom the
upon Peace at Homey and iVar Ahroad^ which was faid ^''^A
to be written with the Encouragement of the Lord
Treafurer, perfwading all to throw alide their Heats
and Animofities, and Unite in their own Defence againft
the common Danger, with a deiign to diifwade front
bringing in, and pafling this Bill. Sir Humphrey Mack^
"north alfo, a Member of the Houfc of Commons, pub^
lifli'd a Treatife in Defence of the Proceedings of the
Commons in Relation to that Bill, which was chiefly
made up of the Arguments us'd a Year before on the
fame Subjeft. And Mr. Tutchin^ the Author of the
Gbfcrvator, was Voted againil by the Commons, for
fome of his Papers that related to Paflages in the Houfc
about Occafional Conformity.

The Queen in Her Speech at the rl£ng of the Par-
liaitient, prefs'd them to go down into their feveral Coun-
tries^ fo dijpos'd to Mdderation and Vnity^ at it became aU
thofe.wbo were joynd t^etber in the fame l^ligion and
Intereif, v ■ ,■ tf-. r

i ::'

Thi»

650 Some Hiftorical Additions Chap. XIX-

^n. 1703. This Year Mr.. James Owen publifti'd a Pamphlet
in 4C0, Entituled, Moderation a l^eriue^ or the Occafjonal
ConformiH juftify'd from the imputation of Hypocrify.
It runs upon St\cn Heads. The Author afferts,

I. That Occafionai Conformity is no new Thing, buc
warranted in fome Cafes, by the moft facred and in-
con:eftabIe Precedents. John the Baptift was an Oc-
c^fjonal ConformiH to the Jevoifh Church 9 and fo was
our Lord Jefm QhriH^ and his Apoftles. Sr. ?aul \\\
particular was Eminent for ir. He judg'd the occa-
(ional Ufe of the Levitical Ceremonies lawful to avoid
Offence, and the conftant Ufe of them linfuJ, becaufe
it would encourage an Opinion of their being neceflary.
The Apoftles made no Laws for Uniformity in leffer
Matters, por was their Pradice Uniform. The Jemfh
Church encouraged OccaficnaL Conformity, whilft Ihe un-
derftood her true Intereft; but when the narrow fpi-
rited Zealots pr evail'd, they by their fierce Oppolition
to Occafional Conformity, ejcafperatcd the B^omAns againft
them, to the utcer fubverfion of their Church and State,

II. That the Principles of the Occafional ConformiUs are
truly Chriftian and_Catho]ick. They confine not their
Communion to any one Sedl or Party of Chriftians,
but have an Univerfaland Comprehenfive Charity to-
wards all that belong to the Myftical Body: And to
this was their Cccifional Conformity owing, before the
Corporation and Teft A£ls were made ; and fo could

• not be juftly charg'd as a Crafty invention to gee into
Places. 111. That the Difference between the Church
and moderate Dilfentcr is inconfiderable. They agree
in an hearty Oppcfuion to Popery ;. in a firm Adherence
to the Queen and the Proteflant Succeffion: In fub-
fcribing the fame Docflrinal Articles, and in the fub-
ftagce of publick Worlhip. Tlic Things in vyhich they
differ are fmall, if compared with the great Things
wherein they agree : And at the fatrie Time there are
great Differences in the Eftabliih'd Church. The Prcf-
byters are hgainft the Bifhops j^n Convocation : Some
fubfcribe the Art ides as Articles of, Pe^ae^, and others as
Articles of Faith '. Some profefs Calvinijm, others cfpoufe
Pelagianifm : Some are for the Jus Divitjum of Monar-
fhy, and the unalterable SuccelTion in the right Line;
and others as much againft it, ^c When the Church
allows fo great a divedity of Opinions and Pra«5lice,

why

Chap. XIX. after the Revolution in 1688. 651

why (fays he) fhould the little Peculiarities of the ^«. 1703.
harmlefs Diffenter, be a bar to his ferviog the Govern-
ment ? IV. That the employing of fober DilTenters in
publick Trufts is fo far from being prejudicial to the
C. of Ey that it really ftrengthens it, in Oppofition to
Immorality and Prophanenefs. V. That Occ/ifional
Conformity is an advantage to the Church, and weakens
the DifTenters, frequently adding to the former, and
taking from the latter, as the Lords obferv'd in their
Debates. VI. That the late Bill againft Occafional Con^
formlt) would have been highly prejudicial to the C.
of \E, by cutting off all hope of accommodating the
Difference, between the Church and DifTenters, driving
them to a total Separation: By bringing the C. of E.
under the invidious imputation of Perfecution: By ex-
pofing even the moft fober part of the C. of E. to the
Mercy of Informers : By widening our Breaches at a
very unfeafonable Juncture, when there is fuch a ne-
ceflity of all Hands to obviate the Deligns of Fmnce
and /^.7Wf. VII. That the DilTenters from the Religion
of the State, have been employ'd in moft Governments.
This was the Pradlice of the Ancient Egyptians^ BabylonU
AnSy Perfians, Grecinns and Romans • and that both imder
Pnganifm and Chriflianity. The fame is obferv'd in
the y^n?//^ Nation, and even in Popt/h Countries ; with
which the Argument is concluded.

At the fame Time came out, the Interest of England
corfide/dy in re(peci to Proteftants Dijfenting from the
Eftnblifh*d Churchy with feme Tho'ts about Occaficnal Con-
formity. This Author in his Preface, declares himfelf
fo Zealous for the Caufe of Liberty, that he Ihould not
be afraid to lofe his Life for it. He obferves in his Dii-
courfe, that the DilTenters who were long run down as
Rebels and Schifmaticks, were now reprefented as Hy-
pocrites; as if they were doom'd to Calumny and
Hardlhips. They are treated as Exceptions from Hu-
mane Nature. But fince Intereft might poiTibly be
heard, when Juftice can't, he undertakes to cpnfider -
how the Intereft of England is concerned in their Treat-
ment. He firft confiders the Intereft of the Government,
The DilTenters, he fays will be difoblig'd by being In-
capacitated for having any Place of Profit or Truftj
they'l be affronted: For theyl be punilh'd without
offending J nay, after having done the Government

fignal

652 Some Hifiorical Additions Chap. XIX.

4in^ 1703 fignal Service. He fays they'd be depriv'd of their
Property, and branded wich Infamy and Di^uce,
which i% proper Perfecution. He intimares, thai when
they were thus wcaken'd it would give ground of Fear,
that their Extirpation was the Thing intended. He
fuggefts therefore, That it is againft the Intereft of the
Government, to make the Dilfenters uneafy, who are
confiderable for their Number as well as their Subftancc :
And that he that advifed thus to difoblige them, in
Hopes they would refenc it, defign'd ill to the Security
of the Government ; while he that Ihould do ir, in
Hopes they would l^ar it with a Chriftian Patience,
was an Enemy to the Reputation of the Government,
and to the Chriftian Faith. He intimates alfo, that
fuch a Method would weaken, and tend to fubvert the
Conftitution : It would difcourage a Number of Men
of Senfe and Subftance from aflifting the Government ;
and tend to deftroy the Ballance of England. For as
the Liberty of Europe would be dcftroy*d, fhould any
one Power be fuffered to become Exorbitant and out
of the reach of the reft; fo muft we bid Farewel to the
Liberties of England , when we allow one of the Par-
ties there ro be above the Check of the other. And
be adds, That our Religion, and Liberty, our Property
and Trade ; our Peace and Ciedit ; the Integrity of our
Councils ; the Adminiftration of Jaftice, and the
Succefs of our Arms ; our happy Eftablifhmeni under
a Proteftant Qiieen, and the Succeflion in the Prote-
ftant Line, are all built upon the Conftitution, and
can't fail to (hare in the Fate of the Foundation which
fupports them. He then proceeds to the Intereft of the
Churchy and coni^ders how that is concernd in the
Treatment of Diffenters. And here he afferts, that
the C. of E. is in greater Danger from the Enemies
of Religion, and of the Government, and from fome
of her violent Friends, who fubvert her Conftitu-
tion, whilft they pretend to put her upon a better
Foundation, than trom the Diffenters who ftand upon
the fame Bottom, and only differ in the Plainnefs and
Simplicity of the Superftru£hirc : And 'tis highly for
the Intereft of the C of £. to incorporate their
Strength with her own, that (he may the better with-
ftand the Defigns of her Enemies - And that fooncr or
later the Diffenters will be found to be the Ballance of

Rcii^ioi^

Ghap. XIX. afierthe Revolution in 1 6^^, 655

Religion, as wdl is of the Civil Gonftitution. He ^. 1703.
afterwards (hews, that the Teft A<a, was not deh'gn'd
to affedi the Diflentcrs ; and he vindicates them from
the Charge of Hypocrijy j and (hews that in the Affair
of Occafional Conformity, they could produce Apofto-
lical Example to fupport their Pradice. He obferves.
That St, Peter generally worfhipped God with the Ufe
cf Jewifh Ceremonies, and fometimes without them :
That St. Paul worfliipped God generally without
^ewifh Ceremonies, and fometimes with them ; That
he advis'd Timothy to be circumcifed at Lyftra, but
would not allow Titus to be circumcifed at Jerufalem :
Thai he did it in a Progrefs made to deliver a Decree,
ivhich term'd Circumcilion a Subverfion of Men's
Souls : That he advis'd all that were Jevps to remaio
fo, and yet told the Galatians, that if they became Jews
they could not be faved ; That he allows the Corir.-
thians to cat Meats offered to Idols, in the Idols Tem-
ple, and forbids them to eat thofe Meats in an Idola-
ters private Temple : And then fays, Th^t he that has
read the Scriptures, till he is able to lolve thefe Para-
doxes, will underftand the Reafons of Occafional Con-
formity, and none elfe.

Many other Pamphlets were alfo publifh'd about this
Time ; as Apofiolicsl Conformity flated and ajferted :
A View of the prefent Controverjy about Occafional Con^
formity, as far as Religion is engaged in it ; xvith a Vindi"
catim of Mr, Stubbw'i Sermon, Some Confiderations hum-
hly dffered to the Lord's in^ relating to the Bill to pre-
vent Occafional Conformity : And a Sermon of Mr, Sache-
verelV, 0/ the Nature and Mifchief of Prejudice and Par-
tiality, Among others, there now came out a Letter to d
Clergyman in the Country, concerning the Votes of the
Bifhops, upon the Bill againft Occafional Conformity •
^vith a Defign to prove that their Lordfhips neither
adt6d igainft the Intereft of Epifcopacy, nor of the
E(tabli(h*d Church, in being againft that Bill. This *

Letter reprefents the Time as improper in which the
Bill was propos'd: And intimates, that it tended to
divide and enflame us : That it would be a Difadvan-
tage to the Common Intereft, and an Advantage to the
common Enemy : that the Tho'ts of it much pleafed
the ^manifisy who could not rejoice at as it would
promote the Intereft of the Church : That the great

Concern

654 Some Hifiorical Additions Chap. XIX.

jIh. 1703. Concern for it which app^ar'd in chofe that hared the
prefcnt Eftablilhircnc, made it fufpicious that ir might
have an ilJ Influence on tiie State of Atfairs : That it
was improper to begin a Reign, with what would
alarum and difcompoie the Minds of the People : That
it would be abfird to pretend to fccure the Intereft of
Pofterity, by making Laws likely to have pernicious
Efftds in our own Days: And as for the Bilhops, ic
mov'd that their Behaviour and Charadlers might be
confidered and pleaded, that they had been the
Chief Defenders of the Church againft itf Adverfa-
ries; and true to the Intereft of the Nation. As for
the Bill, it pleaded that it could be no Advantage.
It could not ftrengthen the Security of ttie Succef-
fion in the Proteftant Line, becaufe it would turn out
feveral that were. well affedtcd to it : That the natural
Tendency of the Practice hereby prevei^ted, was of
prefent Advantage to the Church, tending to reconcile
many to it : But that this A6b would more.incenfe
Perfons againft the Church inftead of convincing them,
and fo make them much more formidable to the
Church than they were before, ^c.
TroceediTfrs The Convocation fitting again this Year with. the
of the Con- Path amcnt, were divided as before. The Lower Houfe,
yocation. on December 8. fent up a Paper to the Archbifliop and
Bilhops, fignifying that being called together to con-
fult about fuch Matters as concern'd the Safety, Honour.,
. and Advantage of the Church, they tho't themfelvca o-
blig'd above all Things to have a regard to the Sound-
nefs of its Dodrine, and to labour fome effedtual Pro-
vifion againft ;its being corrupted and depraved : And
therefore they reminded their Lordlhips of the daring
Licentioufnefs of the Prefs, through which there had
for fome Years paft, feveral Books been printed, pub-
liftied, and difperfed, in which not only the Worlhip
and Difcipline of the Church, but the known Fun-
damentals of our Holy Religion had been impugn'd,C3'c.
They added, That they had other Things lying before
them, relating to the Difcipline of the Church, which
they conceived to be fit Matter to be enquired into by a
Convocation : hsClnndeJUiie Mnri/jgcj , and the Scan-
dal faid to be given by Negle<^ or Non-obfervance
of the Eccleliaftical Laws and Canons in regard to
Commutations : But that thefe Things requiring

Time,

Chap. XIX, after the Revolution in i6i^, 65 j

Time, They laid this Gompkint againft Heretical and An, lyojj.
Atheiftical Books before them by itfelf. And they
begg'd their Lordfhips would take the Matter into
their ferious Confideration ; not doubting but that thro'
their great Wifdom, and Intereft with thofe in whom a
fufficient Power is lodg'd, to efFedt fo good a Work,
fotne fpeedy Remedy might be found, and a Stop put
to fo growing an Evil.

The fame Day alfo, they by another Paper, laid be-
fore their Lordfhips the Inconveniences to which they
were liable, for want of a more efFe£i:ual Method for
recovering Rates made for the Repair of Churches
and Chappels. They delir'd it might be confider'd,
how far it was proper for the two Houfes of Convo-
cation 10 join in preparing fuch a Bill to be offered in
Parliament, as naight enforce the railing fuch Rates in
the moft effe<3:ual Manner, confiftent with the ancient
Liberties of Holy Church, and the Ecclefiaftical Jarif-
didibri. *^^ '■'-■■

In Feb, i7o|. The LowerHoufe fentup a Reprefei>
tatibn to the Bilhops^ intimating, that having by a
Meflage brought by their Piolocutor from his Grace,
Dec. 15. been encouraged to hope that againft their
noeeting on Febr, 4, fufficienc Power might have, been ,
procured for the joint ^Difpatch of Sy nodical Rufinefs,
they had employ'd feveral Members in preparing Heads
of Matters fit to be oifered- to their Lordfhips Confi-
deration. And accordingly they reprefented to them,
that -a General Negledt of divers Canohs' and Confti-
tutions now in Force, ' tends to introduce fuch Cu-
ftoms as may in Time be interpreted to amount to a
Prefcription : ' And complained, That Matter of great
-OflTence had been adminiHred to Pious Chriftians, and
' many evil Confequences might arife from the Pradice
of ifuch -Minifters as read not the Common Prayer,
DiflinStlyl^F^everently, and Intirely, (as by the Rubrick,
-and by 'the 14th Canon they are obliged to do) with-
out ■•either diminilhing in regard of Preaching, or in
any other Rcfpe£t, or adding any Thing in the Mat-
ter arid Form thereof.

They alfo complain'd, That the unjuftifiable Ufe of
the Form of Publicii Baptifm in Private Houfc^s, had
leffened the Rs-iverence due to that Office^ and had
Qccafion'd thofe undue Pra6lices of mutilating the pub-
lick;

6§6 Some Hijiorical Additions Chap. O^IX*

Af%. 1705. lick Form, and baptizing without the Sign of the Crofs,
or Godfatheis and Godmothers : Thai Churchwardens
were remifs in noi making due Provifion for the Admi-
niftration of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper :
That Decency and Order were not duly obferv'd in
fcveral Churches, and that feveral were irreverent and
diforderly, covering their Heads in Time of Divine
Service, ^c : That due Care was not taken about
Holy Orders ; and here the Things particularly com-
plained of, were the little Caution ufed by Tome in
granting, and by others in allowing of Letters Tefti-
monial ; the not infifting on true, certain, and fafli-
cient Titles ; the want of a ftri^ and diligent Exami-
nation of fuch as offer'd themfelves to be ordain d .;
and an unnecefTary Ordination of Perfons without De-
grees ot Education, G?c. That frequent Abufes hap-
pen'd by Clandeftine Marriages, (^c ; That excommu-
nicate Perfons were not deoounc'd as the 65 th Canon
prefcrib'd ; for want of which, the Awe of Excom-
munication had bean diminifti'd : That there were
great Abufes about Commutations of Penoance .* That
Perfons were fufFer'd to inftruc^ Youth without due
Licences ; and ignorant and difafifeifled Perfons en-
courag'd to eredl Seminaries, to the Prejudice of the
Two Univerfities, and in which fuch Principles arc
inflill'd into Youth as tend to perpetuate Schifm, and
fubvert the Eftablifli*d Conftitution : That Perfons were
.admitted to be Chancellors or Officials, and exerci(e
Ecclefiaftical Jurifdidtion, without taking any Degree
in any Univerfity : That the Prefentments of Church-
wardens were commonly defedlive, and yet they went
unpunilhed : That the Pradkice of Regifters was cor-
rupt : That the Seal of Jurifdidion has been kept
by other Perfons befides the Judges themfelves, aad
their lawful Subftitutes : That Inconveniences have
ari fen for want of regiftring Teftaments ; That cxceffive
Fees were exa(^cd for Collations and Inftitutions .*
That Fees were unneceflarily demanded at Vifiiations,
(Sc. That grofs Errors were committed in fomc late
Editions of the Bible and the Liturgy ; And that the
Stage was guilty of great Immorality and Profane-
nefs. The Articles of this Reprefeniation were 21 in
Number.

The

Chap. XIX. after the Re^ixolution in 1688. 657

The Archbilhop told the inferiour Clerpy, that an -4»- 1703*
Order was given for the making out Copies of this Re-
prcfentacion both for the prefenc and abfent Biftiops :
And that they would make the proper Ufe of it at
all Times, and efpecially at their Vifitations.

Her Majefty on Febr, 7. fent a IV^lfage to the Honfe
of Coromoiis, by which fhe intimated, that (he had
remitted to the poor Clergy the Arrears of their Tenths,
and would make a Grant of her whole Revenue a-
rifing out of her Firft-Fruits and Tenths^ to be ap-
plied that Way. The Houfe of Commons hereupon
prefented ah Addrefs of Thanks. The Convocation
alfo for Canterbury prefented a like Addrefs of Thanks to
her Majefty upon this Occafion, on febr. 1 5. And the
Convocation for Torh^ that was now fitting foon after
did the fame : And the Lower Houfe of Convoca-
tion, fent their Prolocutor with fome of their Members
to wait upon the Speaker of the Houfe of Commons,
by him to return their Thanks to that Honourable
Houfe, for their efpoufing the Intereft of the Clergy,
and promifing to purfue fuch Methods as might beft
conduce to the Support, Honour, Intereft, and Secu-
rity of the C. of E, as now by Law Eftablilh'd : And
thefe Thanks of theirs, as Mr. Speaker Y /^o/'i??^ H^r-
ley, Efq; ) afTur'd them by a Letter in return, were re-
ceived wich the RefpetSk and Affe£iion juftly due, to
that Reverend and Learned Body of the Clergy.

On March 10. lyoj. The Lower Houfe fent up a
Paper to the Upper, aflerting their Right to be fum-
mond, as often as a New Parliament was called, and
that according to the Tenor of the Claufe Pr^emu-
nientesy as well as by Vertue of the Royal, Writ, apd
Archiepifcopal Mandate : And complaining that this
had been omitted in many Diocefes ; and tbat even the
Royal Writ it felf, and his Graces Mandate purfuant
vto it, had not been executed- at all this Convocation,
in the Dioccfe oi Bangor. They alfo aflerted their
Right to have a Prolocutor chofen and admitted^ at
firft, and as often as that Office (hould be vacaet
by Death or Promotion ; and to alTome an A(5^.uary,
and have a convenient Place for Debates : and to'
difpofe of the intermediate Time as they tho't good,

tJ u. Ssvetal

6^8 Some Bftorkal Additions Chap. XlX.

Ah. 1705. Several Things were aMb publifti'd upon this Con-
troverly without Doors : As the New Danger of Prtf-
More Wri- hytery, &c. In which there is a Complaint, that tho^"
ti»^s 9» the ^^^ Archbiihops Right in Oppofition to the Claims of
Convoca- ^^^ Lowci Houfe was fully juftified, and the contrary
tionalCon- pj^^^ anfwered, «yet the Controverfy was maintain'd
trove y. ^.^^^ ^^ much Heat and Confidence as ever. This it is
intimated, created a Sufpicion there was more at the
Bottom than meer Zeal for the Rights of the LoweE
Houfe. Their Proceedings this Author fays, naturally
tend to introduce a Presbyterian Parity into the Church :
And he refers to a Letter ( printed feme Tiaoc before)
from the Borders of ScotUnd, for Proof that they ufed
the very fame Arguments and Methods, that ibc Puri-
tans did in Qpeen Eli-!;^aheth''s Time, and the Scotch
Presbyterians in the Reign of King James I. He fays,
the Lower Houfe take a Method to deftroy the EH-
ftindion of Orders between Bilhops and Presbyters,
and fo create Confufion. This Year alfo came out, A
fhort State of fame prcfent Queftions in Convocation : A
fummAry Defence of the Lower Houfe of Convocation, con-
cerning Adjournments. The pretended Independance
of the Lower Houfe upon the Upper, a groundlefs
Notion ; in Vindication of ihe^.Synodus AngUcana, and
the Schedule R^iew^d. A Letter from a Convocation-Man
in Ireland to a ConvocdtioK-Man in England And the
h4a\s of a Defencelejs Caufe, &C. But the main Book
. that now came out, was, The State ef the Church and
Clergy cf England in their Councih, Synods^ Convocations^
Conventions^ and other Publick^ AjfernblieSy Hiftorically de-
duced fo*n the Converfion of the Saxons to the pre/ent
Times : By Dr. H^ake. It is Dedicated to the Archbi-
JTiops, and Bi(hop«, and Clergy of the two Provinces
of Canterbury and Tork^. In the Preface, he laments
bis being oblig'd to engage in fuch a Controverfy ;
pafTes a Cenfure on his own former Work, and freely
complains of Dr. //. for his wrathful and uncharitable
Spirit ; his Obfcurity, and his Confidence ; and fays,
that there was fcarce a Leaf in his Book that would
bear a rigorous Scrutiny, and but few that would Oand
tlie moft favourable Examination. In his Firji Chapter^
he confiders the feveral Kinds of Affemblies of the
Clergy of England, in a Parliamentary Convention, a
Provmcial Convocation, in DioceCan Synods and Pro-
vincial

Chap. XIX. after the Revolution in \ 688. 659

cial Councils. In the Second, he fetshimfeJf by Argu- ^». 1703.
ments to prove the real Difference both in Law and
Fad, between a Parliamentary Convention of the
Clergy, fummon'd by the Praemunitory Claufe ; and
Provincial Convocations, fummon'd by the King's
Writs CO the two Archbilhops. He fhews they have
ditferenc Rights, Powers, and Priviledges as fuch. In
the Thir(i he (hews, That the Bilhops and Clergy have
a Right to be afTembled in Convocation, at any, and
all Times, whenever the Affairs of the Chvirch re-
quire rheic Confultarion, or any Benefit may thence
accrue to Religion : But have no Obligation to at-
tend upon the Parliament, much lefs be forc'd to conti-
nue their Attendance during every Seflion, when
they have cither nothing to do, or nothing to counter-
vail the Trouble and Charge of fuch an Attendance.
Jn the Fourth he fhews. That the Convocation has not
as a proper Provincial Council, any Right to meet
once a Year, by Vertue of the ancient Canons. In the
Vth, Vlth, Vlltb, and VII Ith Chapters, he proves,
that neither in the Time of Edxv. I. nor any of the fuc-
ceeding Reigns to the Time of Hen, VIII. did the two
Convocations attend upon the Parliament, nor was ic
accounted their Duty or Priviledge fo to do. Iii
Chap. IX, he (hews that no Right can in this Cafe be
prov'd from Cul^om. In the Tenth, he confiders the
Right of the Convocation to treat of Canons and Con-
ftitmions, without the Affenc or Licence of the Prince.
And at the End there is a large Appenndix, of Inftru-
ments and Records, very few of which were evei
publifh'd before.

This Year came out Mr.Hoadly^s Hs^fi^^j^^^nefs of Con'
fcrmity to the Church qf England, in two Parrs; as Mr. O/-
lyffe% Defence of Minifierial Conformity did a little before;
both in Reply to my i oth Chapter, in which I atfted
but the Part of an Hiftorian, in reprefenting the Senfe
and Reafons of the ejecSled Niflliconformifts ; and was
not aware. That I affaiilted any. Dr. Nichols fpeaking
of Mr. Hoadlys Performance, is pleafed to fay, ( how
truly, let others judge) that arguing from my ConceJjionSy
he ftabbs and cuts the Throat of the Caufe which I had un^
dertnken to defend"^. However it

yet furvives ; and as it unhappily ^ ^ Apparat. ad Defenf. Ecct
falls out, the Franknefs of thofe ^ngic p^^. uo.

U u a wh#

66o Some Hiflorkal Additions Chap. XIX.

An. 1704. who are moft zealous for the Church, who are not
backward upon Occafion to declare againft luch a fofc
Senfe of the Terms of G^nformicy as thefe Gentlemen
contend for, helps to keep it alive. 1 publiftiM the Firft
Part of my Defence of Moderate 'Nonconformity, in an-
fwer both to Mr. OUyffe, and Mr. Hoadly. Now alfo
caaie out the Church of England'^ I4^i(hj for the refloring
of Primitive Difcipline: In which the Author attempts
to (hew, that the C. of E, hath a Right ro have her
Difcipline reftored, which it bas in vain wilh'd to fee
effedied ever fince the Reformation ; and that this was
a proper Seafon. He fattens upon the Words in the
CommincticYj^ that is ufed from Year to Year, accord-
ing to the Common Prayer Book, in which are thefe
Words, That in the Primitive Church there vpas n Godly
Difcipline, and till it may be reftored agnin^ which is
much to be voijh'd. Sec. He fays, That Wifhes are in-
deed Marks of a good Intention, and an acceptable
Zeal where no more is poflible to be done; But ever
to wifli, and make no Attempt towards the* Thing
wifh'd for ; if it be Zeal, is fuch as is a Reproach to ic
felf. Now alfo came out, A l^etter concerning the Edu'
Cfithn of the Dlffenters in their private Academies. The
Author brings heavy Charges againfk their Manage-
ment, and particularly the dangerous Political Princi-
ples ther^ inflill'd : To which an Anfwer was returned
in the Year following.
ViinherTfa- M. D. CCI V. The Parliament met a Third Time
ceed'iHg in in OHober this Year. Her Majefty fignify'd in her
Parliament Speech, her Hopes that there vpould be no Contention a-
ahout the f^ong them, but xvho fkould moft promote the Publicly fi^el-
Occafional jr^^^^ -j-f^g Commons in their Addrefs promifed, that
they would endeavour by all proper Methods to prevent Divi-
fions : But on Nov. 23. bro*t in the Bill againft Occafjo-
nal Communion a Third Time. It had now a Preamble
of the fame import with the firft Bill, intimating, that
the Adi of Indulgence-ought inviolably to be obferv'd:
It put the fame Glofs upon the Corporation and Teft
AcSbs as before : The firft enadting Claufe was exadlly
the fame with that in 1703 : And the Difference in the
other Part, was iiot in any Thing very material. At
the fecond heading it was mov'd to tack this Bill, to a
Money Bill; but a Majority of 251 Voices againft
134, carried it in the Negative. And when it was af-
terwards

Chap. XIX* afierthe Revolutionin 1688. 66t

afterwards fenc to the Lords, they carried it againft a -4«. 1704.
fecond Reading of it, by a Majority of 71 Voices a-
gainft 50. Had this Tacking Method fucceeded, Pub-
Jick Aifairs would have been at a ftand : And the
Queen minded the Parliament of it at their rifing,
when in her clofing Speech fhe told them, That they
had fo narrovplj^ efcap'd the Fatal EjfeBs of unreafonable
Humour and Animofity in that Sejfion, that it ought to he
a Jiifficient pVarning againft all dangerous Experiments for
the Future, This Tacking feemed to carry in it a De-
fign to take away the Negative of the Sovereign and
the Lords. And had the Lords thrown out the Mojjey
Bill on the Account of the Tack, the Parliament would
in all likelyhood have been diflblv'd prefently, and the
Preparations for the War hindred. This caus'd a gene-
ral Indignation againft the Tackers.

. Mr. James Ovpen^ Difcourfe calFd Moderation a Ver- ^e^'tf^i
^«f, had this Year a furious Reply to it, calFd the TVolf^L^"^ *^^^
Jiripp'd of his Shepherds Cloathing, faid to be written by ^^^'
Mr. Leflsy : To which he return 'd. a modeft Anfwer,
and ftii'd it Moderation ftill a Vertue, This was indeed
an AnCwer to feveral bitter Pamphlets ; and particu-
larly to one, entit. Occafional Conformiiy a mo ft unjufiifia"
hie FraHice^ as well as to the Wolf firipp'^d. He here
fays, he does not wonder that fuch Gentlemen as now
argu'd. the Caufe, ftiould be unwilling to grant to Dif-
fenting Proteftants the Priviledges of EngUfKhmen^ fince
they denied them the Charity they ow'd to their Fel-
low Chriftians ; pafs'd a feverer Sentence on their
Everla(ting State, than they did on Heathens or Pagans,
and fcarce allowed them the common Deference that
is due to the Rational Nature. He reprefents it as very
odd, that Occafional Conformity to the Church (hould
be fo vehemently oppos'd, by one that was no Member
either of Church or State. He adds a Defence of the
private Academies of the DilTenters, againft Mr. Sache-
vereCs Mif-reprefentations of them. Now alfo came out
a Pamphlet call'd Myderation truly Jiatcd ; which con-
founds Moderation ivith Lukewarmnefs in the Efteutials
and Vitals of Religion : As if there were no Difference
between Divine In Citations, and Humane Additions.

Now alfo came out The Bights of Frotcjlant 'Diffenters,
in Two Parts : The Fitft being the Cafe of the Diffemers
revievsi^d: The Second, A Vindication of their }{jght to

U u 3 an

662 Some Hi^loricd Additions Chap. XIX.

An. 1704. an Abfolute Toleration^ from the ObjeBions of Sir Hum-
phrey Mackworth. The Dedication of this Tradk to
her Majefty, is an handfome Apology for the Diflcn-
ters, againft the invidious Charges and Infinuations,
of an Epiltle Dedicatory to one of the VoJumes of the
Lord Ciaretuion's Hiftory. In the Tra6t it felf^ the Au-
thor rcprefents the Diflenters Principles ; fhews their
Right to a Toleration ; vindicates them from the
Charge of Schifm; and urgesa great many Confiderations
in Proof of the Jiiftifiablcnefs of Occaiional Confor-
mity, and the unrcafonableneCs of attempiing to incapa-
citate Men to fervethe Pubiick upon the Account of ir,
C^f. Now alfo canie out the Second Volume of Ca-
tbolicifm xgithout Popery^ in Anfwer to Sir H. Mackworth
about Occafional Conformity,

The Prefs indeed fwarm'd about this Time upon this
Subjedt. There was a Serious Incjuiry^ into this grand
Queltion, W>)ether a Law to prevent the Occafional Con^
formity of Dljfcnters^ xoould not he inconjjflent with the
AH of Toleration^ and a Breach of the Queen sPromife ?
The Chrifiianity of High Church confide/ d, A Letter to
a Friend, concerning the New Diftinciion of High and
Low Church, A Brief Account of the Tack, in a Letter to
a Friend. C flandra, but I hope not, telling what will
come of it , &C.
Xhe Tro- The Convocation fate at the fame Time with the
<r««i/«5«o/ Parliament, and continu'd divided. The laft Notice
^he ConvQ- we took of them, was with refpe^t to the Archbilhop's
cition thii (hort Speech ro them on March 17, 170J. whenhctold
Tear. then), that Order was givtn for the making out Copies

of tht ir R^pYcfjntatiot)^ both for the prcfent and abfent
Biihops. When the Lower Houfe was with the Arch-
bilhop on Apri, ^. 1704. He fpoke to them largely of.
their Reprejcntntion as he had promifed them he would
do. He own* d to them their Right to complain of
real Abufes and Grievances in the Church, but obferv'd,
that fome of their Complaints did not come properly
under the Power of the Canons, or the Authority pure-
ly Eccleiiaftical . And that thofe of them that were
properly Ecclcfiaftical, were laid down as Particulars
preparative to a. Royal Licence : And that the Abufes
complained of had not commenced within a few Years
la(t paft, or been paflcd over, every where with Supine-
n:fs and Dii-rer^ard ; and that many of, die Abufes they

Chap. XIX. after the Revoltitwn in 1688. 66^

leferred to, were mention d in King H^tUiam^s In- ^* 1704*
jun<aions, and his own Circular Letter in purfuance
of them. An, 169^. He told them withal, that
fince the Time of our Publick Deliverance from the \

open Attempts of Popery, there have never been more
frequent and careful Vifiutions of Bifliops In Perfon^
never more Precautions and ftrid: Examinations before
giving Orders in moft Diocefes, never more folemn
and orderly Confirraations, even in very many Places
where a Bilhop had not been feen fince the Reforma-
tion. He alfo faid, they had promoted the good De-
fign of fetting up Schools of Inftru(5lion for the Poor,
been concern'd for the propagating the Gofpel in Fo-
reign Parts, in prefling the frequent Chatechizing of
Youth, and helping forward the Converfion of DiA
(enters of all Sorts, by found Arguments and gentle
Methods, and exerting thcmfelves in behalf of the
Protef^anc Succeflion, which is neceifary to the pre-
ferving the Queen, and the Faith of which Ihe is De-
fender. And yet he own'd, there was Reafon for all
poiltble Care and Diligence in re£lifying Abufes j and
that the Bifhops needed their Alliftance, ^c,

OnDfc.i. 1704. The Lower Houfe of Convocatioa
prcfented another Reprcfentation to the Archbilhop?
and his Suffragans, fignifying their Grief at the gene-',
ral Complaint of the Clergy, that tho* ConvocationsB;
had been held now for fome Years, after a long difcon-
tinuance, yet the Publick had not hitherto reap'd the
Benefits that might be expeded : That this tended tO:
difparage the Conftitution of the Church, and tempt-
ed fome to fpeak againft the Necellicy and Ufeful-
nefs of Eccleliaftical Synods. They promife for Time,
to come to do what they can to (ilence that Com«*
plaint : And intimate that the Fault did not lie in them^
that more had not been done. That the unhappy Di-
fputes between the two Houfes had been,theirHindrancej,
but that they neither raifed them, nor omitted any
Means they could contrive for bringingthcm to a regular
Determination. That they would gladly have received
Directions, but none being offered, they tho*t they,
Hjight without Prefumption make their Applications a-,
boutfuch Matters to their Lordlhips. Accordingly fome.
Years ago, they laid before ihcm Toland's ChrikUnitjf
no$. Myftsrious^ and defit'd Dire(5tions whsit Courfe to.
'"^ ' Uu 4 taW

6^4 Some Hjjlorical Additions Chap. XIX.

An. 1734; tikfe to fupprefs fuch Boote, but could not obtain the
Adtice and Direftion they prayed for. Afterwards o-
rhcr Books of the like Nature were publirtied, and they
Ii'i'd 'reminded their Lordfhips again of the Liberty of
c"he Prcrs, pointing at a Book 0/ the immorttility cf the
S&iif'j ^s/hich the Houfe of Commons bad fincc cenfur'd,
ro*^heti^own Honour, and the Reproach of ihe Convo-
<fanon. They had fmce laid other Grievances before
i1ierff,'arid (hould be glad to know what had been done
toiWirds the redreiTing them : But that they had no In-
tention to bring their J>ordfhips under any Odium.
They therefore beg their Lordfhips to exert their Vigi-
lance'and Zeal, for rcfcuing Convocations from that
Conr'empr, into which they are in Danger of falling 5
ind that they wovdd impart to their Clergy the refulc
of their wife Confultations about what mights be done
by the Synod for the Honour of Religioo, and the-
Maiintenance of the Do(5tiine, "Worfliip, and Difcipline
cf the Church; and candidly to receive their dutifdi
jfipplications from Time to Time.
*^ At prefent, they' 'repeated a Motion formerly made,
concerning a Bill for the 'more eafy and fpeedv Recovery-
cffChurch Rates ; and defired, thatfomeof iheirHoule
that had Jurifdidtion,' might be permitted to join with
th'eir Lordlhips, in preparing the Heads of a Bill for that
PurpoTe, which they intimated, was therefore the more
ne^dfuljbecaufeof the Damage done to fev era! Churches
by the late Storm. They begg'd Leave again to tak^
Notice of the many pernicious Books that were pub-
Jifh'd and difpers'd, and requeued their Lordfhips ( as
formerly ) to ufe their Intereft in Parliament for a Bill
to reprcfs the Licentioufnefs of the Prefs. They re-
prefented alfo the encreafing Difficulties of the Paro-
chial Clergy, about adminiftring the Holy Sacrament
indifTerer'tly to all Pcrfons that demand it, in order to
quality themfelvc^ fc r Offices ; becaufe they faw not
hf)wir rhey could in feveral Cafes, adt conformably to
*^ the /^ .'/'/-. TJ^j and Cnw s of the Church, in repelling
fuch Pel Tons as were unv/orthy, and particularly noto-
rious Schifmaticks, without expofing thcmfelvcs to
vexatious and expenfivc- Snits at Law. They beg they
would ufe their Inrcrcft for the freeing them from thefe
Difficulties, and in the mean Time, give them Dire£tions
how to behave themfclves under fuch Exigcnees.

On

Chap^XIX. after the Revolution in 1688. 66$

On Febr. 14. 170^, another Paper was brought Uf An. 1704.
by the Lower Houfe, in which they reprefented to his
Grace and their Lordfhips , that among many other
Encroachments of the Dijfenting Teachers upoa the
Office and Rights of the Clergy, their frequent pre-
j fuming to Adminifter the Holy Sacrament of Baptifm
in Private Non Licensed Houfes, was a great Abufe of
evil Confequence, no Way warranted by the A<^ of
Toleration. They begg'd their Lordfliips would take
this Matter into their wife Confideration, and by all
proper Means endeavour to put a ftop to all fuch bold
intrnfions upon the Rules and Difcipline of the Church.
•- — They alfo intimated, that they could not without
great Concern obferve, how the Numbers of Non Li-
censed Schools and Seminaries was maltiply'd, and
how the Dangers arifing thence encreas'd ; and under
a deep Senfe of what might be the fatal Confequence
of fuch irregular Societies, as gave no Security to
Church or State, and which they believ'd were labour-
ing the Subverlion of both, they earneftly befeech*d
their Lord (hips, to ufe their utmoft Authority and In-
tereft for the fupprefling fuch Seminaries, and thereby
prevent the growth of Popery, Schifm, and Sedition.
At the fame Time they carried up another Paper, in
which they intimated to their Lordfhips, the unwel-
come Neceflity they had more than once found them-
felves under, of laying before them their Complaints
• againft the Bilhop of Sarumi And yet as unwilling as
they were to multiply Complaints, they now found
themfelves compelled by a groundlefs Afperfion with
which he had lately loaded them, and which th'ey
fho'ild feem to have deferv'd, fhould they continue
filent under it. Their Reprefentation of Grievances
Ja(t Winter they declare to have been inoffenfive and re-
fpecflful, and they add, that it had been favourably receiv'd
and anfwer'd : But that from thence the Bilhop had taken
occaiion to infinuate, if not to affirm, that many of the
Perfons concerned in preparing it, * were Enemies to * They
their Lordf^oips^ the Queen^ and the Nntion, Which re- herein refer
proachful Character the Bilhop gave- of them to the^^^^^s^'/hop
Clergy of his Diocefe, and had fince publiih'd to the ^f Sarum*
World ,even while they were Aflcmbled in Synod. They f^'^^S^^ '^^
thank God they are Confcious the Accufation did not''^!^'""''*''^
belong to them. They ever accounted the Enemies • ^^1*^"'

or ' ^

666 Som€ Hijiorkal AddUious Chap. XIX.

Jl^ 1704.01 faKc Friends of Epifcopacy to be for that Reafon
theirs. They Reveience the very Bilhop againft whom
they coaiplaiii. They were ever zealoufly devoted ta
Her MajjeAy's Intereft, even before She Afcendcd the
Throne. That they had rcceiv'd fuch unparallei'A
Marks of RoyaJ Favour and Bounty, that they Ihould
be the moft di (loyal Subjc(5ls and the unworthieft of
Men, if they (hould not make Her all the returns of
Duty and Gratitude that were poffible. And that they
qoxxii not be Enemies to the Nation, when they were
born and bred in it, and had true EngU/h Hearts and
Erglifh Principles fuitable to their Birth and Education.
Being thereto je openly afpers'd by undiftinguiftiing Re-
Uedions, they beg that his Grace and their Lordihipa
would interpofe their Authority and influence, that
the Bifhop may be oblig'd either as openly to difclaim,
any fuch imended meaning, or to make fomc fufficient
and fpeedy Reparation.

A Third Paper alio was ofFer'd by the Clergy at the
feme Time in which they complain that their Paper of
bee. had had no Reply. That they were hindred in
Bufinefs by fo frequent Adjournments, which tended
to fruftracc the Ufe, and fubverc the Conftitution of an
BngU(h Convocation, ©"c.

The Archbilliop and Bifliops made large Obfervati-
ons on the Paper that came from the Lower Houfe^
Dec. I. They obfcrve that this Paper was not di-
re£led to the Prefident, whom they bad endeavoured
to deprive of his Ancient Tide. They tell them that
it is they, who b^ their unwarrantable Claims and En-
aoachments made it impoffiblc for the Convocation,
to do the Church any Service. That fhould their in-
novations run on, there would be a new Danger 06
Presbytery ; for Presbyters would be enabled hereafterv-
to bid defiance to their Eccleliaftical Superiours, and,
tjo ad independently from them, in the higheft and,
moft general Concerns of the Church. That 'tis,
ftrange any of the Clergy Ihould underftand fo little
of the Conftitution, as to complain that no Bufinefs is.
finifh'd, when the Royal Licenfe has not enabled to"
begin any : Or that they Ihould hope that an Attempt
10 do Bufinefs while this was wanting, could have,
any other Etf::v5l than the encreaftng Ditferenccs. For^
thai they'd be ftili ruiuung inio irregular Pradkicei'
':• againft:

_

Chap. XIX. aper the Revolution in 1 688. 667

againft which their Brethren would enter their Pro- An. 1^04.
tcftations, and againft which their Lordfliips muft find
fome other method of Proceeding. That their Lord-
fhips could not but look upon the feeming earneftnefs
of the Clergy to proceed to Bufinefs, as a defit»j) to
render themfelves Popular, and their Superiours odious :
And that it was dangerous to thofe wl\oai they reprc-
fenTed. That in 1 689 the Lower Houfe was for fuper-
feding all Bufinefs with a Royal Licenfe in their
Hands, (3c. That there are Laws and Canons, in being
fufficient to corre(^ and punilh Offenders. That if
any Thing hindered Difcipline, it was the Reproaches
induftrioufly fpread amongft the Clergy againft the Bi-
(hops and their Proceedings. That the prefent Difputes
grew purely from the Attempts of fome of the Clergy
to difengage themfelves from the Authority of the Bi-
(hops, by Priviledges which their PredeccfTors never
claim'd nor pretended to, and therefore they were
amaz'd at their folemn contrary Declaration. The
fteps the Biftiops had taken are reckoned up, by which
they had teftify'd their defire of Peace and good Agree-
ment. That the Convocation has really no Authority
10 pafs fuch Cenfures upon Books as they defir'd : That
grievances of the Clergy may be regularly offer'd by
their Reprefentatives in Convocation. But that 'tis
vvithout Precedent for Presbyters to expedk, that their
Metropolitan and Bifhops (hould be accountable to them
for their Condu£t and Behaviour in their feveral Vifi-
tations. And that as concerning Direftions about their
refufal of the Holy Sacrament to unworthy Perfons,
they could give them no better than the ^ubrickj and
Canons of the Church, which he that would ftridlly
and religioufly obferve, could not be wanting cither
in a dutiful Regard to his Superiours, or in a Confcien-
tious Care of the Flock.

The Archbilhop onFebr, 14. ask*d the Prolocutor of
the Lower Houfe, if they bad had any intermediate
SeflIons:fince thelaft Synodical Day? The Prolocutor
anfwer'd,. that they had had one the Monday before.
He told hin^ it was very irregular, and that he admo*
wpod them to hold no more iniesaiediate Seflion, which
was a violation of the Prefidents Right, and contrary
IQ the conftant Cuftom of Convocations^ *

'' " " Vebrl

668 Sof»e Hiftorical Additious Chap. XIX.

JiM. 1704. Fehr.i-^. The Prolocutor told the Archbifhop that
^ their Houfe bad taken his Admonition into Confideration ;

and reprefentcd in return, that they had not been Guilty
of any irregularity by their intertnediate Seflion; that
the holding fuch Seffions as oft as they fhall fee Caufe
is no violation of" the Prefidents Right, nor contrary
to the Cuftom of Convocations, but an unqueftionable
Right of the Lower Houfe, from which they could
not depart. And that if the Admonition was intended
as judicial, they Protefted againft it as Void and Null,-
and of no Effed: in Law, and to which no Obedience
can be due.: And defir'd that this their Anfwer and
Protefta'tion {for which they were ready to Aflign their
Reafons) might be entered in Form by the Regifter in-
the Ads of the Day.

On MAYch 15. 1 70 1, at the Proroguing the Convo-
cation, the. ArchbilTiop made a Speech to the Prolo-
cutor and the Clergy, and told them, that whereas
they had brought up many Complaints, the greateft
Part of them did not require any Anfwer, after fo ma-
ny former Expreflions of the Judgments and Refoluti-^
ons of the Biihops concerning them. That their Paper
of Dec. I. was of fo undutiful a Nature, that it might
juAly be accounted an Adl: of Clemency in their Lord-
ihips to pafs it by without Cenfure: And yet they
drew up Obfervations upon ir, and entered them in
their Regifter, and they might be feen by any one that
defir'd it. That there is no fuch Thing as Adjowtjmcntj,
*in the Language or Pradlice of Convocation, and that
Prorogations have been all along raanng'd by CommiiTa-
ries, from the Reltoration to the Revolution. That
their Reprefentation concerning unlicens'd Schools and
Seminaries was a Matter of Law. That their former
Complaints agaioift the Biihop of S/jm/w had not fuifi-
cient Ground. That in what they now complain'd of,
the Bifhop referrd to flying Repojts fet about to the
prejudice of the Upper Houfe, which ihey had all
Reaibn to <;omplain of; thq*, they pray'd God to for-
give the Guilty, and pity'd thofe who were led away
by wilful and perpetual mifreprcfentaticns. That their
Lordlhips would govern thejnfelves by the Articles and
[{ubricksy ih^ Canons Sind Statutts ; and that they knew
no way of retrieving the Honour of Convocations, but
by the departing of the Clergy of the Lower Houfe

from

Chap.XIX. after the Revolution in 1688. 66^

from unwarrantable Claims, and Innovations, and ie-vl». 1704,
turning to the Ancient Canoncial Methods.

He added, that this Convocation was near an end,
and a New one would probably be fummon'd : And
that if new Occafion fhould be ofFer'd, he (hould think
himfelf oblig'd to exert his Authority, feeing no better .
Fruit had been reap'd from his paft Condu*^, which
fome • afcrib'd to fear and others to remifnefs. And
he told them, he wifli'd that the Clen|fy of the next
Convocation might govern themfelvcs by the Conftitu-
tion as it is, and not as they would defire it might be ;
that they might not divide in Two, that Body of the
Convocation which is but One ; but prevent all Irrego-
Jarities, and thereby all Cenfure, by Meeting together
with fuch peaceable Tempers and dutiful Difpoficions,
as became their Fun6tion and Order, &c,

I have drawn up this Brief Account, out of the Com-
plainer ^eprovd^ the CompUiner further BsCprovd^ and the
CoUeBion of Papers^ ^xMi^'diin I'jo'y, ,

I this Year publilh'd the Second Part of the Defence
of Moderate Nonconformity , in Anfwer to the RefletSions
of Mr. Ollyffe and Mr. Hoadly, with an IntroduHion that
contains /as I conceive) the Merits of the Caufe in
Debate, between the Conformifts and the Nonconfor-
mifts. Here I, that had before but ad;ed as an Hifto-
rian, and reprefented the Senfe cf others as fairly and
faithfully as I could, gave my own Senfe and Princi-
ples, for which I own myfelf to be Accountable, to
any one that will fairly take them into Consideration.
At this Time came out Anonymous B^fisHions on my
/ihridiment, in a Dialogue between a Churchman and a
Peaceable DrfTenter, which was followed with fome
other Eflays of the fame Kind ; condemning ray Book
to the Flames, and inveighing againft the Ejected Mi-
nifters, without any concern what was faid, fo it might
but blacken : But I never could think it worth while
to take Notice of a Writer of his Complexion, let him
be ever fo much affronted at it. A Defence of the Dif
fcnters Education was Printed ; and foon after, A Ds"
fence of the Letter, Printed about it the Year before t
And Mr. Wejley now tho't fit to fet his Name 10 his An-
fwer, tho* he did not at firft to the Letter upon that
Subjedt.

Among

670 Some Hiflorical Additions Chap. X(X.

An. 1704. Among the many CJamours rais'd about this Time

The Diffcft- ^S*^"^ ^^^ Dijfentersy One was, that they did not de-

ters not for ^^^^^ ^^ h^^'Q. Liberty themfelves, becaufe they were

confininr Enemies to the Liberty o£ others. This was ftarted as

Libercy to a Maxim, that they that would be for ftraitning of

tbemfehet. Others if they were able, could not reafonably expeft

Liberty from thofe that were in Power, when chcy

difFer'd from chem. 1 fhall not fet myfelf to Debate

this Maxim, (St confider what might be obje£led againft

it : But (hall let the World underftand, that the Diffen-

ters took another Way to Anfwcr it. For they were

apply'd to, by fome of the Denomination of Q^akers^

ivho complain'd to them, that in Nctt^ England there

were fome fcverc Laws of a long ftanding, not lepeal'd,

tho* not of late rigoroufly put in Execution againft

Perfons of their Character, which they dcfir'd their

kind Inrerpofition to fcreen them from, as they would

manifeft they were real Friends of Liberty^ and not for

confining it to themfelves. Hereupon the following

Letter was drawn up, and Signed by feveral of the other

Three Denominations of DifTenters, and fent in their

common Name to fome Minifters of Reputation in

"NevQ Englnndy to be Communicated to their Brethrea

, Reverend and dear Brethren^

* "y O U may from the cnclofed gather the Occafion

^ * of our giving you this Trouble. As for an Ap-

' * plication tX) the Queen therein defir'd, we could by

' no Means count it agreeable to the Refpecfk we have

* for our Brethren of New England^ had we iho't it

* ever (o fuitable to our more private Station and Mi-

* liifterial CharaAer. We pretend not to Form a Judge-
' meat in the prefent Cafe, which would not be [uft,

* without a full hearing of both Sides ; much lefs

* would we prefume to di(flate Meafures to you a-

* bout it.

' We cannot reafonably fnppofe, but You as well as
' We, are for a Liberty of Confcience as full as it is

* here Eftablilh'd and enjoy *d 5 fincc you are not fo

* much as charged with having lately executed thofe

* Laws among you, which might now appear to in-

* fringe it, whatever peculiar Reafons your Anceftors
' had for firft enading chera.

Chap. XIX. after the H evolution in i6'd^, 671

* We conclude you agree with us, that the Truth is An. 1 704.

* not to be propagated or mainiain'd, by external Force

* or Violence, againft Errors or Miftakes, but by the

* gentle Methods of Argument and Perfwafion : And

* we cannot but judge it difagreeing with the

* Spirit and Principles of the Gofpel, and an en-

* croachmeni upon the Divine Prerogative, and the

* undoubted Rights of Mankind, to punifh any for

* their confcientious and peaceable Dilfent from the

* Eftablilh'd Way of Religion, whilft they are not juft-
*' ly chargeable with any Immorality, or what is plainly

* Deftru<Skive of Civil Society.

* Since this is our real Sentiment, and we are call'd

* upon to own it, we think our Selves obligd thus to

* exprcfs it, for the avoidit^ that odious Imputation of

* denying to others what we claim our Selves: And

* that we may not give any handle or colour, for

* the undermining your and our common Liberties.

* We would alfo do, whatever may be done with Chri-

* ftian Prudence, to engage the Affedtions of thofe who

* differ from us; and at the fame Time teftify our ab-

* horrence of the Pofifio pretended Infallihilityy and

* French Perfecution,

' We cannot think the Truth to be betray 'd, or any

* Way injured by the avowing fuch Principles, as fecure

* it the Liberty to fpeak for itfelf ; and which ifuniver-
^ falJy efpous'd, muA open it a Way into all Parts and

* Places of the World.

' Therefore upon the whole, we conceive that the

* Honour of God, and the Intereft of our Redeemer

* engage us thus to appear for Liberty of Confciencs^

* And we perfwade our Selves, you will look upon our
' laying this Matter fo freely before you, as an Inftance

* of our Brotherly Aflfedion to you ; nor is it the wide

* diftance of Place, or any little difference of Senti-

* ment that may poffibly be, which can leflen our

* Concern for Members of the fame Myftical Body of

* Chrift.

* We therefore humbly offer it to the ferious Confi-

* deration of yourfelves, and by you to your fellow La-

* bourers in the Miniftry, together with other Chriflian

* Brethren, what farther Affurance may be prudently

* and fitly given, that in the prefent Affair you are like
\ minded with as, and are not to be out done by any in

the

672 Some Hifiorical Additions Chap. XIX»

An.

1704

.* the Evidence and Exercife of a truly Chriftian Chari-

* ty ; and that you will rather employ your own Inte-
' reft for the procuring fomc fuch Liberty as is here

* allow'd, than that others Ihould be left to try what
' their Endeavours can do, which we would gladly di-

* vert them from, in expcdtation of what this Lettier

* may produce.

* Finally Brethren, you will not forget that the Apo-
' ftle tells us after the mentioning of Faith Hope and

* Charity, that the greateft of thefe k Charity'^ fince you

* are (we doubt not) guided by that iViJdom from

* nicve, which is not only Pure but Peaceable^ Gemfe,

* an'.-f Eafi'j to he intreated, full of Mercy and good FruitSy

* without Pnrtinlity, and without Hypocri/y, &c.

About this Time alfo came out, The Layman s ^eafons
for his 'joining in Stated Corntnunion with a Congregation of
Moderate Diffcnters^ in a fingle Sheet, which well
deferves to be preferv'd, and Ihall therefore be here
inferred.

The Lay* V/f Y Cafe is in fhort this. I am born in a Chri-
mans Rea- ^^ ' Alan Nation, and baptiz'd into the Chriftian
fans for his* Faith; and 1 reckon it my unfpeakable Honour and
Noncon- * Happinefs that 1 am fo, and that I live in the Times
formity. * of Reformation. In this Nation, wherever I am, I

* find Publick Affemblies for Religious Woriliip, all

* agreeing to Worship the fame God, in the Name of

* the fame Mediator, under the Condudl and Inflili-

* ence of the fame Spirit, according to the Rule of the
*' fame Scriptures, holding Communion with the Unl-

* verfal Church in Faith, Hope and Love, under the
' Prefidency of Gofpel Minifters, by the fame Ordi-

' nances of the Word, Sacraments and Prayer, looking*
' for the fame Blelfed Hope : All thefe Affemblies con-

* cur, in their Teftimony, not only againft Jews, Pa-

* gans, and Mahometans Abroad, but againft Aiheifts,
' Infidels and Profane at Home; and likewife in their

* Proteftation againit the Tyranny and Idolatry of the

* Church and Court of [{prrje.

' But I find there is fome Difference among ihcfe

* Chriftian Aflemblies; tho' all good Chriftians are

* one in Chrift by Faith, and one with each other by ..

* Holy Love, yet in outward and lelfer Things I ob- i

* ferve they do not all agree; and it is no Surprize to

'me

Chap. XIX. after the Revolution i» 1688. 675

me that they do not ; for I know that the beft are im- -dn. 1704.
perfed: in this World, i . I find fome of thefe Affeiii-
blies, and indeed far the greater Number, EJiab'ijhed
and Appointed by an Adt of Parliament at the Time
of the happy Reftoration, 14 Car. x. The Mini/lers ^
prefiding in thefe AfTemblies ordain'd by Bilhops, ufa-
ally prefented by Lay-Patrons, and to the great Ad-
vantage of their Miniftry dignified, and honourably
provided for by the Civil Government; the Ordi-
nances Adminiftred in thefe Aflemblies according to
the Book of Common Prayer; and the Difcipline
manag'd by the Chancellor of the Diocefs and his
Court.

2. * I find fome few of thefe Aflemblies^ Permitted
and Allowed^ by another Ac^ of Parliament 27 Years
after the former, at the Time of the late Glorious
Revolution, i,PV. and M. The Minifters prefiding
in them ordain d by Presbyters, chofen by the Peo-
ple, and the* taken under the Protedlion, yet defti-
tute of the Authority and Support of the Civil Pow-
ers. The Ordinances Adminiftred in them not by a
fet, prefcribed, conftanc Form, but by the Rule of
the Scripture in general, and according to the Mea»
fare of the Gift given to him that Minifters. The
Difcipline manag'd by the Minifter himfelf, who
prefides in other Ordinances, with the Advice and
Concurrence of the Congregation. Providence hath
fo caft my Lot, and appointed the Bounds of my Habi^
teition^ that Affemblies of both thefe Kinds are within
my Reach.

* And through the Grace of God I think I can truly
fay, this is my CharaBer, I am heartily concerned
about my Soul, and my cverlafting Condition. It is
my Care and Defire to pleafe God, and to work out
my Salvation. All other Interefts and Concerns are
nothing to me in Comparifon with this. I ferioufly
profefs I am afraid of Sin, and am follicitoos to be
found in the Way of my Duty, and to get all the
Help I can to forward me towards Heaven, and fie
me for it. Hereunto I can aid this farther Protefta-
tion, that through the Grace of God I have a Catho-
lick Charity for all good Chriftians. 1 cannot mono-
polize the Church ; 'tis narrow enough, I dare noc
make it narrower. I love a good Man, whatever

Xx 1 Party

674 ^^'^^ Hijloricd Additwns Cbap, XIX.

4«. 1704

Party he belongs to, and him that follows GhrtH,
iho' he doth not foUovfi with me. He that fears God^
and vforl^i ^ghtemfnefl, u accepted of God^ and fliali
be accepted by mc.

' My Pradkice is this. I join myfelf rometimes with
the Affembhes of the Pubhck Eftablilhment, if an Op-
portunity offers itfelf on a Week-day; or if I happen
on a Lord'* Day to be out of the Reach of foch
Aflfcmblies, as I <:hufc ftatcdly to join with, I freely
and chearfully attend the Divine Service of the
Church, knowing nothing io the Prayers but what I
can heartily fay Amen to, which I chnfe rather to
do than to Anfw£t aloud after the Minifter. And
this I do, that I may teitifie my Catholick Charity,
and my Communion with, and AfTediion to all good
Chriftians, tho' I be not in every Thing of their
Mind. Hereby likewife I endeavour to fulfil aU
B^ghteoufnef^^ and in my Place I bear my Teftimony
to that which is of God in the PubUck Eftablilhment,
wherein I do rejoice^ yea^ and will rejoice.
* But I conftantly join in all the Ordinances with a
Congregation of moderate and fobcr DiiTenters ;
with them I hold Stated Communion, and with
them, after many ferious and impartial Thoughts,
have put myfelf under the Minifterial Condu<^,
aud Infpe(3:ion of a Preacher Of Teacher, AHoxod^
iho' not Authoyi;(d by the Law of the Land, but one
who is manifefted in my Conscience to be a true and
faithful Minifter of Jefus Chrift.
^ The Reafons why I chufe my fetled Communion
with Diffenters are thcfe Six, which abundantly fatis-
fie my own Confciencc at prefent, not judging other
Mens Confciences, nor knowing what further Light
God may hereafrer give mc in this Matter.

I think it is my Duty to own and adhere to that

I.

Minifiry^ which feems to me to be wrongfully and inyw
rioujly excluded fiotn the Puhlick, Eftahlifhment, and the
Exclufton of which was profeffcdly intended and de-
fign'd by the Ad of Uniformity. By making fuch
Oaths, Declarations, and Subfcriptions, the indi-
fpenfible Terms of their Admiflion into the Mini/lry,
or Continuance in it, as they could not comply with,
without finning againft their Confcienccs, they were
and are effc(^ually ihut out from the Publick Efta-

[ blifliinent;

chap. XIX. after the Re'vohifjon in i6%Q. 6j%

* bliihrneiic ; This I take to ht a XVrong both ro them An, 1704^

* who are w^ll worthy ojf the Church's double Ho?

* nours, ^n^ to i^t. church which flands in need of, and
f would be greatly benefired by their iifeful Labours.

* I therefore thirik thac I ought in my Place both to

* hear my 7eJlimony againfl the Exctufion of them^ left 1

* fhould partake wi|th other Mens Sins, and fnould be

* found to have faid a Confederacy with thofe that put

* fo many burning, fhiiiinp Lights under aBufhelj and
f a!fo to' ^i^i ' ^J^/i and encourage tbofe that are Jo exr
^ clu^c'tf, putting rriy Soiil into their Spuls ftead, and

* then doing as J xvonld be done by. Were I a Mini?

* ftcr I mult be (hut out as they are, and fhould expedt

* to be countenanced in foffering for Confcience-fake^'
' and therefore cannot but countenance them. And
^ this is that \Vhich I verily believe moft Men will da

* when it comes to be their own Cafe, whatever theyj

* talk when they are uf^pei-moft. Thofe who at any

* Time have thought themfelves unjuftly reftrain'd
f from the publick Exercife of their Miniftry, have

* eyer yet thoiight themfelves oblig'd to exercife it iri
f private as they could, and their Friends oblig'd to

* ftand by thern in it, and fo I believe they ever will.

V 2. ' I think it is my Duty xo chufe rather Ji ate dly t:

* join in thofe Adminift rations which come neareft to the
f Divine tnjiittition^ than in thofe which have in them art

* unneceffary Mixture of Humane Invention, How far
*. Men may lawfully devife and ufe Ceremonies of
*' their owft, uhdfer pretence of beautifying God's Or-

* dinances, and edifying thernfelves and others, I pre-

* tend not to be a competent Judges but to me it feems

* very plain that the Ordinances of Chrift are purer^

* and look ke:ter without them, ', and that thofe who

* rnake tht^ Scripture only their Rule, and admit no-
' thing iffe'^thteWorlhip but' \V.Hat is warranted by

that, are tc» bspVeferrMrnuch before thofe who Pra-

' (^ice niany Things in their ftated publick Worfhip,'

which they 3o nor produce any Ground or Warrant

* for in the Holy Scripture. To me it feems much bet-r
' ter iq Baptifm only to wafli a Child with Water in

* the Name of Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft, in Token

* that he /hall not te afhamed to confefi Chrisi crucified^

* which is Chrift*s Inftitution, than befides that, ,ini
I Token of the fame Thing to (Tgn him with the Sign

Xx % lot

676 Some Hifiorkal Additions Chap. XIX.

An. 1704.

of theCrofs; and in the Lord's Supper 10 ufc the
Gefture Chrift's Difciplcs us'd, rather than another
devifed by Men. Having chofen the Saipiure for the
ftanding Rule of my Faith and Practice, 1 chufe to
have Communion with thofe who fecm to me to keep
moft clofely to it.

3. ' I think il is my Duty to chufe rathtr flatedly to
join with ihofe who Ajfert and Maintain the Liberty
wherewith Chriji has made us free, than with thofe that
willingly fubmit to the Impofitions of Men in the Things
of God f and ]upifie thofe Impofitions, lam very well
fatisfied, that when my Redeemer, in kindnefs to his
Church, broke rhe Yoke of that Ceremonial Law
which war ^iver. by Mofes, he did not leave it in the
P'-wec of any Man, or Company of Men in the
Wcrld, to m?-ke another like Yoke, and lay that upon
the Necks of the Dilciples. I doubt not but there is
a Power in the Chriftian Magiftrates, or other Go-
vernours of the Church, to reftrain and correct Na-
tural Indecencies in any of the Ncceflary Circumftan-
ces of Publick Worlliip , Time, Place, Habit, or
Gefture, and ihat, in any of thefe which unavoidably
renders the Adminiftration of the Ordinances either
defpicable, or inconvenient^ or unprofitable to thofe
that attend upon them ; but I fee nothing in the Gof-
pel which warrants any Governours, Civil or Sacred,
to impofe fuch Habits and Geftures as they pleafe,
becaufe they think them Decent, upon thofe who
think them incongruous, and then to make the ufe
of them theindifpenfible Condition of their Commu-
nion, In the Religious Aflemblies of the Diffcnters
I obferve, that generally every Thing is done with
the Gravity and Decorum that becomes the Solemni-
ties there performed. I fee no uncouth Habits, I hear
no noifie Refponfes, but all Things are managed De-
cently and in Order, with Reverence and to Edifica-
tion ; and yet no Cfcrcmonics arc impos'd, no Terms
of Communion made which Chrift has not made, no
Days made Holy but that which God has made fo,
no ftrefs laid upon the Holinefs of Places, which the
New Teftament gives not the leaft hint of fince the
Deftrudion of the Temple, and therefore I chufe to
join with them, for where the Spirit of the Lord is,
there is Liberty: Their Minifters are not ly'd up to

*any

Chap. XIX. after the Revolution in 1688. 677

* any one prefcribed Form of Prayer, but are at liberty An. 1704*

* to vary and enlarge according to the Improvements

* of their Knowledge and Warmth of their Devocion,

* and the Cafe of thofe whofe Mouth they are in Pray-

* er: And, as I think, every Minifter ought to have

* forac Competent Meafure of the Gift of Prayer as

* well as Preaching, and that oiherwife he is not duly

* Qpalificd ; fo I think, having that Ability, he ought
' not to be abridg'd of his Liberty to ufe it, ejpecialfy

* no( in the Adminijlration of Sacraments. All- Things

* dre lawful for me, but t will not he brought under the

* Power of any^ i Cor. 6. 1 1.

4. * I think it is my Duty to chufe rather to join with
thofe that refufe to admit into Communion with them,

* fuch as are openly Vicious and Prophane, than with thofe,

* that being under an unhappy Obligation to Adminijier the

* Lord*s Supper to aU in Office, and to transfer the Trial of
' all Sujpenjions to the Bifhofs Court, cannot poffihly ufe fo
^ ftrifi a Difcipline, Not that I think 1 am ever
^ the worfe for bad Peoples joining with me in

* the Lord's Supper, but perhaps they are the worfe
' for my joining with them ; and I would not be acceflb-
' ry to the hardening of them in their Impieties. I do
' not expedt to meet with any Society of Chriftians
^ perfecSkly pure on this fide Heaven ; there are Spots, I
' know, in our Feafts of Charity : But I muft prefer

thofe who appear to me either to be more pure from
the mixture of corrupt Members, or at leaft more
felicitous and defirous to be fo , and more ca-
pable of being fo by their Conftitution 1 have
f«en with much fatisfa^Vion many of the Church
of England Zealous againft Vice and Prophanenefs,
and a(flive for the Suppreffing of it, and have a
mighty Value and Veneration for them upon that Ac-
count, and wilh their Con/^i.ution would allow 'hem
to do more, by Church Cenfjres, in Profec'Jt'OD of
that worthy Dcfign than I apprehend it will; but for
that Pious Zeal of theirs I have fo ofteii heard them
caird Presbyterians, by thofe that are Bigots for Epif-
copacy and the Ceremonies, th?it lo n»^2fs i. has made
me love the Presbyterians the better, li.-ice Zeal
againft Prophanenefs enters fo much into their
Chara(fler, even their Enemies themfelves being
Judges.

678 Some Hifioricai Additions Chap. XlX.

j3^, 1704. 5- ' I cbink it is my Duty to chufe rather to join v^ith

^ • ' thcfe Churches, vphofe Co;f(iUun'or. lenves room for a Ca-

' tholick. And, Comtrei:sr.p,--; Cl^arlt)^ ^than, with thcjc xohofe

' avowed ^^rinclfCes :cr,tt,s .ffircj^ tj^ffm to Morfo^

* po!i:{e the Chf^^f/f IH i^i^e^und, ^^ thewjcivej^ tijjd forbid

* thetri to own t/je pjjlfntn)^ i\(ii7nfiyrj^rj ixne Mmijiers,

* and their Ciurche.% 4/. true Churchrj. Toi^ .1 confefs-
' has a mighty Vifiveocebp^^'n me. Th^jlober Diflent--

* ing Mini Iters, as far "as T am acquainted with them,'
' aretnanift^ft m my Confcience to be faithful Mini-

* (lets of jefus Chriit ; and ii) their Adminiftrations I

* cannot but fee the Inftitution of Ordinances ob-
' ferv'd, and eye;y Thin^ well fiit'^d to anfvyer the

* End of them : ITcnowniany who cohftantiy attend
' in their Affemblie*, and have obferved them to be

* found in their Principles, fober in their Lives, honeft

* in their Dealings, conflant in their Devotion?, and

* in all Inrta^ncts to have given undeniable Proof of
*■ their being fincere good Chriftians ; when therefore

* in the ^jooks and Se.nwons that plead for the Church
' of !iy}gUnd, I find thefe Minifters, cenfur'd and con-

* demn'd as yfur|-crSy tippoftors, and Lay-intruders ;

* all theix Aan^iniflration nuii'd, their Affemblies de-

* nied to be Parts of the Caiholick Church, all that
' join with th' m femenced as Schifmaticks to the Pit

* of Hell, and no Hopes of Sal vadon given them, but

* what Clod's General Mercy aljows to Moral Hea-

* iheiw"; and all, the Reformed Churches that have no

* ^ifhops, falling fo fir under the fkme Cenfure, that

* their Miniders cannot be admuted Minifters of the
' Church of E>ij^!nnd^ unlefs they Be Re-ordain'd,
^ while thofe th-t have been Popilh Pnefts may ; and

* all thefe h-ril^ Cenfures excus'd f/om Uncharitable-
» * nefs with this^ tiiat they cannot help it, theirPrinci-

* pies If^ad em. to! it; then think I, the Lord deliver

* me from fncH Principles, and from that pretended

* Unity which is deftrudive of real Charity 1 On the
' other Side, I find the Difltnters willingly owning

* tW Ef^ablifh'd Chufches as irue Churches, their Mi-

* niflrrs as true Minifters, their Principles leading them

* to do fo. \ often hear them in theif Publick Aflem-

* Mies pray, fox them, and £b|' their Succefs in their

* Mlniflry, apd profefs thei^ Communion with them.
Il, in Faithj Hope and Love, aiid i:i :hcir commoa

* Convcric;

Ghap. XIX. after the Revolution in 1688. 679

* Converfe I hear \m fpeak of them with Love and Re-^«. 1704-
^ (pe(^. My Judgment and IncHoation leads me co the

* charitable Side, as the beft and fafeft ; and by all I

* have read and heard in this Comroverfy, that appears
J to me to be the Side of the DilTenters.

6. * I think it is my Duty to attend m thofe Admini-

* flratlons which I find to he moft for my onn Edifica-

* tim in Faith ^ H.olinefs^ and Comfort^ and beft ( with
^ me) to anfxver the Ends of Holy Ordinances, Herein

* I hope I may be allow'd to judge for my felf ; I have

* often tried both, and if I know my own Heart,

* without Prejudice or Partiality, and I muft fay, that

* I have found my Heart more affe6ied and enlarged

* in thofe Confeflions, Prayers, and Tbankigivings,

* which have been offered up wiihoui a ftated prefcrib-

* ed Form, than ever it was in thofe that have been

* unavoidably ty'd up to certain Words. Far be it fronci

* me to make Gomparifons of Men's Abilities and Per-
' formances. I greatly honour and value the Gifts and

* Labours of many that are in the Publick Eftabliih-

* ment ; but to my Capacity the Diffenters Praying

* and Preaching is moft adapted^ acd moft profitable ;

* and thofe I am to reckon the beft Gifts, and to coveP

* earneftlyj which I find by Experience beil for me,

* Sabbath Time is precious, and I would willingly iiipi-

* prove it fp as will be raoft for my Advantage in

* keeping up Communion with God, and preparing
' for Heaven. If it be owing co my own Weaknefs

* that thefe Admiftrations are moft agreeable to me,

* yet while I finceiely defign God's Glory, and my

* own Spiritual Benefit therein, I truft, through
' Chrift, that God will not only forgive me, but accept

* me, and thit th^y zMo who are ftrong mil bear mtb
'^ my Infirmities.

* Thefe are the Principles I go upon, and from tjien^

* I conclude,

I . * That if the prefent Didate of my Confcience

* and Practical Judgment be^ that it is my Duty to

* chufe my fiated Communion with the Congregations

* of Diflenters, then it is my Sin if I do not do it j

* for to bim that kflows to 4pgoody and doth it not^ to him.

* it K Sin,

68o Some tiifiorical Additions Chap. XIX.

Jin* 1704. X. ' Then by Occafional Communion with the

* Church of Englajiit, whereby I defign to teftifie my

* Charity and Cathoiick Cotnmunion, and my Appro-
' bat-ion of chat in it which is good, I do not in the

* leaf^ condemn my ftated Communion with the Dif-

* fencers ; for though I am not convinced that it is a

* Sin of Commiilion at any Time to join with the

* Eflablifhed Cburch,nor that anyThing in itfelf unlaw-

* fill is required as the Condition of Lay Communion,

* yec upon the Grounds aforefaid I am fuUy convinced

* it would be a Sin of Omiflion not to join with the
' Diflenters. I will not condemn any Thing that is

* good, nor refufe a Icfs good, when a better is not in

* my reach ; but when it is, I think 1 am obliged in
^ Duty to God, and in Concern for my own Soul to

* prefer it. All Things are lawful for me, but all Things

* edifie not,

3. Then in all this I am far from judging and cen-

* furing thofe who diifer from me. 1 walk according

* to my prefent Light, preferring that which I thinS

* and find to be beft ; and I venly believe thofe good

* Chriftians whom I know, that conftantiy join with

* the Publick Eftablilhment do fo too, preferring that

* which they think and find to be beft ; and both they

' and I (I truft) are accepted of God. To thofe who ,

* condemn me herein, I fhall only offer that reafonable
f Demand of St. Paul's, 2 Cor. 10. 7. If any Man
•* truji to himfelf that he is Chnji''s, let him of himfelf

* thinl{ this agnin^ that oi he is Chriji's, even Jo are v^e
' ChnJi'S.

An. 1703. The Mifcarriageof the Occafiona! Bill, provok'd

fome Men to that Degree, that they fcem'd terribly

fearful the Church would be ruin'd, .ind with great

Bitternefs inveighed againft the Governnnent, the Iv'-ni-

ftcrs of State, The Houfe of Lords, the Bilhops ; and

all that contributed to the eroding of their Defig >.

In the Election of a New Parliament which came c;i

this Year, The Danger of the Church was the common

Cry on one Side, while the Danger from the Tackcrs was

The Memo- the Cry on the other ; but the Moderate Party carried

Tin! of the it : The Memorial of the Church nf England was fent

Church of forth to enflame the Nation, and made more Noife

rng.and. than any Thine that had been of 2 long Time pub-

lifli'd.

Ghap. XIX. after the Revolution in 1688. 681

lifti-d. This M^wa^nW bitterly complain d of the great ^«. 1705.
Favour ihewn to the Diflenters and their Abetters, and
reprefemed the Church, as us'd moft unmercifully by
the Queen and her Miniftry, and moft terribly Peife-
fecuted : And among others, there is this remarkable
Palfage in it ; 1/ the DiJJenters xvill be dijcbli^d if they
are not put into Place and Authority, and the C. of E.
xvill be difobliged if they are^ whence may the greateji In-
convenience arife ? Perhaps cur voife Men thinl^^ themfelves
fecure in the Pajfive Principles of the Church, ^g^irifi any
l^efentments on that Side j and therefore bend all their Ap-
plication to gain t' other y vehofe Temper

and Principles are more mutinous *, * ^/ *^'^^» *he World is left to
If this be their true Motive, they sudge by the Sequel, That the
may be fmple voell meaning Men^ Temper of High Church hat
hut mud be metched Politicians, ^^^« fufficiently Mutinous, ap-
The Principles of the C. of E. mU {,^^" (l''^'^''' Memorial and
JT r -KA . I ^ J / *"^ °"^^*' lamphlets and Ser-

difpofe Men to hear a great deal ; ^j^.^j^ ^^^^ j^^.^,^ .^

but hesa Mad-man that trtes hox9 jp^rfuance of it : uiU that their
much. For when Men are very much Principles are bad emugh, ap-
provoked. Nature is very apt to rebel pears from their Praftices, in
againft Principle, and then the Odds the InfurreHion upon the Trial
/ire vaft on Nature's Side. Wlnther of Dr. Sacheverel, and its Con-
the Provocations given to the C. of E. fequences.
may riot if continii d, be fir ong enough
to rous[e Nature, fome of our Statefmen would do well to
confider in Time, For tho* the Church is not to be
wrought up to I{ebellion, yet they may be fo alarmed, as to
fecure themfelves, at the Expence of thofe Mini/iers who
give them the Alarm, Nor is it to be expecled, that they
fhould long bear to be thus ufed, and fee a Party that they
linow feei^ their ^uin, courted at their Expence, This whole
Memoy in! was indeed a plain Threatning of the Court
gnd the Miniftry. Enquiry was made after the Author or
Authors ; but no fatisfacSory Difcovery could bemad^*
This Paiwphlet gave general Offence. It \yas anfwer'd
Paragraph by Paragraph : And yet fome there were
that vindicated it. It was for a Time the moft com-
mon Subjed of all Converfation. And whoever will
he at the Pains to give it the reading now, and com-
pare feveral Paflages of it with what has fincc hap-
per/d, will be apt to conclude, that they who fram'd
this Memorial, gave Meafures to Other?, and hs^d the
Conducjl of the whole Party.

It

682 Some Hiftorkal Additions Chap. XIX.

7hr Tfn-

CttdzTtgi lit

170 J. Ic was prefcntcd by the Grand Jury of the City of

London ; and by Order oif that Court burnt at the Oldr
Baily^ and before the i{pynUExchayige : And the new
Parliament met in Odoher^ under the Impreffions of ill
Oefigrjs on foot, among fome that pretended a mighty
Zeal f^)r the Intereft of the Church.

Her Majefty in her tiilt Speech to the two Houfes,
Otl. 27. among other 1 hings earneftly recommended
4' * An Union of Minds and Affections, as that which
would above all Things difappoint and defeat the
Hopes and Defigns of our Enemies .- And added thefe
memorable iVords : I cannot but with great Grief ob-
fervc, there are fome amongft us, who endeavour to
fornent Animoftiies ; but i perfwade my felf they
win be found to be very few, when you appear to
aifift me, in dircountenancmg and defeating fuch
Prai^lices^ I mention this with a little more Warmth,
becaufe there have not been wanting fome fo
very malicious, as even in Print t© fuggeft the C. of
E. as by Law EftabJiih'd, to be in Danger at this
Time. I am willing to hope not one of my Subjeds,
can really entertain a Doubt of my Affection to the
Church, or fo much as fufpe(5t that it will not be my^
chief Care to fiipport it, and leave it fecure after me.
And therefore we may be certain that they who go
about to infinuate Things of this Nature, muft be
mine and the Kingdom's Enemies, and can only
mean to cover Defigns which they dare not publickly
own,' by endeavouring to diitiac^ us with unreafona-
ble and groundlefs Dvftriifts and jeaioufies. 1 will al-
ways affi.(5tionately lupport and counienance the C,
of E. as by 1 aw Eftabhlh'd. I will inviolably
maintain the Tolerati6n, ^c* The Lords in the'ir
Addrefs, intirelv Hnrmonizd with her Majefty, in
tbefe Words : ' We alfure your Majefty, we will do all

* we can to difcounte nance and defeat the Defigns and
and Praflices of thofe who foment Animofities among,
your People, and will ever (hew the utmoft Derefta-

* lion of thofe ungrateful and wicked Men, who la-
bour to difbonour your Ma jefty's Reign, and diftra(9«
your Subje6ts with iinreaionable andgroundlefsjealou-'

* fits of Danger to the G. of F. We /hall be ready to con-
cur in all Meafures requifire to put a ftopto the Malkre

I' of thcie Incendiaries." Th«. Commons alfo wercin

■ . , - . < i

• ' ■ tl22

Chap. XIX. after the R^^^ 68g

tbe fame Difpofition, as appears from thefe Words in An. ijjq^*

the Addrefs of their Houfc : * It is the greateft Con-

^ cern imaginable to us, to find your Majefty has fo

' juft Reafon to refent the Ingratitude of fome, who

' endeavour to foment Aninaofities and Divifions a-

' mongft us : And we cannot without Indignation le-

* fled, that there ihould be any fo Malicious as to in-
' finuate that the C. of E, as by Law EftablUhM, is, or
' ever can be in Danger, for want of your Majefty*s
' Care and Zeal to fupport and maintain it. Thefe
' Suggeftions proceed from your Majefty *s and the
^ Kingdom's Enemies, who to cover their own Difaf-

* feaion to the prefent Eftablifliment and Adnainiftra-

* tion, endeavour to diftrac^ your Subjefts, with un-
^ reafonable and groundlefs Diftrufts and JealoufieS.

* Your Majefty may be affured, that your Commons

* will zcalouily concur in every Thing that may tend

* to difcourage and puniih fuch Incendiaries, and to

* difappoint your Enemies both at Home and Abroad.

On Dec. 6. There were warm Debates in the Houfe DeBata a-
of Lords upon this Capital Point, whether or no the^^'w* ff*^
Church of England was in Danger. The Lord Rochefter ^^n?^' <>f
declared himfelf afraid the Church was in Danger, be- ^"^ ^''«^^'^'
caufe of the A(5t of Security which had paffed in Scof^
land, by which that People were Arm'd, and fo had a
Power given them to invade England, where they had
a great Party of Friends, who never wanted Will to
deftioy the Church. That he tho't the Heir of the
Crown ought to be prefent, in order to be fully ac-
quainted with our Conftitution, and enabled to pre-
vent Evil Defignsupon Church and State. And that
the Occnfionnl Bill was in it felf fo reafonable, and the
Churches Requeft in it fo fmall, that the Induftry for
oppofing it, gave the greater ground of Sufpicioo-^^
The Lord Halifax faid, that the Aft of Security
in Scotland, was wholly foreign to Church Affairs.
That the Abfence of the Princefs Sophia was a Danger
to the Church, but lately ftarted ; and that he hop'd
the Ads for Lords Juftices had made fach Provifionp
that he thought no Evil could happen to the Church
after the Queens Death, before her Arrival. That a
Clergyman in a Company of Convocation- Men ( as he
could prove) had faid, ihatthatPrincefs wsLsSLnunbapfij(d
Lutheran i and therefore he wonder'd how hes coming

-"'■;"■"" ;*"'/"" ihould? ,

684 Some Hiftorhal Additions Chap. XlXr

^^^^'~~ ""^^^^ ~ — ■

^ 170$' fhould now be rcckon'd fuch a Security to the Church.
That it had appear d to that Houfc, when they can-
vafTed the Occafional Bil/y that it would not prove a Se-
curity to the Church, but rather the conrrary. That
there had been Tinaes when the Church was in Dan-
ger. As when King Charles II, reigned, that was a
J{pmamfl, and yet the Church thought her felf then
fecure, and thofe Patriots who flood up in Defence of
it, and endeavoured to prevent the Evils that might en-
fuc from a Popiih Succeflion, were difcountenanc'd and
punifh'd. That when that Succeflbr came to the
Throne, and the Church was apparently in the greateft
Danger, fome could (it in the High CommiJJion Court, Gfc,
That after the Acceflion of King fVilliam to the
Crown, the Cry of the Churthes Danger hegzn, and
was continu'd all his Reign ; but he could not teJl up-
on what Ground. That upon her Majefty's Succefllon
the Complaint was filentfor a Time, but revived upon
fier making fome Alterations in her Miniftry ; but with-
out any juft Reafon, C^c The Bifhop of London in
Proof of the Churches Danger, urg'd the cotnmonneft
of Prophanenefs and Irreligion, and the Licentioufnefs
of the Prefs ; and that Sermons were preach'd, in
which Rebellion was authorized, and Refinance to
the higher Powers encouraged : fn which he referred
to a Sermon of Mr. Hoadlys before the Lord Mayor,
printed not long before. The Bilhop of Sarum replied,
that if the Dodirine of that Sermon was not good, he
did not know what Defence his Lordlhip could make
for his Appearance in Arms at Kcttingh^m. He imput-
ed all the prefent Clamour to the Ambition and Dif-
content of particular Men. And faid, that the Church
would always be fubjedi to the Enmiry of Prophanenefs
and Irreligion ; and refledted on fome Sermons preach'd
at Oxford upon Publick Occalions. The Archbilhop
of Tork intimated his Apprehcnlion of Danger from the
mcreafe of Diffentcn and their Academies ; and mov'd
that the Judges might be cohjultcd what Laws were in
Force againfi fuch Seminaries^ and b) what Means they
might be fupfreffed. The Lord H^narton mov'd for con-
fuking the Judges about Means of fupprelling the
Schools and Seminaries of Non-Jurors, G^c. And added,
thar after all the Cry of the Churches Danger, he

couid find nothing in u, but the D. of B , £. of /<,

and

Chap. XIX. after the Revolution in 1688. 685

and the E. of N, were out of Race, ^c. The Bilhop ^* 1705.

iA Ely mov'd for confulting the Judges about the Power

of the Queen to vifit the Univerfities ; complaining

of the heat and paffion of the Gentlemen there, which

they inculcated upon their Pupils, who brought the

fame Fury with them to the Parilhes when they came

Abroad, to the great difturbance of Publick Charity,

He complain'd alfo, of the undutifulnefs of the Clergy

to their Bifhops, and the difficulty they had to govern

them regularly. The Bifliop of Coventry 2indi Litchfield,

alfo complain'd of the opprobrious Names the Clergy

gave their Bifhops, and the calumnies they laid on

them, as if they were in a Plot to deftroy the Church,

and had compounded to be the laft of their Order, and

when the Plot was ripe, were to refign their Bifliop-

licks, and accept a Penfion for Life, ^c. The Bilhop

of Bnth and H^ells complain'd of the Terms of High

Church and Low Church, The D. of Leeds^ fajd that

the Church could not be fafe without the A(St againft

Cecafional Conformity ; and added, that the Q:— had4n

Difcourfe with him declar'd her Self of that Opinion.

The Lord Sommers faid, that for Men to raife ground-

lefs Jealoufies at this Time of Day, could mean no lefs,'

than an intention to embroil us at Home, and to defeat

all our Glorious Defigns Abroad. Upon the whole, it

was carried by a Majority of 61 Lords againft 30, that

the C. of B, was not in Danger; and it was Refolv'd,

That the C. of E, a by Law BJlahliflod, which was refcud

from the extreameU Danger by i^. WIL LI AM IIL «/

Glorious Memory^ is now by God's Blejftng^ under the Happy

I(eign of Her Myejly, in a moFt fafe and fioiirifhing Coti"

dition: And that whoever goes about to fuggeSl and injinu*

ate, that the Church is in Danger under Her Majefiys Ad-

minijiration^ ts an Enemy to the Queen, the Church, and

the Kjngdom, And 18 Lords entred their Proteft again t

this Refolution, with their Reafons.

On Dec, 8, the Commons debated the fame Point in
a full Houfe. Mr. Bromley began ; urging the fame Ar-
guments to prove the Church to be in Danger, as had
been infifted on in the Houfe of Peers; and he was
backed by Sir J, P: But it was carried that the Church
was fafe, by xi 2 Voices, againft i6i. The Two Hoii-
fes agreed to lay their Refolution before Her Majefty,
and made an Addrefs to Her accordingly j and begg'd

that

686 Sr^fke Hffiorical Addilions Chap. XIX.

An. 1765. thit She would take effectual Meafures for the making
the faid i^<?/o/ttf /o« Publick ; and alfo for punilliing the
Authors and fpreaders of thefe feditious and fcandaiou^
Reports, C?c. And purfuam to it a Proclamation was
KTu'd out, offering a Reward of loo/. to any one that
ihould difcovcr the Author or Authors of the Mcmoriaf^
fo as that he might be brought to Juftice fot his Offencb,

Her Majefty in Her clofing Speech at the end of the
Seflion, exprefs'd her Self thus. Your Vnanimit) and
^eal, which I have ohfervd voith great SntufaBion^ through"
&ut this whole SeJJion^ againji every Thing that tends to-
wards Seditiony doth Jo much difcourage all fuch Attempts
for the Future^ and hath fet fuch nn Example to the whole
f\ingdom^ that I doubt not but you will find the EffeHs of
it every where : And t ajfure my Self you will mal{e it yc.u¥
Bufinefi and Care to improve and perfeS that good Wqy\
you have fo far advanced ; and by continuing to /hew d
diflik? of aU FaQions^ and turbulent Proceedings^ and re-
folving to difcountehance the encouragers of them^ you ^ill
foon make the whole Kingdom fenfible of the good Effecls of
fo Prudent and Happy a ConduB,
The Affair Another Thing that made no little Noife this Seflioii
d/Carolina. was the Affair of Carolina. A Petition was prefented
to the H6ufe of Lords, Sign* d by Mr. Jofeph Boone, and
many Metchstnts of London^ reprefenting that King
C^<<r/ejIL granted a Charter bearing date March z^. i66j,
•to Edward ^zt\ of Clarendon^ 8cc. and their Heirs, the
Tra<9: of Land, ^c. caird Carolina, to be held of the
Crown of England as a County Palatine, with Power
to them and their Heirs to make Laws for the Govern-
ment of the faid Colony, ^c. That exprefs Provifion
is made in the faid Chartery for a Toleration, and In-
dulgence to all Chriftians in the free Excrcife of their
Religion. That in 1669 thb Lords Proprietors of thti
faid Colony, fetlcd the Method of its Government in
fcvcral Articles, call'd, The Fundamental Conftituticns of
the faid Colony. That in them it was provided exprefly,
That no Perfon fhould be difturb'd^ for any Jpeculative Opi-
nion in Religion, and that no Perfon fhould on the Account
of ^eligiony be excluded from being a Member in the Ge»
neral Ajfembly, or from any other Ojfice of the Civil Admi-
nijlration: And that thefe Conftitutions wereconfirm'd
in 1689. That after the AO: of Uniformity many Sub-

jeds

Chap. XIX. after the kevoUition in 1688. 687

|e^ of £w^/4«£^ cranfplanted themfdves thither j 2ixyd Ah. i-?g«.
chat the greateft Part of the Inhabitants were Proteftanc
Diflenters from the C. of £, and liv'd in Pea<:e, under
the Freedom of the faid Fundamental Conftitutims. But
that in 1703, great Partiality and Injuftice was us'd in
the Choice of a new General AiTembly, which on
Ncv, 4. 1704, had pafs'd an Ad:, by which lo Lay Per-
fons were incorporated for the Exercife of feveral Ex-
orbitant Powers, and all Ecclefiaftical Jurifdidliona
with abfolute Power to deprive a Minifter of the C of £,
of his Benefice, not only for Immorality, but Impru-
dence, and any iixrurable Animofities between him and
his Parifli, &c. That they had alfo pafs'd another Ai^,
May 6. 1704, to incapacitate every Perfon from being
a Member of any General AlTembly for Time to comcj,
imlefs he had taken the Sacrament of the Lord's Suppei
according to the Rites of the C. of £, by which alS
Proieftant Diflenters are made incapable of being of the
faid Aflembly: And yet that by the faid Ad, all Per-
fons who will take an Oath, that they have not re-
ceiv'd.the Sacrament in any DilTenting Congregation foe
a Year paft, tho' they had not receiv'd in the C. of £,
were made capable of being of it ; And that in the
Preamble to the faid kOt it is alferted, that by the Laws
and Ufage of England, all Members of Parliament arc
oblig'd to Conform to the C. of jB, by receiving the Sa-
crament of the Lord's Supper, according to the Rites
of the faid Church. That this A<^ was paft illegally:
And the faid Colony hereupon in danger of being ruin'd»'
Hereupon the Houfe of Lords, after hearing the Lord
Granville^ who was then Palatine of the Province of
Carolina^ by his Council, and debating the Matter a-
mong themfelves, made an Addrefs ,to Her Majefty,
fignifying that they had receivM fuch a Petition and
weigh'd it, and come to the following Refolutions.
1. That it was the Opinion of the Houfe, chat the late
A<ft of the AlTembly in Carolin.^^ entitul'd, 4n AH for
the Eftabli[hment of ^ligious Pf^or/hip, 8cc. as far as ic
relates to the Eftablilhiog a Commiffioa for the difpla-
cing Rcdfcors, &c. is not warranted by their Charter,,
or Confonant to Reafon, but repugnant to the Laws of
this Realm, and deftrudlive to the Conftitution of the
C. of £. 2. That the late Adt there, for the more
effedual Prefervation of the Government, by requiring

688 Some Hi/iorkal Additions Chap. XIX.

An. 170$. aH Members of the Commons Houfe of Aflcmbly to
Conform to the Religious Worfhip of the C of H, is
founded upon falfiry in Matter of Fad:, is repugnant
to the Laws of Englnndj contrary to the Charter, an
encouragement to Atheifm and Irreligion, deftrudive
to Trade, and tends to the depopulating and ruining
of the faid Province, ^c.
The Tro- With this new Parliament, a new Convocation alfo

cecdin^s of for the Province of Canterbury met at St. Pauls, O^. 25.

the Con- fhc Latin Sermon was preach'd by Dr. Stanhope, ^

yocation, Dp^ Binkj carried it from Dr. Stanhope for Prolocutor, '
and was prefented by the Dean of Chrift Church. The a
Upper Hoiife foon agreed in an AddrefstoHerMajefty,
which they fent down to the Lower. It contained hum-
ble Thanks for Her affectionate Care and tender Con-
cern for the C. of E, as Eftablifh'd by Law, from Her
firft AccefTion to the Throne to this Day. And then
they added thus, by way of Harmony with the Two
Houfes of Parliament: PVj are exceedingly grievd that
any of your Siihjcfts fhould he Jo ungrateful and unworthy y
at once to fugged that cur Church can be in Danger, for
want of fuch Support and Encouragement in your Majejiys
^eign, di may make it Flour ifh in your ownTimej and teste it
fecure after you. And altho it k no new Thing for defigri"
ing M-'n to proflitute the venerable Name of the Church to
the Service of their own private Ends, yet we thinly it very
Hrav'^e that any ftoould he found Jo extreamly weal{ and un"
. dutiful as to be deluded by theje groundle^ Clamours^ when
they have been Jo often and Jo publickjy conjuted by your
£{pyal f^ord and Atlions ; and when the happy State of the
C. of E. is Jo much obfervd and ejieem'd Abroad^ that Je»
vcral of the Foreign Churches are endeavouring to accommo^
Hate themfelves to our Liturgy and Conjiitution, To infi"
nuate that the Church is in Danger, under thefe Circum-
JianceSf aiid againji /ill the Tcflimo7iies and Ajjurances of
your R^yal Care and ProtcBion, can proceed from nothing
but Prejudice, Intcre^, and Atnhition, We humbly crave
leave to exprej^ our just ^fentment cf the indignity of all
fuch Suggcfticns , not only di falfe and groundlefs in
themJelveSf but chiefly as they are difhonourable [{efleBions
upon your B^yal Promijes for the Support of the Church, and
Upon your Princely Wijdorn in choojing the most proper and
effeBual Meajures to that ejid, VVc beg leave aljo in a deep
Senje ojyour Majejiys GoodneJ^^ and an intire dependance

upon

Chap. XIX. after the HcDolHtion in jt688, 689

nponyour ^al iVord^ to ekprefi our great Joy and Satis. An. 170^.

faEHori^ in the flourifhing Condition of the Church under ydur

molf Aujpiciaus Government, We are fiire it xvill altvays

be in your will to Support and ProteB it j arid that the Di-

firaFtions which thcje groundlefl Jealoufies are intended to

raife^ may never put it out of your Povper^ we Promife

to ufe our utmost Endeavours to difcounttnance them, and in

our feve^al Stations^ to defend and preferve inviolably, fo

far as in us lies^ the Do^rine^ Di[cipHne\ and IVorfhip of

cur Church oi by Lato Ejiablijh'd ; and to promote Peace

nyid "Unity amongst your Suhjeds ; p'aying earnejily for your

M.'ij''fty''s long and Projperous Hsign over w ^ as under the

'£>lvin? Providence^ the greatest BUffing and Security that

either Church or State can enjoy.

Some in the Lower Houfe were for agreeing to this
jAddrefs with Alteraiions : But the Majority carried it
for drawing up one of their own. A Committee was
fix*d on^ and the Dean of Chrifi Church at their next
Meeting reported an wholly new Form, which contained
Thanks to Her Majefty for Her great Zeal for the
Church, and tender Afiedkion. to it, but exprefs'd not
that full Satisfadtibn as to the fafety of the Church,
and that Indignation againft fuch as reprefehced her tt>
be in Danger, as appear'd in rhat which came dowh
from the Opper Houfe. This new Addrefs was carry'cj
up by the Prolocutor, Nov. 19. The Archbilliop made
Anfwer in Writing, that they could not receive their
Addrels,, but required them to go back to their Houfe^
and to confidcr the Addrefs fent dovvn to them,, and
either agree to it, or bring lip theit Exceptions agaiilft
it in Writing.

Some of the Lower Houfe, when they return d were
for doing this : But the Majority in Two Meetings,
agreed, that fuch Notice be taken of thofe Words in the
Meffage from tHfe Upper Ho'jfe, ttA\ canndt receive the Adr-
dfc\l you have offer' d to wy, as to affirm, and effe^lually
aflert their Righty of having what they offer'd to the
Upper Houfe receiv'd by his Grace and their Lordfhips :
That it was proper for the Houfe in their Anfwer to
fay, that they conceived their Lordfhips refufal was ari
infringement of that Right: That it is not a neceffary
Duty of the Lower Houfe to reconfider, when theic
Lordfhips require it, what they have declar'd to their
Lbrdlhips they hav« maturely coniider'dj and cai^noi

Y y joiii

6oo Some Hijlorkal Additions Chap, XIX.

«^- 1705. join in it. That the Lower Houfe notwitbftanding
their Lordftiips expedlation exprefs'd in their Meflage,
was ftill at Liberty to difagree, without offering their
Exceptions: However, ihey agreed to reconfider the
Addrefs of the Lords, and to lay before them the fub-
ftance of the Refohiticns foregoing. They alfo agreed,
not to depart from their former Refolution of not join-
ing with their Lord(hips in their Addrefs; and after-
wards, not 10 carry up any Exceptions to their Lord-
fhips Addrefs ; but to fignifie to them that it is the un-
doubted Right of ihe Lower Houfe to have the Paper
they prefented receiv'd by their Lordlhips, and that
ihey hop'd they would be fatisfy'd upon perufing it:
And that the Lower Houfe entirely confided in Her
Majefty's Zeal for the C. of £, and an hearty detefta-
tion of all Perfons that fhould endeavour to raife any
Jealoufies concerning it. And purfuant to thefe Refo-
lutions, a Paper was carry 'd from the Lower to the Up-
per Houfe, on Dec. i .

On Dec 1 6, the Dean of Peterborough Protefted a-
gainft the Irregularities of the Lower Houfe; And par-
ticularly againft the Prolocutors proroguing the Houfe
by the Authority of the Houfe iifelf; The pretending
to a Power to put the Prolocutor into the Chair be-
fore he is confirm'd by the Archbilhop and Biftiops :
The pretending to a Power ro give leave to their Mem-
bers to abfent themfelvcs, and fubftitute Proxies : The
elcding an A£luary in prejudice of the Right of the
• Archbilhop: The late difrefpe(5tful and undutiful Car-
riage of the Houfe to the Archbilhop and Bilhops, in re-
fufmg their Addrefs to Her Majefty, without making
any Exceptions, &c, his Proteftation was (ign'd by 50
Perfons and Proxies befides himfeif. The Lower Houlc
would not fuffer this Proteftation to be read, and there-
fore it was carried to the Upper, and entered in their A(5l:s.
Some Time after the Convocation was prorogu'd to
lAiirch I ; by which Time Her Majefty was pleas'd to
fend a Letter to the Archbilhop, dated Febr. 25. (igni-
fying Her concern that the Differences in Convocation
were ftill kept up, and rather encreas'd than abated :
And that She was the laiore furpriz'd, becaufe it had
been Her conftant Care and Endeavour to prclervc the
Conftitution of the C. of E. as by Law Eftablifh'd, and
to difcountenance all Divifions and Innovations whatfo-
• ever

Chap. XIX. after the Revolnthn in i62^. 6qi

ever ; Declaring She was Refolv'd to maintain Her Su- An, 1705.
■premacy^ and the due Subordination of Presbyters to
Biihops, as Fundamental Parts thereof; and that She
expedted that he and his Suffragans (hould adt Confor-
mably to his and Her Refolution ; and that in fo doing
they might be affur'd of the Continuance of Her Fa-
vour and Protedtion : And that neither of them Ihouid
be wanting to any of the Clergy, whilft they were true
to the Conftitution, and dutiful to Her, and their Ec-
clefiaftical Superiours ; and preferv'd fuch a Temper as
became All, but efpeciaJly thofe who were in Holy Or-
ders : And She required him to Communicate this to the
Bilhopsand Clergy; and on March i, to prorogue the
Convocation to fuch Time as appear'd moft convenient.
The Archbifhop being indifpos'd, fent the Bifliop of
NoTfvichf to Communicate the Queens Letter to the
Convocation. The Members of the Lower Houfe
who came up wiih the Prolocutor had fcarce Pacience
to ftay and hear the Letter; and when they came to
their own Houfe, they Adjourn'd th^mTelves to the
Wednefday following.

Mr. Oliyjfe this Year publifh'd his zd Defence of Mini- Booh and
Jlerial Conformity; and Mr. Hoadly his Defence of the ^a- ^amph/ets
fonahlenejl of Conformity: Both which I confider'd in my *^'** ^^^^
Defence of Moderate Nonconformity ; Part the 3d: Con- f^^^'fl'^'
raining a Vindication of the Silenc'd Miniftersfor con-
tinuing their Miniftry ; of the Reafons of the People
for adhering to them, and their Succeffors; and of the
Occafional Conformity of them and their adherents.

Mr. Benjamin Hoadly, alfo, this Year preach'd a Ser-
mon at St. Lawrence Jevpry, before the Eledion of the
Lord Mayor, upon i^ow. 13. i. as he had fome Time
before Printed a very good Sermon on the Anniverfary
Day of Thank fgiving for the Qpeens AcceiFion to the
Crown. He fo ftrenuoully defended Liberty and Pro-
perty, that he fell under the Indignation and Cenfures
of High Church. They thundred againft him in a va-
riety of Pamphlets, according to their ufual Cuftom.
One publilh'd a Vindication o/f^je London Clerq^y from the
Afperfions which he had cart upon them.^ Another,
St. Paul no mover of Sedition; Or a brief Vindication of
that Apoftle, from his falfe and difingenuous Expofition,
CJir. But he deionded himfelf nobly, in his Mcafures rf
Submiffiony &c. for which all true hearted EvgUfh Men

Yy 2 own

692 Some Hillortcal AddHions Chap. XlX.

Att. 1705. own themfelves indebted] to him. For my Part, tho' I
have often wondred that his Principles did not carry
hiaa farther, and that he fliould not be a$ much againft
an Ecchfjnjiicii/ as a Civil Slaven, yet it troubled
me to he engaged in a Controvcrfie with one, who was
{o feT\ iceableto his Cowntry.

Mr. Dodwel upon his old narrow Bottom, now pub-
lifti'd a Tra(ft, Entituled, Occnfional Communion Funda-
mentally Dfftruciive of the Diftifline of the Primitive Ca-
tholicl^Chwch; and contrary to the DoEirine of the late Si
Scriptures^ concerning Clnrrch Communion^ 0(St. And
aiKJther Celebrated- Writer, puHifh'd An Hiftorical Ac-
count of Compreherifion nnd ~tolei-ation^ from the Old Pu-
titati, to the New Latittidinarian, with their continu'd
Proje(fts and Dcfigns, in Oppofition to the Orthodox
Eftablifhment. My Abridgement comes in for a tafte of
his genteel, mild, candid Spirit and Treatment : But I
doubt not much to the Credit of the Writer, or the Sa-
lisfad^ion of the Reader, that has any regard to tht
f'Vords of Truth or Sobernefi. Now alfo came out, The
l{ights of the Church of England, in Anfwer to the Rights
of the Protcftant Diffenters. Dedicated to the Houfc
of Commons. He very handfomely calls the Gentle-
man he writes againft, an injolem Author -^ and he treats
him accordingly. He complains in his Preface, of ha-
ving to do with provcl{iT!g^ cx-jperAnng^ incorrigible Ad'
verfaries; but 1 dotibt his Way of dealing with them,
did not make many Converts. He tells the World he
has to do with a pert fVt iter, a wretched Vpftart^ an infolent
Scribler, and tin ignorant and impudent Advocate : 'Twas
therefore a wonder he ftiould beftow fo much Pains up-
on him. Why did he not pat his Time to a better Ufe ?
But when he talks of a Shifmatical Party chat burnt Lon-
don, and the Ships at Chattham^ were plotting Mifchief
againft the Church of England ac Hanover^ and were
ready at the watch Word and Signal given, to mob
the Houfe of Commons, AflalTinate Her Majefty, and
join with a F treign Enemy to invade the Kingdom,
and fubvert the Church and Government, he takes
an cffciSlual Way not to be belicv'd, as long as any Me^-
morials of the Times prefent are remaining; nor to be re-
garded in his malevolent Charges and furious Inve£lives.

Now alfo came out a Juftification of the Diflenters
from Mr. Bennet's Charge of Scbifm : and Mr. Palfner'%

Vin-

Chap. XIX. after the Revolution iniSQS, 693

Vindication of the Learning, Loyalty, Morals, and-4». 170s-
Chriftian Behaviour of tfie Diflenters towards the
Church of England, in Anfwei to Mr. TVejJe/s Defence
of his Lettei. And tho' that Author has fince fallen in
with the Church of England^ yet that makes no altera-
tion in the Truth of Matters of Fa(^ related, nor does
it abate of the Strength of the Argument purfud.
And finally ; now alfo came out, Mr. TaOent'sfhort Hi-
ftoY) of Schi/rHy for the promoting of Chriftian Mode-
ration, and the Communion of Saints. The Two No- ,
tions which this Tradk oppofes are thefej that all
who are Guilty of Schifm, live in a Courfe of Sin,
as ruinous as Murder or Adultery, and are in a State of
Damnation ; and that we may not at any Time Wor-
fhip God with fuch. The firft Notion, that Schifma-
ticks are out of the Church and capnot b^ fav'd, but
are in a damnable State, is proved to be taken from the
I{omanifts-^ and it is flxewn that it has no ground in
Scripture 5 that it cuts off a great part of Chrift's
Church, and damns Multitudes of excellent Perfons
in all Ages and Places; and be fhews it by rec-
koning up the moft eminent and remarkable Schifms;
and he adds, that this Notion is grounded only on
fpme Paflfages ia St. Cyprian^ and others of the Fathers,
which are conlider'd. The fecond Notion, that we are
not to Worfhip God with Schifmaticks, comes alfo, he
owns, from the Fathers: But he confiders the Scrip-
ttires they alledge ia the Cafe, and gives InftancesoE
forae that Communicated with Schifmaticks in the
Primitive Times. And he fhews that its good to Wor-
fhip God fometimes, with thofe with whom we do not
conftantly ; and anfwers Objections againft it ; and
(hews that he underftood, and was really willing to
maintain the Communion of Saints, as. well as keep it
as an Article in his Creed.

In M. DCC. VI. The Diflenters of the Three Denor
minations, with Mr. Spademan at their Head, prefented
the following Addrefs to the Queen zt H^indfor^June i^ ^
after the fignal Victory at B^melUes,

May it flenfe Tour Majefty^
*/Tr^HE late furprizing Progrefs of Your MajefVy's

-*i ' Forces, and thofe of Your Allies in Flnnders^
* under the Command Qf the molt Illufirious Prince,'

694 Some HiflorJcal Additions Chap. XIX.

Ah. \-jo6.* the Duke of Xi^rlhorough, and of thofe in Spain,
' commanded by the Noble Earls of Peterborough and
' Galiv/tyy happily fupported by your /(oyi/ N47>/, under

* ihc condudt of your Prudent and Valiant Admirals,
' engages us humbly to Congratulate your Majefty

* on to Glorious an Occafion.

' The Signal Anfwer iit has pleafed God to return
' to thofe Devout Prayers, which your Majefty and

* your People, by your Pious Diredion, addrefs'd to

* Heaven, infpires us with a Joy equal to the Mor-

* tiftcation it gives yout Enemies: And while your

* Majefty afcribes your many Victories to the Arm

* of the Almighty, and repeats your Royal Com-

* mands to your People to offer him folemn Thankf-

* giving, we cannot but look upon ycur Majefty's

* Piety, as a hopeful Pledge of the like future Suc-

* ceiTes.

As the important Confequences of your Majefty's
Triumphs make a daily Acceflion to your Glory, fo

* they give us an agreeable Profpeifi of the Speedy Re-

* duAionof the Power of France to its juft Limits, the
Reftitution of Liberty and Peace to Europe^ the ef-

* fedtual Relief of the Reformed Churches Abroad,

* and the Security of that Provifion the Law has made
^ for a Proieftant Succeftion 10 the Crown of this

* Kin^donri.

: * We gratefully acknowledge the Share we have in

* the Blellings of your Majefty's aufpicious Reign,

* which preferves to us both o^r Civil and Religious

* Liberties, and take this Occafion to renew to your

* Majefiy, the Aflurance of our inviolable Fidelity, to
which not only cur Intereft and Inclination, but the

' facred Tyes of Gratitude and Confcience oblige us :

* And we ftiall ufc our urmoft Endeavours in our feve-

* ral Stations to promote that Union and Moderation

* among your Prr teftant Subjects, fo often recommend-

* ed by your Majefty, as highly necelfary to the Com-
' mon Safety.

* May the Divine Providence that has made ycur
' Majefty not only Head of the Proteftant Inrereft, but

* Chief in the Confederacy, for the Glorious Caufc of

* Common Liberty, give your Majefty the Satisfaction
of fteingboih more rirmly eftablifti'd than e^erby the
Influence of your CounfrJs and Succcfs of your Arms.

[ May

Ghap. XIX. after the Revoifitwn in 1 688, 6^^

' May your Majefty's Exemplary Piety, Zeal for the -4«. 1705.

* Reformation of Manners, and Parental Care of all

* your People, even ihofe of the remoteft Colonies, be

* eminently rewarded by the great God, with the con-
' ftant Profperity of your Government. May your

* Reign be honoured with an happy Union of your

* two Kingdoms of Great Britain. May your Royal

* Confort the Prince enjoy a confirmed Health. May
' your Majefty continue to rule in the Hearts of your

* People, and be late advanced to a Throne of Glory
' in the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Union between England and Scothnd, was the The Union
great Affair of this Year. It bad been oft attempted, between
but never could be brought to bear till now. The Enghnd
Commiflioners of the two Kingdoms having adjufted '^"^ ^<^^^'
the moft material Points, the Articles agreed on were ^"^^^^
firft paffed by the Parliament of Scotlnnd, and then by
the Englifh Parliament. Some of both Nations were
zealous for it, hoping that fuch an Union would much
add to our common Strength and Safety, and difap-
point feme obvious Defigns of our Enemies. Others
were as much againft it; on one Hand through a Jea-
loufy of Trade,and thro' a Fondnefs of Independency on
the other. And it was obferved, that as many were
againft it in 'North-Britain^ out of fear it would ruin
the Church of Scotland^ fo were others in South-Britnin,
apprehenfive it would ruin the Church of England. In
order to the giving Satisfadion on both Sides, An kdt
paffed in Scotland previous to the Union, confirming
theWorlhip, Difcipline, and Government of the Church
there, and providing for the continuance of it, with-
out any Alteration to the People of North-Britain
in all fucceeding Generations : An A6t alfo paffed here,
for fecuring the Church of England as by Law Efta-
blifh'd, effectually and unalterably ; by which it was
enacted, that the Ad of the 13 £//^. for the Minifters
of the Church to be of a found Religion, and the Adt
of Uniformity paft in the 13 Car. II. and all, and fin-
gular other A£ls of Parliament now in Force for the
Eftabli(hmenc and Prefervation of the C. of £. the
Dcdrine, Worfhipj Difcipline, and Government there-
of, ihould remain, and be in full Force for ever.
And it was enaded, that both thefe Ads ihould
for ever be holden and adjudged to be Fundamental

Y y 4 and

6(^6 Some Hifiorical Additions Chap. XIX^

t.

Am- \ 7p6. and Eflential Pans of the Treaty of Union between
the two K'ogdoms ; and both were accordingly infert-
ed in expr. Is Terms in the A(5t fcr ratifying the U-
nion, and declared to be ElTential and fundamental
Fa,ns I hereof.

The thus Confirming the A<5t of Uniformity,, and
[he Hccleliaitical Conftituiion here in Eu^Und^ to alt
Particulars, upon the prefer t Foot, for perpetuity, was
reckon d by ihc Oilfenters to make tbeir Way the
clearer, fince all H< pes of a farther Keforcnauon of the
Conftitution (of Which tbere is fo much need ) were
Hereby taken away. The old ]?tiruans many of them
fell in widi the Eftablilhd Church, in hope of that
Way contribaring to a farther Reformation : And they
that adhere to their Principles^have fincetheReftoration
been often prcfTed to imitate their Example, and fall in
withrhc fefi^bbtTi'd Church, with that View ; and fome
woithy Perfons actually have done it ; But the Go-
vernment by this Settleoienc of all Things in the
Chuich as I hey were to Perpetuity, and embodying
this Setr'ement with the Union, and making it a Fun-
damental Part of it, has quite filcncd that Plea, and
made it as fenf-lcfs to urge it, as it would be weak to
regard it. So chat h^nce forward, all that are con-
virK'd that a farther Reformation is needful, and that
it is their Duty in their Places to purfuc it, are bound
in Confcience to keep at a Diftance from that Church,
.which has (as much as in it lies) barr'd all Avenues
of farther Li^hr, and dctcrmin'd by a Law that it wilj
be, as it is, for ever. This the Diflenrers could not
hut be concerned at, ani fo;ryfor, and yet as for the
Vnion they reioLc'd la ir, in hope it; might ftrengthen
the Security of the Proteltant Succefiion, and anfwer o-
ther good and valuable Ends.
7l}e Conyo- ^^^ Convoration met at the fame Time with the
caticn. Parliament as vifually. Tho* they had in their former
Seifionj diifer'd much about :he Form of an Addrefsto
hcrMajeily, yet now they agreed pretty unanimoufly;
and lK>th Houfes prefent aa Addrefs on Dec. 6. by Way
of C^ ngrarnlat'On upon the wonderful Succels of her
Majeflies Arms, &c. and they ackuowlcdg'd the
Church to be fafe under her Majefty's Adminiftration,
^c. Afterv/ards they were prorogu'd, and the Lower
tfouf^ yvas uneafy, bccaufe there was act Profpeci oi
'■ Bnf.nefs-

Chap. XIX, after the Revolution in 1688. 697

Bufinefs. On Peb. 12. i7of. the Queen fcnc a Koysd An, 1705,
Writ to the Arcbbifliop, requiring him to prorogue
them to March 5. and he accordingly did it. The
Lower Houfe tho'c this a new Breach of their Parlia-
mentary Rights, and prepared a. Paper agaiofttheDay
to which they were prorogued, to acquaint the Upper
Houfe, that upon Examination they had found, that
fuch ilTuing of a Royal Writ to order the Convocation
to be prorogued, in Time of Parliament, an unprece-
dented k&f and inconfiftent with the Priviledges of
Convocation. And this Paper they carried up on
Mtrch i^ Butfeveral Members difTented from it, as
an unjuft Impeachment of herMajefly's Supremacy.

The Bifliop of Lincoln on Mny 20th this Year, be- Booh and
gan his Primary Vifitation at Lincoln, and his Charge ^amfhUts.
to the Clergy of his Diocefe was publilh'd. He there
complains of fome, that frofeffed them/elves to hs not
only the true^ but almoft the only true Sons of the C, of E.
who deferted the Publicl(^ Communion, and went into fepa-
rate Ajfemblies, and fet tip Bi/hops agasttft Bifhops,
Presbyters againft Presbyters^ and Altar againjl Altar ;
And fays. That there are deplorable H^ats and Ammofi-
ties among many that [lill continued to live under the fame
Government, to go to the fame Churches^ and join in the
fame Sacrament with one another. That they had been di'
vided by new Names^ into new Parties^ and new Interefts
and had fpokfn^ written, and aHed with great Biiternefs
and I{ancour againfi one another^ &c.

Now aJfo came out Mr, Ollyffe*/ Third Defence of
Minifierial Conformity : which contains a Repetition of
many Things faid before, but little that vvas new. He
fkys, that in the 13 Elis^, cap, 12. Ordination by Pres*
byters was own'd, upon Perfons fubfcribing to all the
3P Articles*. But certainly, That muft be his Miftake. •»« p. 5.
in my Statute Book, the Words are thefe, and fubfcribe
to all the .Articles of Religion which only Concern the
Confejjion of the true Chriftian Faith^ and the DoHrine
of the Sacraments. He's however for the Power of
the Church to decree Rites and Ceremonies ; aflenr-
ing and contenting to the Ufe of Things, not extream-
ly approved of; and reckons Submiflion a Duty in
compliance with Authority, even where the Bounds
which God has fixed for that Authority may be exceed-
ed :

698 Some Hifiorical Additions Chap. XIX.

jln. 1706. cd: I envy him not his Sacisfa(ftion. When he di-
ftinguifties between an explicitc owning the Power of
the Church to impofe, and fubmitting to what the
■ State requires in order to Liberty, he'Jl fee how I am
free of a Difficulty he reckons me expofed to. And
when he ftaces his Cafe ^ight, and does not omit the
raoft eCfential Circumftances, 1 can foon tell him what
is to be faid between Father and Son : But as he has
ftared it, he and I are far from differing. For me, he's
free to give what Degree of Approbation to the Cere-
monies he plcafes, provided I have but my Liberty.
He may call Mr. Agas's Rhetorick mine, tho' I pro-
duce his very Words, about every Point and Syllable^ &c.
if he thinks good ; He may argue as freely as he pleafes
about plain ftubborn Matter of Fadl, produced out of
the Lord^j Journal', that will neither bow nor bend. I
don't fee but we are, and are like to be, where we
were. I doubt not, but (as he freely owns,) he and his
Brethren deiire and long for a Reformation as well as
wc : Let us then Pray heartily for it, and ftudy what
in us hes to promote it, in our feveral Ways, and ac-
cording to our Light, and endeavour to ftrengthen in-
ftead of weakening each others Hands, and manifeft by
our Carriage, that wc heartily wi(h each other good
Succefs ; and this is mere likely to yield Comfort upon
Reflection, than drawing the Saw of Contention, and
printing of Indexes, and heavy Perfbnal Charge*?,
. where God that knows the Secrets of all Hearts will
at laft be the Judge. I only wifh that now he is in the
Conftitution, he may not either from thofe that have
the Management of it, or from his own Tho'rs. upon
putting Things together, come under any fuch Uneafi-
nefs, as might abate his Ufefulnefs.

This Year alfo came out The Compleat Hiftory cf
England, in Three Volumes. The Third Volume of
which, contains leveral Reflections upon the Diffenters
all along, that are unkind ; and fome that are not re-
concilable to Truch ; juflit'ying moft of the Severities
chat had been ufed towards them : And for that Rea-
fon I have taken Notice of its Suggeflions, from
one Period to another, in the feregoing Hiftorical
Remarks.

Now

Chap. XIX. after the Revolution in 1688. 699

Now alfo came out Mr. Loc/^'s Fourth Letter for Tole- -^^^ 1 706.
rntion *. He obferves. That his Antagonift reviv'd the y/^^ Fourth
Controverfy, after twelve Years Silence. That Writer, 2,^^^^^ a^
he obferves, owns that a Magidrate who upon juji and Tolera-
faffcient Grounds believes h\s I{eligion true, is ohlig'd to tion.
tfje Moderate Penalties to bring Men to his Religion ; But . . . .
that any Magiftrate, who upon weak and deceitful p Jy^''* **
Grounds believes a falfe Religion to be true, is oblig'd u^^^if "*"**
to ufe the fame Means, he denies. But 'tis queried, who p ^^V j
muft be judge whether the Grounds upon which fuch a
Magiftrate believes his Religion to be true^ are jufi and
fufficient ? If every Magiftrate muft judge for himfelf,
whether the Grounds upon which he believes his Reli-
gion to be true, are juft and fufficient, the Limitation
to his believing it upon juft and fufficient Grounds,
might have been fpared : For no Magiftrate will be
thereby excluded from an Obligation to ufe Force to bring
Men to his own Religion ; For any one who believes
any Religion to be true, cannot but believe the Grounds
upon which he believes it to be true, are juft and fufficient ;
and if be judged other wife,he could not believe it to be
true. If another muft judge for the Magiftrate, then every
Magiftrate who upon Grounds that that other Perfon
judges to be juft and fufficient, believes his Religion to
be true, is obliged to ufe Force to bring Men to his
Religion. But fuch a Perfon needs Infallibility. *Tis
fa id. The Magi/irate being obliged to ufe Force, only fo
as to bring Men to the true B^Ugion^ muft be able certain-
ly to know which is the true Religion, And that there is n
fuH Affurance which Men may and ought to have of the true
Religion, which they can never have of a falfe one^ 8cc,
Well then, *tis queried. Whether the Magiftrate muft
be determined by his full AfTurance to promote by*
Force, that Religion of which he is fully affur'd ? 'Tis
faid, thK Ajfurance muft be grounded upon fuch clear and
folid Proofs as leaves no reafonable Doubt in an attentive
and unbiajfed Mind. Well, the Magiftrate can fee no
reafonable Doubt but this is his Cafe : is he not then
to ufe Force ? It feems not, if his be not the true /(?-
ligion : For 'tis faid, that this Ajfurance can never be had
but of the true Religion, Whereupon fays Mr. Lock, to
his Antagonift, this is to fay, that the Magiftrate k to
ufe Force in favour of that Religion which you judge to be
trtfCj and not which he himfelf judges to be true. But

whQ

700 Same tiiftorhal Additious Cbap. XIX,

Jin 1706. vf ho (fays he) made you a Judge for him? Without this,
fays he, All talk, of full /iffuratme pot filing out to theM^gi*
(irate the true ^cllgiot]^ that he k obligd by Force topromote,
4mounts to no more tut his own f{eligion^ and can point out
no other to him. For cho* *tis not to be imaginU there are
as clear and folid Grounds for the belief of fajfe Religions,
as there are for the belief of true, fto put a Queftion, a-
boac which, is in efledb co query, whether Falfhood has
as much Truth in it, as Truth itfelf ?) Yet as Matters ftand,
the Religion, which the Magiftrates of the World are o-
blig'd to promote by Force, mnft be either their own, or
noi>eatall. And in reality, the MagiftratesPerfwafionof
his own Religion, which hejudges fo well grounded as to
venture his Future State upon it, cannot but be fufhcienc
ro fet him upon doing, what he takes to be his Duty in.
bringing others to the fame Religion. And what Ad-
vantage can that bring to tru€ Religion, which Arms^
500 Magiftrares againft it, (who muft unavoidably in
the State of Things in the World, aft againft it) for,
one that ufcs Force for it ? Magiftrates have nothing to
determine them in ufing Force in favour of Religion,
but their own Perfwafion of the Truth of any Reli-
gion : And this In the variety of Religions which the
Magiftrates of the World have embrac'd, cannot dirc(5l:
them to the true. So that tbe Plea for the Magiftrates
ufing Force for promoting the true Religion, upon this
Foot, gives as much Power and Authority to the King
. of Frnvcc ro ufe it againft his Dilfeniing Subjedts, as to
any other Prince in Chrijlondom to ufe it againft theirs.
For 'tis the PeiTwafion of the Mind, produced by fuch
Rcafons and Grounds as do aflfedl: it, that alone does,
or is capable to determine the Magiftrate in the ule of
Force, for performing of his Duty : From whence iD
necelTarily follows, that if Two Magiftrates have equal-
ly ftroiig Perfwafions concerning the Truth of. their Re-
ligions refpedtively, they muft both be fet on Work
thereby, or neither. For tho' one be of a falfe, and
the other of the true Religion, yet the Principle of
Operation, that alone which they have to determine
them, being equal in Ix^th, they muft both be deter-
minM by it ; unlefs it canbc laid that one of them rauft.
Ad: according to that Principle, which alone can deter-
mine, and the other muft Adi: againft it. From which
^io;apacity in Magiftrates to perfcrui.tliei;: Duty, if it
* i :. ' • • '•' l^e

a*

Chap. XIX. after the Revolution in \ 628. 701

be their Duty by Force to promote the trne Religion, -4». ijo6,
it m^y jultly be concluded, that ro ufe Force for the
promoting any Religion, cannot be their Duty.

Now alfo came out, The Rights of the Chriftt^tn xhe R'lThti
Cknrch aflfertcd, againft the f(omi(h and all other Priefls^ of the^
who claim an Independent Power over it; With a Pre- cImiHan
face concerning the Government of the C. of E, as by church.
Law Eftablilh'd. There has noc been a Book publilh'd
in many Years that made more Noife. Some were
much taken with the Manner of this Book, and by that
tempted to think the better of the Matter o( it ; while
others were fo difgufted with the Manner of it, that that
prejudic'd them againft the Matter and Argument. I
prerend not here to Ad the Pirt of a Cenfor, 01 an Ad-
vocate ; and could not be either, without feveral Di-
ftindlions. Far be it from me to pretend to juftifie the
Matter in all Points, and much icfs the Manner of treat-
ing fome Divine Inftitutions'y and yec 1*11 give a brief
Abftradt of the main Argument of the Book, as I have
done of fome others relating to the Convocational
Conteft, which I believe prov'd no fmall Temptation
to fome of the warmcft Invedtives of this Book, which
have kindled fuch Indignation in fome, againft the Au-
thor or Authors.

The Preface undertakes to ftiew, That they who
make the greateft Noife about the Danger of the
Church, are the greateft Enemies to it, by afferting fuch
Notions as undermine both Church and State, and arc
in diredl Oppofition to the Principles of the Reforma-
tion : And that they mean fome other Church, befides
the C. of E, which being Eftablilh'd by Ads of Parlia-
ment is a meet Creature of the Civil Power, as to its
Polity and DifcipHne, which makes all the Contention.
The Convocation of iheC. of E, he fays, has no Pow-
er which is not deriv'd from, and dependent upon the
1?arliament; none but what they can abridge, curtail,
and annul as they think, fit. And he afferts, that 'twas
not till ^ome got the afcendant here, that the Clergy
attempted to bind the Laity, by Laws they never con-
fented to : But their Defign was never brought to Per-
fe<5lion. He fays it does not depend upon the Clergy^
but upon the Sovereign National Powers whether there
Ihall be a National Church ; And confequently the
Legal Eftabliftiment of the Faith, the Worfhip, the

Dodtrtnal

702 So we Hijlorical Additions Chap. XIX

jin. 1706. Dodlrinal Articles, Difcipline, Rices and Ceremonies
of the National Church, muft be wholly owing to
tbem: And as far as the Magiftrate eftablifhes any
Thing, they are Part of the Civil Conftitution. And
as our Kings and Parliament have the fole Lcgiflative
Power, fo they have trufted the Supream Executive
Power, in EccltfiafticaJs as well as Civils, with the
King or Queen ; in Proof of which he ci'^es fevcral
A6ls in the Reigns of H. 8. Edvo. 6, and Q. Eli:{. And
in Proof thai even in Popifli Times onr Governours
did not think that Bilhops had a Divine Right to Eccle-
fiaftical ]urifdi£lion ; he argues, from their exempting
Places from their Power, and from the exercife of the
higheft A6ls of Epifcopal furifdidion, by fome Deans
and Archdeacons. He fays, the Law all along has fee
the fame bounds to the Ecclefiaftical as to the Civil
Courts, both as to Perfons and Things. He obferves,
that our Parliaments have from Time to Time, de-
prived Bilhops as well as our other Ecclefiafticks ; which
is a fufficient Proof they tho't they had not their Bi-
fhopricks by a Divine Commiflion, becaufe they could
no more take away or even fufpend fuch a Commiflion
than give it: Nay, that the Legiflative Powers can
diffolve a Bilhoprick, as they did that of Durham in the
Reign of Edw. 6, and make Two Bilhopricks into one,
C^c. And all the Power which the Clergy have in the
National Church being deriv'd folcly from the Parlia-
ment, he infers none can be for the Church as it is fet-
' led by Law, who don't abhor all Independent Powei
in the Clergy.

He farther obferves, that the Clergy having all
^worn to the ^g'il Supremacy ^ we ought not to prefumc
that they fuppofe that Supremacy inconfiftent with any
Powers which they claim by Divine Right ; and the
Bifiiops and leading Divines at the Reformation have
freely given their Opinions againft an Independent Pow-
er. All the Bilhops, upon the Clergies owning Hen. 8.
to be the fupream Head of the Church, took out Com-
mifTions for the exercifing of their Spiritual Jurifdidli-
on. And the Kings Spiritual Supremacy as fetled by
Acfis of Parliament, has been by our Divines made
the Chara(ficriftick of the C. of £, againft Popery and
Fanaticifm : And was not only the Means by which the
Reformation was carried on, but the Ground on which

the

Chap. XIX. after the Revolution nt i6Q8. 705

the whole was juftified. And tho* oui' Princes do not -dn. iyc6.
Preach or Adminifter the Sacraments, but the Laws
leave this to the Clergy, yet this does not prove they
are more independent than Lawyers, Phyficians, and
Men of other Profeffions and Employs. He obferves,
that while what the People had fuflFer'd by the Indepen-
dent Power of the Popiili Clergy was frefh in their
Minds, they did all that was poflible to guard againft
any fucTi Power for the Future ; and the Clergy mind-
ing Religion more than their private Intereft, difown'd
all Pretences to that Power ; But when they imagined
the Court had a defign upon the Liberty of the People,
they tho't their coming into that Prpje& with all their
Force, might deferve to have their fetting up for an In-
dependent Power conniv'd at, if not encouraged ; which
came to that height in King Charles Vs Time, that the
Bilhops openly deny'd their receiving their Jurifdi^tion
from the Crown, and that even when they late in xhc
Kings High Commiflion Court. Thac Archbilliop
Laud was for fetcing up an Independent Power, in de-
fiance of the Laws of the Land, the Oath of Supre-
macy, the Principles of Reformation, and of the
Church he pretended fo much Zeal for , and that he
was for an EngUfh^ tho' not a B^man Popery. Than
upon the Reftoration of King Charles If, it foon
became an Eftablilh'd Principle with High Church,
that there were Two Independent Governments in the
fame Nation, and that the Government of the Church
was by Divine Right in the Bilhops: And that the
Lower Houfe of Convocation was lately for having the
Bi/hops acknowledg'd, to be not only of Divine, but
Dimno Apcftolicd ^ight ; which muft mean either a D'-vine
Divine Right, or a Divine Humane t{ight. That Bilhop S^a -
row ^ aflerted, ^ That in Controverlies abput Dodrine?, ^ Preface to
' where the Church has received no clear Determination ^'^^^^'^" °f
' from Chrift and hisApoftles, Ihe has Power to declare her ^^^^^^^*
' own Senfe in the Controverlie, and to determine ^'

* which Part (hall be receiv'd and profefs'd for Trurh

* by Her Members, and that under Ecclefiaftical Cen-
/'fure^and Penalties. The Sentence (hall bind to Sub-

miffion, tho' the Superiours may err in the Sentence :

* Better that Inferiours be bound to (land to fuch fallible

* Judgment, than that every Man be fuffei'd to inter-
pret Laws, and determine Coniroverfies.* And ihere

was none that oppos'd him. He

■. ~ r-— — .

704 Sdwe Hiflorkal Adaitions Ch a p. XIX.

An. i7c6. He farther obferves, That the Ptrliament having ex"
ercis'd their Power in Spirituals, by depriving the Non'
juring BiOiops, and the Sees being by the Kings Autho'
rity fiird again, it has caus'd a Schifm in High Church'
And they who adhere to the Bifhops depriv'd by Par-
liament, condemn thofe who do nor, as idling contrary
to their common Principle, of Church and State being
under a diftindt Government Which Principle the
others on the contrary are To far from difowning, that
they endeavour to reconcile it with their defercmg the
Bifhops depriv'd by the Lay Powers ; and thereby be-
tray their Caufe inftead of defending it, and eipofe
ihemfclves to the fcom and contempt of their Adverfa-
lies. That tho' nothing is now fo common as to call
the oppofing the Docflrine of Two Independent Powers
the Eraftian Herefie, yet 'tis plain from the Letters an-
nex*d to Emjiw^s Treatife of Excommunication, that
the ablcft of the Reformers Abroad were in his Senti-
ments; and Archbifliop ^^itgift Licens'd it, and as
Mr. Seldens fays, writ with his own Hand in one of the
Books finely Gilt, thcfe Words, intm quam extra for»
mofior. After this, he quotes fome Paflagcs of Mr. Ltf-
ley, Mr. DoHwef, Mr. Hz7/, &c. in fupport of the inhe-
rent Power and Authority of the Clergy, and by Way
of Invedlive againft the Regal Supremacy. He fays its
ftrange, that they whofe Principles are nearer to the
Church of [{omi than that of EngUndy fhould be repre-
fented as the only Churchmen. He appears furpriz'd at
the Convocations mentioning thereftoring of the Church
to its due ^ghts nnd Priviledges ; and Teems to wonder
they did not declare what they were: Efpecially when
they conftantly reprefent it, as the moft perfect moft
compleat, and bcft conditurcd Church that is : Whereas,
as (he fays) if the Government of it did belong to the
Clergy by a Divine Right, it muft be as to its Govern-
ment and Difcipline, the worft conftitutcd Church in
the World.

In his JntroduBion^ht obferves, that the Do(ftrine of Two
IndependentPowers has occafion*d a prodigious Number
of Qiiarrcls, bctwecti Prince and Prieft, and among the
Clergy themfelves. He allerts, that naturally Men are in a
State of equality. Even Parents have not an abfolutePower.
Men lo(e their equality by confent, informing themfelves
into Bodies Policiclc. Government was firit founded oti

tfte

Chap. XIX. afler the Revolution in x6'^2, 70 J

the confent of the Parties concern d, and ftill continues -^»» 1705,
on the fame Foot. Men engage in a Political Union
ifor the Defence of themfelves and their Properties,
and oblige themfelves to aflift the Magiftrate in punifli^
ing all fuch injuries as the Good of the whole will not
permit to go unpunilh'd. The Magiftrate is fully au-
thoriz'd to punilh the Evil, and reward the Good : And
not only to punilh one that does an injury to a (ingle
Perfon, but any one that injures the whole Society.-
When Men aflbciated on a Givil, they were oblig'd al-
fo to do the fame on a Religious Account ; one being
neceffary for the fupport of the other. But in Religious
Matters Men are to follow the Didlates of their Con-
fciences ; and cannot have a Sovereign Reprefentative,
to determine for them what they fhall Believe or Pro^ >
fels. 'Tis impoflible that Men (hould ever fubmit to
Government, but with an intent of being proteded in
fo necelfary a Duty as Worftiipping God according to
Confcience, as well as in any other Matter whatever*
The Magiftrate has no Pretence to ufe Force, when no
Perfon is injar'd, tho' Confcience were not concern'd •
much lefs ought he to do it when Confcience u con-
cern d : And confequently his Power is confin'd to fuch
Religious Matters as are likewife Civil ; that is where
the Publick has an Intereft. The good of the Society
is the Supreara Law. All Church conliderations muft
give Place to it : And no Man on any Church Pretence
whatever, can be exempt from the Magiftrates Jurif-
diction. He has the fame Power over Men when met
together for the Worlhip of God, as when met toge-
ther upOn other Accounts; Whom he is then fo far
from having a Right to difturb, that he is oblig'd to fe-
cure them from all manner of Harm, as long as they
do nothing prejudicial to the Publick ; but much more
fo, if their Meetings tend to promote the general Good,
as Mens alTembHng to Worfhip God according to their
Confciences does

In CW. I. He (hews that there cannot be Two Inde-
pendent Powersthe in fameSociety. Independent Power
is Supream. There can't be Two fuch at the fame
Time, either about the fnme or dijfrrent Things.
Not about the fnme ; becaufe by one Power a Man
may be oblig'd to do a Thing, and by t'other forbid xo
do it I and fo the fame Action would be a Duty and i

Z z $in ; ~ -

7o6 Some Hijiarhal Additions Chap, XIX.

An. nod- Sin: Nor about different Things; for then he might
be oblig'd to be at the fame Time at different Places,
and to do Things oppofite and contrary. Who can fup-
pofe that the God of Order would ever involve us in
fuch inextricable Difficulties, as to fubje£l m to Two
Powers which are either apt to clafti and interfere con-
tinually about the fame Things, or elfe to command,
if not contrary, yet different 1 hings at the fame Time?
Ecclejiaftical Power will be continually interfering with
Civil. If the Civil Magiftrate cannot deprive an Eccle-
fiaftick, he cannot put him to Death ; becaufe in de-
privation of Life is included deprivation of all Offices
and Employs. If the Power of Excommunication be-
longs independently to the Clergy, the Magiftrate
could no more (by Banifiiment or Imprifonment, (!^o.)
deprive a Man of the Communion of the Church, than
a Prieft could do that, by which a Mans Death would
follow unavoidably. The Druids, who got the folc
Power of Excommunication to themfelves, by Vertue
of it govern'd all Things ; and Kings were only their
Minifters, to execute their Sentences. 'Tis unjuft for
Two Independent Powers to judge about the fame
Things; for this would fubjed the fame Perfonsto un-
dergo Two Trials, and be punifh'd Twice for the fame
Crime. If there be Two different Independent Go-
vernours, the Civil Goveruour could have no more
Power on a Civil Account over the common Subje(ft,
•than t'other on an Ecclefiaftical : Nor couid they hinder
one another of the Obedience due to each ; and confe-
quenily the Magiftrate could not deprive one of his
Life and Liberty, or ufe any other reflraining Method,
becaufe this muft either for ever, or for a Time, rob
the Ecclefiaftical Governour of a Subject, to whom he
has at all Times an Independent Right. They muft
needs deftroy each others Power, and free Men from
all Subjection to either.

In Chap. 11. He afferts, That the Clergy's affuming to
ihemfelves a JwifdiHion, and terming it Internal^ in
contradif^indtion to the Magiftrates which they call E;c-
ternal, is only amufing People with Words, and a blind
to make Men believe a Difference where there's none,
in order to ufurp a Power which belongs not to them.
When Men endeavour to affumc a Power over Con-
fcience, the moft they can do is to n^akc Hypocrites.

The

^

Chap. XIX. after the Revalttthn in \6^^, 707

The Clergy who contend not only for the neceflity hxii An. lyod.
the Jawfulnefs of National Churches, give up all their
Pretences to ah Independent Power in eVery Thing re-
lating to 'eiri, even in the rabft fpeculative and myfte-
rious Poinrs. For if thev allow that the Magiftrate
can enacft, that no Perfon (hall enjoy any Prefernnent iti
the National Church, who does not profefs fuch or
iuch ATiicles, they cannot deny him a Power to deprive
any who (hall difown them ; becaufe 'tis only putting
thofe Laws, they acknowledge he has Power to make^
in Execution.

In Chap. IV. He Ihews there's no immutable Form of
Church Difcipline. The only Way (he fays) to prove
this or that Form of Ecclefiaftical Difcipline, in this ot*
that Place to be Divine, iis to fhew that it is there the
fitteft for the End it was defign'd to promote. The
fame Garment may as well ferve Children and Men, as
the fame Regimen can fit People for all Times and Cir-
cumftances. Means to an End ire of a mutable Na-
ture. Were but this granted, we fhould have no more
Quarrels about Modes, and Fotms, and Ceremonies 2
There would be no Uncharitablenefs, Hatred or Perfe-
Ctieioti ; but the Chriftian Religion would as it was de-
fign'd, render all its votaries wonderfully Happy.
Chriftianity is a Religicti not only to laft to the end of
the World, but in Time to extend to all the Nations of
it. And confiderihg how widely different Nations are
in all Circumftances and P^efpedis, there can be no par-
ticular Form of Charch Polity which miift not fonie-
where or other be prejtidicial to the End it Was inftitu-
ted for.

Chnf, V. Shews, That the Clergies endeavouring at
an Independent Power, not only prevents the further
fpreading of the Gofpel, but is the Caufe of its having
already loft fo much Ground. This Dodrine of Im-
ferium in Irr^perio; he ffiys, would have been us*d by
the Emperors as an Argument to juftifie their ufage of
the Chriftians. Heathen Authors would have eternally
infulted the Chriftians upon this Head : Nor would
they have been fo wanting to themfelves, as td negledt
Offering at fomeching in their frequent Apologies for
their Juftification. They could not upon this fuppofi-
tion have affertcdthe difintereftednefs of thofe who firft
preach'd the Gofpel, as a grand Argument for the Truth

Z t % of

7o8 Some Hiflorical Additions Chap. XIX,

An, 1 705. of ic. This Dodlrine prejudices Infidels againft Chri-
ftianity. 'Twas this Independent Power was the chief
occafion that Chriftianity loft fo manv fair Provinces ic
once poflefs'd, which became an eafie Prey to the bar-
barous Nations, and made the conquer'd fubmit to the
Religion of the Conquerors. Had it not been for the
Ambition of the Bilhops in continually fighting againft
one another for Dotninion, with their Anathema's and
^ Excommunications, fo fenflefs a Religion as that of the

Alcoran, could never have taken fuch deep Root, or
fpread itfelf fo far and wide in fo fhort a Time. And
as this Independent Power occafion'd Mahometifm in the
Eaft, fo it produc'd Popery in the PVeft.

Chap. VI. Shews that this is moft deftrudtivc to the
Intereft of Religion, and the Caufe of the Corruptions
under which Chriftianity Labours. Chap. VII. Shews
that an Independent Power in any fet of Clergymen,
makes all Reformation unlawful, except where thofc
who are fuppos*d to have this Power do confent. And
Chap. VIII. That this Independent Power has been the
occafion of infinite Mifchief to the Gbriftian World,
and is utterly inconfiftent with the happinefs of Hu-
tnane Society. He fays, that, it is plain from all Hifto-
ries, that according to the meafure of this Independent
Power, the Clergy have reached in- any Place, the People
have been proportionably impoverilh'd and ruin'd. He
mentions the fad EfFedts in Popifli Countries, and alfo
• among Proteftants. He obferves, that the Clergy here
in England after the Reftoration, became Tools of the
Papijis ; of which they were fo fenfihle in the Day of di'
firef^f that the moft eminent among them, with the general
Approbation of the reify made folemn Declarations of eafing
their Protejiant Brethren, when Providence fhould put it in
their Power. Tet when the Convocation in 8p had by the
favour of Heaven an Opportunity of performing thofe Prcmi-
fes ; woi there not a Party among 'em who refolvd to keep
Faith ai little with Schifmatickj, as fome former Councils
with Hereticks ? And therefore with fcorn they rejeHed all
Terms of Accommodation^ and tho't the' very recommending
to *cm fuch Alterations in TJjir.gs indifferent ^ ai would mal{e
Conforming to the Church fo cnfie , ai few Protcflants either
at Home or Abroad fhould fcruplc, an Affront never to be
forgiven ; which was the Foundation of the inveterate Ma-
liee with which that glorioifs Prince^ to whom we owe out

Chap. XIX. after the Revolution m 1 68S. 709

Religion and Church rvas to the la!i ferfecuted : Nor could An. l -joi
the Bi/hopj, even thofe who hadfignali:(d themfehes in De-
fence of the Churchy receive better Qiiarter. He quotes
feveral Authors againft the Independent Power of the
Clergy; as the Lord CUrendony Dr. Barrow, Gomarus,
Gualterui^ and Father Pauli And fays that none is qua-
lified to believe Two Independent Powers, who has not
Faith enough for Tranfubftantiation.

Chnj). IX. Shews that the hypothefis, of none being
capable of governing the Church except Bifliops, and
that none can be Biibops except thofe who derive their
Power by a continued and uninterrupted Succeflion in
the Catholick Church from the Apoftles, deftroys the
very Being of the Church. Here the Author advifes
fome People, no more to attack the DilTenters on fuch
Principles, as unchurch all who departed from F{pme^
&c. And Chap, X. Sheweth, That the Catholick
Church conlifts of feveral Bodies Independent on each
other, ^c: Where the Author aflerts, That when
Men do not think it fufficient for Salvation to be united
to Chrift by true Faith, and to one another by Chrifti-
an Love, leaving every Community to form what Ec-
clefiaftical Government they think fit, but make it jie-
ceflary to the very Being of Chriftianity, to be u-
nited by fome one external Head or Government,
which is to be the Center of Catholick Union and
Communion ; he cannot fee how a Popedom can be a-
voided ; And he Ihews, That the Clergy have main-
tain'd fuch Maxims, in Order to oblige People to yield
an implicite Faith, and blind Obedience to their Di-
lates as muft condemn all Separation from the Church
of i^<5wr, on the Account of her peculiar Doctrines ;
of which he gives Inftances, (3c. And upon the whole,
I fliould be glad to fee a good Anfwer to the Book,
upon the Jure Divine bottom, of any one particular
Form of Church Government,

M. DCC. Vn. This Year Mr. Higginj the Clergy-
man made a great Noife, in defiance of the Govern-
ment, about the Danger of the Church, in many Pul-
pits, from one end of the Town to the other : But he
could not have Influence enough to do the Mifchief he
feem'd tp intend and aim at. There was a general
Addrefling to her Majcfty after the Union : The Dif-

Z z 3 fenters

7 1 o Some Hijiorical Additions Chap. XIX.

Jfl, 1707- fenters of the Three Penominitions, picfenced the folr
lowii;\g Addrefs upon that Occaiion.

May it fleafe your Majefly^

* A Mongft the r^ii of your Dutiful and Loyal Subjc<5^s,
-^ ' webegLeave with all Humility, to congratulate

* yonrMajelty, upon the Acceliion every Year makes to

* the Glories of your Aulpicious Reign ; and more cfpc-

* ciaily upon the happy Union of ypur two Kingdoms of

* England and Sconnt/.I.

* We ad'»re i^hat Divine Providence which hath rc-

* mov'd the Difficulties, that were infuperable to your
' greateft Prcdecelfors, even under the Advantages of

* Peace, and referved to your Majefty the Honour of

* making us one flourilhing People, through your wife

* and fteady Councils, together with the unparallel'd
^ Judgment, Application, and Fidelity, of your Mt-
^ jefty's Co.mmiilioners, and your two Parliaments

* Ry this entire VKton of the two Nations, we with

* J^y behold the Peace and Quiet of your Majefty 's

* Government firmly fettled ; the Proteftant Succeffion
' to the Imperial Crown of Great-Britainy and the
' Jlefoirmed Intcieft in general fee ured ^ the Strength
' and Honour of the whole Ifland much advanced ;
' and our common Safety, both againft Atten^ptsfroni

* Abroad, and Breaches upon our happy Civil Con-

* ftitution at Home, effed^ually provided for.

'' Herein we have a repeated Inftance of your Ma-

* jefty's Parental Care of your People 5 andc^notbut

* h'^pe that fo iliuftrous an Example, will infpire all
^ your Pro'eltant SubjeOs wirh that gcn«^rous Love and
^ Charily, that it may ni:ver wore be in the Inclina-
^ tion of any of rhem, to molett one another, upon.
^ Religior.s Accounts.

^ May the Great God lb profper your Arms, and

* thofe of your AlLes, that your Majefty may be the
' glorious Inftrum.nc of re eftablilhing the Peace, and

* fccuring the I ibcrty of Rumpc -y and att;hc lame Time

* of rci^oring our Proteftant Brethren Abroad, to their

* ancient Pviglifs.

May your Majefty and your Illuftijlpus Confort the
^ Prince be continued in Hti^Uh.

* May your facred Majefty be blcflcd with a long
*^ ^d.profperous Reign, oyer a People more reformed

* in

Chap. XIX. after the Revolution /« 1 688. 711

' in their Manners, and united in Affection, (according -dn. 1707

* to your Majefty's carneft Recommendations, ) and

* ftill reap the Benefits of a Government, which by
' the Divine Bleiring, you have made fo coniiderable

* for Safety and Greatnefs.

' May all thefe our Requefts be as fully anfwer'd,
■* as thofe we have offered to the Almighty for this
' Union.

^ Then will our Thankfgivings be lafting, and your
' Majefty will have the Satisfaction of tranfmicting Li-

* berty and Union to all fucceeding Ages.

But the Union was no fooner over, and far from
being fettled, before thePretender, with a French Force,
went for Scotland^ with a Defign to diiTolve it. There
wanted not fome both in North and South that encou-
raged this Attempt. And tba he went North^ yet we
had thofe among us, that reprefented his coming to be
with this Defign, to refcue the C. of £. from Danger :
But a Church of his faving, muft have afcerw^ds been
at his Mercy.

The Diffcnters were under feveral Hardihips, atid
bad Caufe enough to complain of their Treatment,
notwithftanding their Tolemtion^ and the Countenance
given them by her Majefty, and thofe that were about
her. One B^ger B^fen a Lanca/hire Man, a Perform
aged above 69, was this Year carried to Lnncafter Gaol,
by Vertuc of a Writ de Excommunicato capiendo^ whofe
original Grime was only the teaching a few little Chil-
dren to read EngUfh. He was cited to Chefter, at the
Inftance of one Spal^eman School mafter of Eccla. For
neglecting to appear, he was excommunicated, and his
Profecutor took out the Queen's Writ ; and the poor
Man was in Danger of ftarving. And upon Occafion
of his Cafe and fome others, a Reprefenration was
drawn up, of which I fhall.here annex a Copy, as an
Evidence, that the Diffenters had Reafon for ibme Un-
eafinefs at this Time, even tho* Things were kept from
coming to Extremity.

* Mr Peflch a Proteftant Diffencing Minifter, has

* been twice Convidled and Fined by Simon Biddulpb

* of Burdingbury^ and IViUinm Calmer of Lad-brool^^ Efq;
' Juftices of the Peace for ihe County of I4^armc\y

* for Preaching at Southam, in a Place certified, as the
' A6t;^ of Toleration primo Gulielmi ^ Maritc requires,

Zz 4 I on>

712 Some Hifiorical Additions Chap. XIX.

Alt. 1707

on Pretence that the Qaalification taken by him in
the Coiinty of Northampton, when he lived there was
not fufticienr, tho' ic was in all Points according to
the Adt of Toleration ; nor yet would the above
mentioned Juftices and others at the Quarter-Seflions
at l^'^arrvick, admit him to repeat his Qualification ;
pretending that he had no Settlement at Southam ;
neither would they accept of fufficient Security offer'd
for his not being Chargeable to the Parilh there ;
his Books with other Goods have been feized for
Preaching, as above; and part of them fold, he
liimfelf and his Family have been forced from their
Abode at Southarn, The Convi(fiions againft him,
( removed by Certiorari^ and yet depending before the
Court oi Queen' s-Bench, after more than Twelve Times
Attendance, and great Charges in Law, ) do not fo
much as aver that he was once called by the faid Ju-
ftices to anfwer for himfelf ( the Truth being unde-
niably otherwife ;) Or that he was not fufficiemly
Qualified according to the A<St of Toleration, but
without the leaft Notice taken of this A(St, do pro-
ceed upon that againft Seditious Conventicles, iid

Chtirlef II.

H^illiam Story of Middletcn in Torkjhire^ and fevc-
ral other Proteftant Dilfenting Hearers, both Men
and Women, have been cued to the Bcdefinfiical Court
at Tork^ for abfenting from their Parilh Church, and
divers of them prolecuted on to Excommunication,
after they had qualified themfejves as Hearers ac-
cording to the Adt of Toleration ; a Capias Excom-
municnttmi has been taken out againft rhem, and they
forced to abfcond ; and whereas fomeStay was given
to thofe Proceedings, by (hewing that the ^igrtifi-
cavit^ on which the Capiat had been obtain'd, was
Vitious and Defe6tive ; the Ecclefiaflit^al-Court has
fince made out a new Si^nificavit^ with Amendments,
for procuring another Capias upon the fame Matter.

There have been, and are divers other Profecutions
againft Proteftant Oiflenters, for, or by Reafou of
tlieir Nonconforming to the Church of Eyigland, to
their great Charge and Trouble, and to the raifing
juft Apprehcnfions in all other DifTenting Proteftanrs
both Teachers and Hearers, of whatfoever Denomi-
nation 3 who according to the forementioned Proce-

' dure

Chap. XIX. after the Revolution in 1688. 715

* dure (which appears to be without Precedent in any An. 1707-
' Parallel Cafe or State of Things j are everyone plainly

* liable to be ConvicSted, and Fined, to have their

* Goods feized, and Perfons imprifoned, nor may hope ^

* to deliver themfelves without a very tedious and ex-
• * penfive Courfe of Law, if at all, tho' they obfetve

* the A(ft of Toleration, and are ready at all Times to

* give thofe Legal Affurances mentioned in that A£t,

* which any one Juftice of the Peace is thereby

* impower'd to require at any Time from any Per-

* fon, who goes to any Meeting for Exercife of Re-

* Jigion; and in the mean while all their Meeting

* Places are certified, and the Doors of 'em open to all
^ who Ihall think fit to obferve what they acft or fpeak

* in their Affemblies : befides that, they dare appeal to

* all impartial Obfervers, whither their whole Condudk
' and Carriage do not abundantly teftify, that they are

* Perfons no Ways ill affeded or dangerous to the^ Pub-

* lick • but loyal Subjects and hearty Proteftants,

It would be a vain Thing to argue, with a Man that
won't own thefe to be Hardftiips.

The Convocation could not even yet agree ; but the
Lower Houfe continu d to thwart the Upper. They
were uneafy at being prorogu d by a Royal Writ to
March 5. They by a Paper reprefented this as unpre-
cedented, March 19. The Archbifhop and Bilhops
anfwered April 2. that their AppHcntion^ and the Proofs
that fupported it were in many Particulars far from
being true .- But the B^yal Supremncy being concerned in
the Matter, they would lay it before her Majefty.
They did fo ; while the Convocation was in the mean
Time prorogued by the Archbilhop to April 1 oth : And
this was the Occafion of a Letter from her Maje/ly to
the Archbifhop, dated April 8. in which (he fignified
her Refentment of the Proceedings of the Lower
Houfe : Intimating that fhe looked upon them as guilty
of an Invnfion of her I\oyal Supremacy repofed in her by
the Law and the Confiitution of the C, of ^; and de-
claring, that if any Thing of the like Nature was attempt-
ed for the future^ it would make it neceffary for her to ufe
fuch Means for the punifhingOjfences of this "Nature, as are
warranted by Law, The Lower Houfe continued fitting
after the Prorogation. But on April 10. when the
Archbifhop fcnc for the Lower Houfe to communicate
'' her

714 Some Hifiorical Additions Chap. XIX.

An. 1707. her MajeRy's Letter, and fome Members appear'd
without the Prolocutor, he asked for him, and was
told he was goae into the Country. This appeared to
be a Contempt or Negle£l of fuch a Nature, that it
was not to be fuffered ; whereupon he proceeded to
pafs a Sentence of Contumacy agaiiift him for his Ab-*
fence, refcrving the Puniihment of his Crime to the
30th of the fame Month, to which Day the Convoca-
tion was prorogue, by a Schedule, back'd with a Royal
Writ- The Archbilhop deferred the Puniihment, on
Purpofejthat the Prolocutor might have Opportunity by
his Submifllon, on that Day that was fixed on to have
prevented it. But in this Interval, a Proteftation a-
gainft the ArchbiHiop was prepared, by the diffatisfied
Members of the Lower Houfe, which was offered to
the Houfe on Apr, 30. with an Intimation, that it was
the Opinion of an eminent Counfellor who had been
advifed with,that no Procefs begun before a Prorogation
upon the Royal Writ, could be continued after fuch Pro-
rogation; and aConcern feemed to be difcovered,that the
Royal Supremacy Ihould be this Way broken in upon :
Andfo they who by the Archbilhop, and the Queen hcr-
felf, were charged with invading the Royal Supremacy,
were willing it Ihould be believed, that none had a great-
er Concern for the Supremacy than they, and there-
fore by a Proteftation which was carried up >4;?r»7 30.
by the Prolocutor, the Majority of the Lower Houfe
• declared the Sentence of Contumacy, and the Procefs
continued after the Prorogation, to bean Invafion of the
Royal Supremacy, unlawful, and altogether null : And
yet tho' the Prolocutor carried up this at the Command
of the Houfe, yet he himfelf fubmitted, and begged Par-
don of the Archbilhop, and fo the Sentence was taken off.
This Year Dr Nichols publilh'd bis L<itin Defence of
the Church of England^ with an Hiftorical Introduction :
"Wherein after ftating the Cafe in the Way that he tho't
woold do his Caufe moft Service, and venting his
Complaints as to the unfuccefsfulncfs of all the Me-
thods of Peace that had been hitherto tried, (intermix-
ing with fome moderate Hints fome feverc Rcflediions,
which might very well have been fpared) he andertakes
to lay open all the Controverfies brtween the Noncon-
formifts, . and the Eftabltlh'dChurch, and then appeals to
the Foreign Fiote^ant Churches, Mr f^ejlc) ^houi the

Chap > IX. after the Revolution jn 1688, 715

fame Time publilhed his Reply to Mr.Palmns Vindict- An ijof.
rion of theDiflfeiiters. And Mr. L. the Second Part ofihc
PVo/f ftrtppd in Anfwcr to the Rights of the Church ;
laying open the Defignsof Atheifts, Deifts, Whiggs, ^c,
againft the Church. Mr. Hoadly alfo now publifh'd his
Defence of Bpi/copal Origination. I foon drew up a Reply
to it, both as to the Hiftorical and Argumentative Pare,
in a Letter to the Author, but forbore Printing it, that
I might not give him Difturbance in the purluit of his
Political Conteft in which he was fo happily engag'd,
and fo much to the Satisfaction of the true Lovers of
his Cv)untry ; However, fome having wonder'd I have
made no return to this laft Book of Mr. Hoadly\ I fhaU
here bertow a few Refie6tions upon it, being ready to
follow ir with a particular Reply, if it be tho't needful.

Its fkii^d a Defence of Eptfcopal Ordination ; which
needed no Defence, becaufe it was not aifaulted, by
thofe that pleaded for the warrantablcncfs of Or-
dioation by Presbyters. I have given my Senfe of
the main Pofitipns he here lays down about Ordina-
tion, in p, 199. and aoo. of this Volume, to which,
my Reader is referr'd. He fetches his main Proof from
the Fathers, not with ftanding my Intimation from the
Firft. that that was unavoidable, was fo difpleafing.
However a little Evidence from Scripture would to us
be more convincing, than a great deal from the Fathers.
He reprefents the Fathers as giving their Teftimony to
Epifcopacy, as a plain Matter of Fadk ; whereas they
give their Teftimony as to Fa(3:, with their Judg-
ment ; which Judgment of theirs we are no farther
bound to regard, than as it is fupported with fuiiable
Proof. We have no Proof from Scripture of any o-
ther Epifcopacy defign'd for continuance, than what
was Paftoral. We have no Apoftolick Writings left,
befides the facred Scriptures; The Fathers differ
in their Judgment, Sentiment and Report. It was
Mr, Dodwel in his Diflertations on Irenms who firft
Aarted the Tho't, that we have as good Proof for th&
Divine Authority of Bifhops as we have for that of
Scripture ; This put the Author of Amyracer upon plead-
ing, that we have no better Proof for Scripture than
we have for Bifliops ; and between them, the Authori-
ty of the Writings of the New Teftament has been
weaken d. Their Authomy is not properly weakened,

^ . 7^ ^ . by

7 1 6 Some Hifiorical Addittoas Chap. XIX-

wi*. 1 707- by fuch as receive their Report of the facred MiniftryJ
and whatfoever the Fathers aflert concerning it, that they
can prove from thence, at the fame Time as they re-
ceive iheir Report concerning thofe facred Writings, in
which they in the Main agree ; but by thofe that
would infinuace we have not better Proof of their Di-
vinity, than we have of the Divine Inftitution of any
other than Paftoral Epifcopacy for a Continuance, tho'
ihofe facred Writings are filent in it. While the Fa-
thers much differ in their Account about Epifcopacy,
we find that all their Quotations of Parages out of the
New Teftament in their Writings, do agree with our
Bibles to this Day in all Capital Matters; and all thofe
Things that have been charg* d as Alterations, Additions
or Corruptions, in our New Teftament Writers, toge-
ther with the various Ledtions that have been Colledted,
are either in Matters fufiiciently plain in other Parts of
the fame facred Writings, or in Things of fmall Mo-
ment. No encouragement can be juftly faid to be gi-
ven to Scepticifm, by demanding good Proof, where
an Apoftolical Foundation is pretended. The Fathers
refolv'd their Faith into the divinely infpirited Wri-
tings; But many of them that reprefentcd the Epifco-
pacy they had in their Days as ApcftoHcal, might mean
no more than that it was Ancient ; ffor parallel Inftan-
ces may be produc'd :) And when they gave Catalogues
of Bilbops up to the Apoftles Days, we have no Evi-
.dence that they that are mentioned firft in their Lift.',
were fo much as reckon'd to be fach Bifhops as were in
the Church after the Days of Conftantine. Paftoral
Epifcopacy %vas rifen to too great a height (in
my Apprehcnfion ) in the Days of Ignatius , but
I can't find Diocefan Epifcopacy in his Epiftles,
and yet much lefs.can I do it, in the Celebrated
Hpiftle of Clement. Tho* Ignatius died a Martyr
for Chriftianity, and his Name is therefore to be
honour'd, yet i am nor therefore able to fay as he. That
rohat God is in the H^jrld^ that w the Bifloop in the Churchy
Or that he that docs any Thing xoithout the privity of the
Bifhop, ts to be thot to fcrve the Devil : Nor durft I fay
with Bilhop Pjarfon, That there*s no Obedience here c w-
mandedy but whtt is ntc:j]'ary to avoid Schifrns, and prefer ve
tU Vnity of the Church. The Fathers were often warm
apj eager. He that O-^ferves Jgnatiut's faying, That

vpho"

Chap. XIX. after the Revolution in 1688. 717

whofoever fajieth upon the Lord's Day, or upon any Satur^An. 1707.
day except that one Saturday Cmeaning Eafter-Eve) is a
Murtherer of Chriff, will make great abatements, for
what he fays about Epifcopacy, and what other Fathers
(of a like difpofition) fay in other Cafes. Befides ;
How can the Teftimony for Epifcopacy be faid to be
Univerfal? For what Creed ever declarM, what gene-
ral Council ever derermin'd that Epifcopacy was of
Apoftolical Inftitution ? The pack'd Council of Trenf^
was the firft that attempted it ; and a Jate angry Lower
Houfe of an fw^Z/yZ? Convocation (upon whom Mr. Hoadly
himfelf has upon Occafion been pretty fevere) were for
treading in their Steps. But this wont prove an Uni-
verfality. The moft that the Quotations alledg'd a-
mount to, is, that feme held Epifcopacy of Apoftolical
Inftitution : But ftill as zealous as the Convocation was
for that determination, there yet are many even in the
C. of E. of a different Judgment; and 'tis not unlikely
but it was the fame in the Chriftian Church hereto-
fore ; and Si:Jeronis franknefs is an evidence of it.

A Multitude of Fathers agreed in deriving the Mille-
narian Notion from the Apoftles ; which may keep us
from being frightened with the big Names of Fathers about
Epifcopacy. That Notion was indeed afterwards con-
demned : And that is a Proof, that the Church was fen-
(ible, that the joint confent of many Fathers together,
in deriving a Thijng from the ApoAles, was no folid
Proof that it truly came from them. Of the celebrated
Tables of Succeffion^ as urg'd in Proof of Diocefan Epif-
copacy, I fay the fame, as Mr. Hoadly does of the Ge-
nealogy in GenefUf as urg'd in Proof of the Patriarchal
Power *, If thofe Tables might have been given us, tbo the ^
Perfons mention d had not been Diocefan Bifhopf, then their r ^.l p "
heing thus deliver d is no Argument that the Perfons navrid ^yiarchal
in it were fo. The Argument is as ftrong in this Cafe as scheme
in that. The Change in the Church from a Parity to p. 29.*
an Inequality among their Paftors (which was more
early in fome Churches than others) may I think be ac-
counted for upon a Principle fwhich obtain'd betimes)
that provided Divine Institutions were but kept up,
and adminiftred by Perfons fet apart to Office, the feve-
ral Chnrches might manage thetnfelyes in what Way
and Manner was to them the moft agreeabh% without
any danger of finning, or flying in the Face of the

Apoftles;

7 1 8 Some H'fjlorkal AddUions Chap. X f X,

An I'oj. Apoftles; which Principle there aire many that ftill ad-
here to. And as for Proof chat there was no fuch dif-
parity among the Guides of the Charch, in the Three
firft Cencupies, as in after Ages, that well known Book,
caii'd, 'in Enquiry into the Confti tut ion, t4^orfh'p and Dif"
cipline cf the Primitive Churchy hath faid enough tO fa*
tisfie a rcafonable Man.

I cane find any Proof that Presbyters and Bilhops
have a diftindt Commiflion: and if they Acft by the
fame Commiflion, the Ordinations of Presbyter^; are as
vahd, as thole of fuperiour Bifliops. I can find no
diflference made in Mat. ^%. 1 9, where the Commiiiiort
is given, betwcn one fort of Miniftcrs that might Or-
dain, and another that might not. I here fay, as Mr. Hi
t Exam, o/i" another Cafe; "j" That a Thing of fuch importance which
the Patri' vcould for ever have prevented all Dijputes about fi great a
archal Pointy (hould not once be plainly laid doxpn, where there was
Scheme, mo^ occafion for mentioning it ; nay, that there fhould not
p. 57. he the leaji intimation about it, k incredible., Tho* many
Words are beftow'd, I cannot find any fuitable Proof,
( I J That the confinement of the Power of Ordina-
tion CO Bilhops exclufive of Presbyters is Divine; And
(i.) That this Divine Order is Univerfal, and defign'd
for all Times and Places without exception.

Thefe Tho*ts I have pretty largely purfu'd in my Re-
ply, the publication of which may be now the lefs
needful, fince we have fo juff and full a Difcourfe of
. Mr. B'^yfes upon this Subjedt, which came out this Year,
entituled, A clear Account of the Ancient Epifcopacy,
proving it to have been Parochial, and therefore inCon-
fiftent with the prefent Model of Diocefan Epijcopicy,
As for Mr. Hoadlys Remarks upon my bttrodu&ion^ I
referve them to a Second Edition of chat Introduciion,
with Notes, in which his Suggeftions, and thofe of fome
other Writers will be conlider'd. And as for Perfonal
Ref^edkions, tho* fome of them arc peevilh enough, and
difcovcr fufficiently that its hard even for Reafon and
Grace in Conjundion, to check the influence of a -^if-
ordered Body, they are all forgiven, for the fake of the
Service he did his Country, in fo nobly defending Re-
volution Principles, for which he fo defervedly had the
Thanks of the Rcprefentatives of the Commons of Brit"
t tain, in which no Man more heartily concuriM than I.

In

Chap. XIX. after the KevolHtion in i6%%, 719

In the beginning of this Year, an Addrefs was pre--^«. 1708.
fented to Her Majefty, by the Proteftanc Difienting
Miniftcrs of the Three Denominations, upon Occalion
of the difappointment 6f the Defign upon North Bri-
aifiy in the Words following.

May it plehfe Tour Mfjefly^

ON the firft Advice of the defign*d Invafion of
' this Your Kingdom, we tho'tour Selves oblig'd
after earneft Prayers to God, humbly to Addrefs
Your Majefty, to fignifie our deep Refencment of the
Attempt of the Pretender; whofe ufurped Title can
no more recommend him to the Britifh Nation,
than his Religion, and the Power that Supports
him.

* Nor can we forbear to exprefs the utmoft Abhor-
rence of the Prcfumption of rhe French King, who
takes upon him to impofe Princes of his own forming
upon other Nations, after having opprefs'd and en-
flav'd his own.

* We are fo entirely in the Principles of the late hap*
py Revolution, that we account the Britifh Monar-
chy, and the Bleflings of Your Majefty's Rcign^ too
valuable to omit any Thing that lies in our Power for
the Support and Defence of Your Royal Pcrfon and
Government.

' While the faithful Adherence of our Brethren of
North Britain to Your Maje/^y in this JunAure, gives
us a very particular Satisfadiion, we take leave to
renew to Your Majefty, the Affnrance of our invi-
olable Fidelity : And what we fay on this Occafion,
is not only our own, bur the Unanimous Senfeof the
People under our Care, who all own Your Majefty 's
Rightful and Lawful Title to the Imp^ial Crown of
thefc Realms ; and would be thankful for a greater
Capacity, to ftiew that their Zeal for Your Service
is not inferiour to that of the moft approved and
Loyal of their Fellow Subjects.

* The late Union of ^England and Scotland^ the
wife and early Precautions taken by Your Ma*
jefty and Your Council, to prevent the Defigns of
Your Enemy ; the Prudent and Vigorous Refolution
of Your Parliament, and above all, Your Majefty *s
dependence on the Divine Aid and Protedion,

7 lo Somt Hijiorical Additiont Chap. XIX.

:A». 1708.

feem very happy Prefages of Succefs and Victory ; And
make us Hope, that God hasreferv'd for your Ma-
jefty, the Honour of effedually fecuring the Prote-
ftant Succeflion at Home, of advancing the Intereft
of the Reformed Churches Abroad, and of com-
pleating the Recovery of the Liberties of Europe,
' That the Great God would continue to guard
your facred Perfon, to prefcrve the Life of yout
Royal Confort, to blefs your Majefty's Councils and
Arms, and thofe of your Confederates ; and that
after a very long and glorious Reign, your Majefty
may Exchange your Temporal for an Eternal Crown,
is the Prayer of your moft Obedient and Faithful Sub-
jefts.

This Year a New Parliament was chofcn, and fate,'
but meddled not with any Ecclefiaftical Matters in
their firlt SefTion. The Convocation alfo met, and
were prorogu'd by the Archbifliop, purfuant to th6
Queen's Writ, before the Sermon was preach'd, that
ufed to precede the Choice of a Prolocutor ; with re-
fpedt to which Choice the Lower Clergy were divided,
between Dr. Atterbury and Dr. PViUis. They werfe
prorogu'd from November^ to Febr. 25. following.

At this Time was publifli'd a Letter from a Gentle-
man in Scotland to his Friend in England, againft iht
Sacramental Tefi ; as inconfiftent with the Union, dan-
gerous to the Ecclefiaftical Conftitution of Norths
Britain^ and to fuch Parts of their Civil Conftitution as
are referv'd to them : inconfiftent with the Civil Jnte-
reft of Great Britain in general ; contrary to the De-
(ign of our Saviour's Inftitution of the Lord's Supper,
and to the Dodlrine of the C. of £. And an Apology
for this Letter. a

The 'left AH is here reprefentcd as contrary t6 1
the Rules of Religion, becaufe it requires an End
in receiving the Sacrament, that muft prophane it,
and fuch as bears no Proportion to the Original De-
fign of it ; and nfurps an Authority which no Power
on Earth can Jay any juft claim to, to apply Divine
Inftitutions to fuch Ends as only ferve the Intereft of
Politick Societies ; and obliges fuch as have any Civil
Poft to take the Sacrament, without any regard to the
iitnefs which the Law of Chrift requires, fcr that So

lemnicy

/

Chap. XIX. after the Revolution in 1688. 711

lemnicy. It looks as if it was no Matter, how ill a
Character a Perfon bore, if it can be cover'd with the
Name of Churchman ; which Ihews that it is noc the
Honour of ReJigion, but the fecular Intereft of a Party
that is principally regarded, ^c

About this Time alfo came out, Dr. Cotters Difcourfe
of Church Government : wherein the Rights of the Church,
and the Supremacy of Chriftian Princes, are vindicated
and adjufted.

This Year was here at Home more remarkable for Atu 1709*
nothing, than Dr. Sachevereh Sermon at St. Pauls on
IS/iw. 5, which was entitled, The Perils of Falfe Brethren
both in Church and State, which gave great Offence to
all the Alfertors of the late Revolution. His Impeach-
ment is yet frefti in Memory. In the Time of his
Trial there was an open Rebellion againft the Govern-
ment, tho* the Parliament was fitting ; the Members of
both Houfes were infulted ; and feveral Meeting Houfes
were broke open, in and about the City, and the Pul-
pits and Pews Burnt by a Riotous Multitude ; and other
Places, nay even the Barik^ itfelf, as well as Private
Houfes of Perfons of Note were threatened; the
Queens Guards were openly refifted ; and fuch a Spi-
rit difcover'd itfelf, as not a little terrify 'd all the hearty
Friends of the Government. Perhaps the Time may
come when it may be generally better known by whofe
influence and encouragement this open Rebellion was
raised in defiance of the Queen and Parliament. How-
ever the Trial went on, and the Sermons of the Dr. at
St. Pauls and at Derhy Aifizes were ordered to be burnt ;
and the celebrated Oxford Decree, together wifh them.
This deferves a Remark.

' The Houfe (of Lords j taking into Confideration
the Judgment and Decree^ of the Univerfity of Ox- ^SeeofthU

* ford^ pafs'd in their Convocation y«/y 21. 16S3, given ^^<^*"^<?»

* in Evidence by Dr. Henry Sncheverel ^t his Trial, up- P'S^^ji*^''
on the Impeachment of the Houfe of Commons, and
thereupon lately Reprinted ; it was refolv'd by tha

Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament Aflem-

* bled, that the faid Judgment and Decree contains in
it feveral Pofitions contrary to the Conflitution of

* this Kingdom, and deftru£):iv8 to the Protefiant Si^c^
ceilion as by Law EftablilVd. And it was thereupoa

I Ordred, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Far-

A a a ' liament

722 Some Hijiomcal AddUions Chap, XIX.

jln, 1709* liament Affcrobled, that tbe faid Judgment and Dc-

* cree. lately Printed and Pcblifti'd in a Book eniiiulcd,

* An intirc Confutation of Mr. Hoadl/s Book of the

* Original of Government, takeh from the London Ga-

* :ietfe, publifti'd by Authority at London ^ (hall be burnt

* by the Hands of the common Hangman, in thePre-

* fence of the Sheriffs of London and Middlefex, at the

* fame Time and Place, when and where the Ser-
' nioDS of Dr. Henry Sacbevercl aie ordered to be

* Burnt.

At the fifing of die Parliament, the Queen had thefe
Words in Her Speech .- For My own Part, m it hoi flea'
fed God to give Succefi to my Endeavours for the Vnion of
My t^ngdvnUy vfhkh I muH ever efteem m one cf the
greatefi Bleffings of My i^«'^«, fo I hope his Divine Good*
nefi wiS Hii continue favour ^le^ and mal^e Me the happy
Jnfirument of that yet more durable XJnion of the Hearts
of ai my People^ in the Bondj of mutual AffeBion^ that fo
there may remain no ether Contention among you^ but who
fhaU exceed the other in contributing to advance our frefent
Happinef^ andfecure the ProteHant Succeffion.

The Convocation in Ireland fate this Year, and pie-
fented an AddreCs to the Queen, and another to the
Lord Lieutenant, and then were fuddenly prorogu'd :
But we hear nothing of the Convocation in England^
who were of fuch a Temper that their greate(l Enemy
could not well wi(h them a greater Mifchief than that
they might have fcope to fit and a(^ according to their
Inclination.

At thit Tittle came out, netv High Churchy turnd old PreS'
hyterian ; (hewing that among tfaofe call'd Presbyterians^
that had carried Things to the greate£b Extremity,
none of them had run higher, for the independency of
the Church on tbe State, than High Church bad done
(incc the Revolution : That they fcarcc publilhed a
Book, but it was full of Complaints of our unchri-
ftian Laws relating to the Church : That they are
condoually exalting themfelves, and their Authority
and Dignity : And that they exceed the rankefl Pres-
byterians in their Claims, and their fcandalous Re-
flc(5tions, ^c. and are as much as any ever were, fot
the founding Dominion in Grace, ^c*

Now

Chap. XIX. after the Revolntion in 1688. 723

Now alfo came out Seditious Preachers, Vngodly
"Teachers, exemplify 'd in the Cafe of the Minifters eje-
t^ed by the Adk of Uniformity in i66z. Oppofed
chiefly to my abridgment ; which 1 (hall touch upon in
Vny Preface to my Second Volume.

AddrefTes came in this Year frotp all Parts, full of ^». 1710*
great Profellions of Loyalty to the , Queen, and Indig-
nation againft the late Miniflry, and fonrie of then;i
reflecting on the Parliament, and on all that pretended
to Moderation. In j^pril, the Perfons that were
active in the late Rebellious Tumults, were brought to
their Trial in the Qld^Bailjf, and Damaree and Pwr-
chafe were found Guilty, and condemn'd : But Juftice
was npt executed upon them ; and they have fince
been pardon'd. The Diffenters were not a little foli-
cited to make Application to the Court for Pardon for
them ; and it was fignify'd, that it would difcover a
very forgiving Temper, which was a Chriftian Spirit,
if they would interpofc. But they ( who had been
fooliflily charg'd by fome with pulling down their own
Meeting Houfes,) tho't it more proper for them to fit
ftiJi, concluding the Concern of the Government to
be greater, than their own Perfonal Concern, iho*
their Lofs was confiderable. Overtures were alfo
made them about the repairing the Damage they had
luftained ; but nothing was receiv'd.

There was a great Ferment in the Nation when the
Parliament was diflblv'd, and a new one chofen : But
the Queen in her Speech to her New Parliament oq
Nov, 27. told them, That as floe xvas refolvd to encou--
rage and fupport the C. of E, as by Law Eftablifked^ and
preferve the Britifli Conftitmion^ according to the IJnim^
fo nlfo would (he maintain the Indulgence by Law allowed to
firupulous Confciences, The Coriimons in their Addrefs
had this Paflfage ; As we are Fellow Chrifiians and FeUowr
SubjeHs with thofe Proteftant Diffenters, who are fo un-«
happy as to entertain Scruples againji Conformity with our
Church, we are defirous and determind to let them ijuietly
^njoy that Indulgence which the. Law hath allpp'd th^mi.
And they voted Fifty new Churches to be built in and
about the City.

724 Sofne Hlflorical Additions Chap. XIX.

An, 171C. The Convocation alfo met, and Dr. K.^»«ff preached
before them, and Dr. Atterbury was chofcn Prolocutor.
Her Majefty wrote a Letter to the Archbiihop, dated
Dec. I X. in which flie fignified her Hopes, that the Con-
fultations of the Clergy might be of ufe to reprefs the
Attempts of Perfons of looie and prophane Principles,
and prevent the like for the Future : And promifed Ihc
would give thera all fitting Encouragement to proceed
in the difpatch of fuch Bufinefs as properly belonged
to them, and grant them fuch Powers as (hould be tho*c
requifite for carrying on fo good a Work ; confiding in
them that her Royal Intentions would not be fruftrated,
by unreafonable Difputes about unneceflary Forms and
Methods of Proceeding, ^c. The Convocation met
Dec. 13. The Archbilliop propofed to the Inferior
Clergy an Addrefs to her Majefty by Way of Thanks,
t3c. They were for enlarging fome Parts of it, which
the Bilhops were not free to ; and this had like to have
created a new Difference. The Archbifliop hereupon
prorogued them to January the 17th, at which fome
were difgufted. He then prorogued them to January
the 14th, 171°. at which Time my Lord Dartmouth
Secretary of State, brought them a Licence under the
Broad-Seal to fit and do Bufinefs, in as ample a Man-
ner as was ever granted fince the B^ format ion ; the
Fruits of which are yet expeded.

• This Year alfo Mr. James Pierce^ of whom the
World had had a Taft before, in his Controverfy with
Dr. IVelb^ wrote a Vindication of the EvgHfh Diffen-
ters, in Anfwer to Dr. hJicholj's Defence of the Church
of England : And he wrote it in good clean Latin, as
Mr. Spademan had his StriBurce Genevenfes^ (which I
forgot to make mention of in its proper Place) fome Time
before : And I don t hear that any one has undertaken
a Reply. Mr. Benjamin B^hinfon alfo this Year wrote
his ^view of the Cafe of Liturgies and their Impojition ;
in anfwer to Mr.Bfwwef's Brief Hifiory of pre-compofed
Jet Forms of Prayer, and his Difccurfc of Joint- Frayer.

Tho' the Firft Seflion of this Parliament pafiTed over,
without any Motion for the Occafional BiU, yet they
that watched Opportunities for it, having that AtTair
much at Hearr, were not willing to mifs a Second, and

defer

Chap. XIX. after the Revolution in 1688. 725

defer it to a Third. At length when both Sides had -dn, 171 1.

written themfelves out of Breatli upon the Subjecfl,

this Bill which was fo much long'd for by fome, and

fo much dreaded by others, was on Dec, i 5 . 1 7 1 1 .

brought into the Houfe of Peers. The Title was

plaufible ', *twas to preferve the Proteftant Religion,

and to confirm the Toleration, and farther to fecure

the Proteftant Succeflion, ^c. But the Body of the

Bill was the fame as had been fo oft rejeded before,

and that upon fuch folid Reafons. It muft be own'd,

fome Conceflions are therein granted to the Dilfenters,

but not to be compared with the Contempt to which

it expofes them.

Thus after Fifty Years Exclufion from the Publick
Churches, by the Ac^ of Uniforiuity, during the one
Half of which they were expos'd to great Rigours
and Severities, tho* during the other Half they have
had more Liberty, are the poor Diflenters excluded
the Service of the State. So far are we from any
Hopes of a Coalition, which has been fo often talked
of, that nothing will do but an entire Submiffion.
Confciences truly Scrupulous may indeed ftill have their
Liberty : But they that would be capable of any
Places of Profit or Truil, muft quit the Meetings
after March 25. 1712. and they that in all Times and
Changes adher'd to the true Intereft of their Country,
muft be publickly branded. Perhaps the Time may
come when Perfons may have other Tho'ts of this Mat-
ter than while in the Heat of A£tion.

And by what Ways and Means this Defign, that
had been fo long contriving and fo often difappointed,
was at laft brought to bear ; and under whofe Agency
and Management the Bill paffed fo currently, and
without Oppofition, even with with tbofe who had
all along had an Opinion of its pernicious Tendency.-
And whether it in the Event anfwered the De/igns and
Intentions of thofe who were the great Agents in it, what
were the Confequences of this Step to the Diflenters, and
alfo to theChurch, and to the State ; and to Religion,
and to that Chriftian Charity, that all who have any
value for^^Religion, ought to have a Concern for :

Aaa 5 How

726 Some Hijlorical Additions, &c. Chap. XIX.

Ah. 171 1. How many Pcrfons and Families were Suflfercrsby it;
how much the Papifts rejoiced at it, and what an Ad-
vantage it gave them (who are never backward to im-
prove Opportunities) to compafs their Defigns, I leave
to be confider'd and related by fuch as come after
me.

THE

THE

"Reformed liturgy.

The Ordinary ^ublick-JVorJhip on the

LORDVDAY.

The Congregation being reverently conppofed, let
the Minifter firft crave God's affiftance and accep-
tance of the Woiljiip, tp be performed in thefe Qt
the like Words,

J /

bifible <BSS>J>, mftnite in ipotoer, CHifuom, Hal ^'J' t
ann <0(DtJneftf, nto'eliing in tf|e Jligtjt tofjicfj Mat. ij. 17!

noi39an can app^oaclj, iDfjere t^oufann tljou^ i Tim. 6. 16'.

fanD0 tniiiite untoSTIja?, anD ten tI}OUfantJ timeai i^a^- 7. 10. ifst.
ten tl)Dufanu IfanD before arijec, pet utoellmg toittj J^*^^- J^^-
tl^el)umble anD contrite, ant) taking pleafure in tljp^J^:^ j^a °'
ipeople : %\]m Ijaff confecrateD fog 110 a nejDo ans d.'papy.tf.'izl
libing toap, t!)at iwith boltJnef^ toe map enter into i. &. 99. ^ 8c
tlie ^olitli, hf tf)e. bjfooo of 3|efu0, anD l)all bio U0 ^^-^i 17. &89.
feek 2^1)0?, tofjile tl)ou mapett be fomiD : (Kae come 7; ,J^^- ^^^ l®*-
to %\)ic at tt>p Can, ano ipogftip at ti)p jFojtfiooU Tji^lt, ^ll
3i$el)0lD U0 in t!)p tenDer s^erciej^* ©efpife m not, Levit. Vo 2
tt)ougl) unlno^tlip^ %^m art greatlp to be. fearea Zech. iz. 10.
in t^e 2icrembl)? of tfje S^aintjer, anD to be tjaD in {^Q"^- 8. ^6.
laetjerence.of all tt^at are about S^ljee* D^nt tl}p fear ^^"l* J; ^^- ^
into our l)eart0, tl)at Uiitl) le^erence toe map ferbe ^at J^ jg
2C:t)0e ; fauctifp U0, tijat t^ou maprfi be fanctiCeD of joh.V 2J,Z4.
Uj0f, tol)eji toe Dgato .nifiil 2r{)^. (25i^e m t\:}Z ^pi^ i Thef. z. ij,
rit of <5^^*ace ano §feuppUcation, to Ijtip our infirmi;? Aa 15. 14.
ties, tljat.qur pw^r^ map be faittjful, ferbent, anD Si^[^ '»• '^•
^ffectiiaU 51et tl)e Defire of our ^out^ be to STfje^ ; p.^J; ]'^^\,
ilet u0 D?ato near Wi^ez toitt) our tjeart^^ anD not Eccik's i
onip toitti our lip^, anD too^n)ip t^ae, tofjo art a Joh. 6. 45/
l^pirit, in Spirit anD ^rutlK ^et tljp (WrofD be.Heb.4. zz. i?.
i^poten anD Ijearo bp U0 am tf)e wuo^d of <E>oD : c^ibe;^ ^^r, 10. 43^ ,

■ 4la a 4 ili8f'- ' ^'

The Reformed Liturgy.

Pfai. 59. 30- U0 attentibe, l)earmg €ar0, antJ openeu, beliebing
pfai. io5. 4^. unDcrlJanDing tjearW, tijat toe map no tno^e re:::

m io< ^?* ^"^^ ^^?^ *^^^^^» "°^. ^ift'^sar^ fl)P ttierdful, out;^
pr.f SI 1?* (h-etdjcD^ljanD, no? flisl)t tt)p citounfele! ano Kep^fja ;
Pfdi. 19. 14. but be mo^e reanp to Ijear, tl)an to gibe tlje facrifice
Hcb. 13. II. of fm\!S. jput fl})> 31aUj0 into our l)eart0, anD
torite ti^em in our min50, ann let ujsf be all taugfjt
of (25oit> 3Let tl)p (Kao^ti be unto m quick anD poto^:
erful ; a Difcerner of t^e ti)ougt)tB ano intents of tlje
Iieart0 ; migljtp to puK tiob3n 2rong^l)olD0, casing
Zioton imaginations ano reafonings, ano eberp f)ig5
tfjfng tl)at aDbancrtlj it felf againU tl)e feuotoleoge
of (Bon \ ano bringing into tdii^t\\>it^ eberp tijoug^t
to the obeoienre of Cti^il! ^ let nn magnifie %[)2Z
\x>iti) tliankfgibing, anD triumpl) in t()p Ip^aife. ilet
tt0 rejopce In t^p jSjalbation, anD gto^p m tl}p i)olp
f^ame* SDi^tn tl}Ou our lip0, SD legD, anD let our
moutl)0 fi;eto fo^tl) <tl)p p^aife. 3lnD let ffje too^Djfif
of our moutl)0, anD tlje meDitation of our Ijeart^ be
acceptable in tlip figtjt, ttj^ougl) lefujff <t\)ixU our
33rO^D anD onip »abiour* Amen.

Or thus, when Brevity is neceflary.

ira. (55. 1. Pfai. /^ external, 2tlmigl)tp, anD moU graciou0 <25oD,
II 1.9 Luke z. y^ ij^eaben i& tl)p 2ri)?one anD dfart!) i0 tl)p;f cot^
uM'^''^Jd°i!iDl, I)olP anD reberenD i0 tl)Vi|ianie; €l)0u art

1 J)' I Levio P^*!^'^^ bp tl}e !)eabenlp !^off0, anD in tl)e (s:ongrega>-
5. Gen. i8;i7.' tion Of ti^p ^&intsi on OEartl}, anD toilt be imctitzxs

2 Tim. z. 5-. in an tl}at come nigl) unto %\)ZZ. Igit are finfiil
Dan. 9.18 Hof. anD unU)o?tl)p Dulf, but being inbiteD b^ 2riiee, are
Vs vkh' h ^^^^' tt^^ougl) our blefleD a^eDiato? to p^efent our
zThef. Tjo ' fPlbe^anDour fupplicationfi! before 2ri)ee^ Kcceibeu^
Luke 19.' 48! srmouap,l)elpu0bptl)p^fiirit^ lettbpjfearbeupon
ifa.i.ip.iCor. MS X Jiet t[)y> QJiio^D come unto U0 in potoer, anD be
2--i^- James y. receibfD in tobe, toitl) attentibe, reberent, ano obe^
i<^praj.6 5. ;r. jjit^jit minDB.. ^afee it to ub tl)e faboiir of life unto

Pfa/s/io & ^^^^* ^^"^^ "^ ^° ^^ ferbent iu IP^aper, ano jop^;

;j. 18. ful in ti)p p?aife0, anD to ferbe Ct)^ tl)i0 Dap

toitliout Diflraction, tl)at toe map finD tl)at a Dap
in tl)p (Courts, i0 better tl)an a tljoufauD, anD tljat
it in gooD fo? U0 to D^jito near to C5oD ■, tljgougij
S'.efu^ Cl)ii(l our llo,2D anD ^abiour* Amen.

'NC9(f

The Reformed Liturgy.

Next^ let one of the Creeds he read by the Miniflerl

In the Profeflion of this holy Chriftian Faith wc
are here aflembled.

31 beliebe in (25oD the JFatijer, ffct
31 beliebe in one (PoD, 9Ct

And fometimes Athanafius Creed.'

The Ten Commandmentg^
(Bat) fpalie tljefe (KUogD^ anu taii^ ^Ct

For the right informing and affeding the People,^
and moving them to a penitent believing confeffion,
forae of thefe Sentences may be read.

God created man in his Image^, q^j, ^^ j.

By one man, fin entred into the World, ^w^Roni. j. u.
death by fin and fio death faffed ufon all men^ for that
all have finned.

For all have finned, and come (hort of the glory cfKom. j. 23.
Cod.

God fo loved the worlds that he gave his only ^^got^jQi^^. 3. i5.
ten Sony that vohofoever believeth in him^ [hould not
ferifhy but have everlafting life.

He that believeth on him (hall not be condemned, but ig.
he that believeth noty is condemned already^ becaufe he
hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of
God.

And this is the condemnation ^ that light is come into 19.
the world, and men loved dark/iefs rather than light, be^
caufe their deeds were evil.

For every one that doth evil hateth the light, neither ^^^

Cometh to the light, leji his deeds (hould he reproved,

Chrift hath redeemed us from the curfe of the Law^Qtl 3, 15:
being made a curfe for us,

Except a man be born of water and of the fpirit^ i»f John 3. $•
cannot enter into the kjngdom of God,

That which is born of the Fle/h is Fle/h^ and that 6.

phicb is born of the Spirit is Spirit.

Verit;

The Reformed Liturgy.

Mat. 1 8' 3- Verily J fny unto yoUy except ye he converted^ anJbe»
come as little Children, ye fh all not enter into^ the King-
dom of Henven,

Ezek. \T,. II. Say unto them : As I live faith the Lord God^ I.
havt nd fUeafure in the death of- the vpicl(ed^ hut that
the wicked turn from his way find Hvej Turn ye, turn
ye from your evil "K^ys • for wljy will ye die oh houfe of
Ifrael.

Luke 15. I o. I fay unto yoUy there k joy in the prefence of the
Angels of God^ over a finner that repenteth,
18, 19. ' ^^^ ^^i/^ ^"^ go to my Fatdjer, and jay unto him^

Father^ I have finned ^^^ainji i^eaven and before thee^
and am no more tvorthyto he called thy Son^ '

The Cojifeflion of Sin, and Prayer for Pardon and
Sandification.

Pfii .^^.Rorr. ^^(j^ol! f^o\^, sigWeoujeT, am <B^acioug l<Bo%
e: z^y Ephfif, \^J uiljo l)ate5 all . tl)e toogkerief of inu\mt^, anD
i.^vii. jt.h. 4 Dafi a^j^somteD matt} to be the toage^ei of fin, but pet
Kh T' V^* fo^ the glo^p of tlw mercp hall fmt thp fon to htti)e
Luke 14. 47. ^abiour of the crcio^ID, anD hatt ;i^omifeD fo^gibe:^
hi\. 5. 37. neCs Of fin tl)^ough ^^ ^^(^^1 ^0 aH that beJietJfc in
Pfov. 28. n. him, ant) hv true Hepentance turn itnto €te, anu
Rev.;.v.Pfai.(t^at U^Wobet coufefleth auD fo^fabetl^ h^JB^ fin, fhaO
rira^'48 8^' h^tjemercpi toe confef0 that &e are tile and mife^
ifa. n. ' 6. rabfe finner0, being conceibrn in ^in -■, bp 0^time
Pfaimico.'^. cfthilD^en of to^atl], anD tranfgreCTo^jff from tt^t
I corinrh.6.:o. toomb* OT toe like (heep habe gone aflrar, anD
aCor. 8. s- furneD eberp one te hi^ ^^n toap* ^Ttiou maDeH ug^
iu)r. 1^0. ii. ^^^^ ,iot hie our felbes. Chou boughteff U0 tottli a
iThcf. 4. I. V^^^i anD toe are not our oixiUt aiui therefore tre
1 jjhn 3. 1... lIjoulD habe toliollp giben up dut* felbejef unto SThee,
Rom. X. 15. anahabe glo^ifteD iHliac >ith our foulB anD boDie^,
1 Chion zi. 7. 35 jjeing ;r(jiji^^ ^raiji^t P^jfj. ^e jjij, thoulD habe been

Luke 1^8 V4 ^o»^ ^Q- tl)ji(IBi!0y% anD to pleafe €hee, in tlje obtv^
Rom. 15. I fngofi:hP™u» But toe habe DirpleaftD anD Dir:i
rul. 47 7. honour ED SThee, anD turu^D from STljee, eralting,
Rom. 7. 1 1, feefeing ann pleafing our fcl&0* Chou art tlje ^in%
Dan. 9. 9i 'o- of an tl)C toozlD, anD 2ri)Plato0 are hoh>, juff, anD
Rom 's i' &° fi^'^* ^"^ ^^ ^1^^^ DenieD SThee our Due ^ub)ectioi|
M. 14.&4. zo.anD £DbeDicnce, being unrulp anD felf^toilleD, minD^
Pfai. 78 7.22. ing ttif tilings of the ;f led;, anD m.iking p^^obifion fo^ '
ifa. < I. 7. 8. itfi luft0 : (lar Ijc^be (lagarrrD at (JThv mio^d td^ough
Luke 11. 4,^- (Hnbflief, anD habe nor fullp plaecD oiir trull anb l)opc ?

The Reformed Liturgy.

in W)tu WXt ^abe ratljer fearen s^an tijat isi Duff, P^ai. loo. y.
aiiD can but IriH tfje boDp, ttian STIiec, tf)at canS Der^ ^ Joh. 4. id.
JieiJrop botl) Soul ano boDp in igell* a:t)OU artinfc:^ J^^J.- ^f [;
nitelp gfflD, ann lobe it felf, ^tt i)abe toe not ftiUp prai.*37*4 ijoh.
taken STiiee fo? our portion, no^ lobeo K\w bjitl] aft r. i y. z xim. 5!
our ijeart, anD fom, anii miglit, no^ matJe 2ri)ee rJoh.d.z;.
our fun 5efire anO Mi%\)U %\xt toe Ijabe ino^Dir^jr^^'^e 10. 11,2.2.
natelp lobeci our felbe;6', anD ti)t <ittio^lD, «nD t^t^f;}\^^'
ttjingflf of tl)e iMp^lD, anD libeD bp fenfe toljen fpM. li; iV
toe ^oulD f^abe libeD bp jFaitl). anD careD anD u. Mar., 8. 38.
laboureD fo^ t\)t fooD tljat peridjetl?^ totjrn toe^Tim.i.g.Eph,
(JoufD I)abe laboureD fo? tlje one ti)ing neeDfuI, ^•^^•^o^^-'^-
anD tljat to{)icl) enDuretfj to eberlaffinff life^ ^^ I'Kt , lo*^^"
ijabe hztn flotI)fuf ferbant$, |)ielDing to 2rempta;:Luk.i.7i.Heb.
tione^, albameD of our JDutp, lofing out p^ecioun 12.2*8. Pfaim.
^ime^ to^en toefljoulD fjabe been ferbent in^mxity 9^. Tim. r.19.
ferbing tlje ^o^D, deabing to W^zz toitf) funre^Phii.3. 3. Pfai.
folution, reDeeming tbe time, anD toitlj l»iligence^^*^'^^^v'-'°*
makinje; fure our caning ano (flection* ewie Ijabexir. 3. i
not ix^itl) Due Ijolmrftf anD reberence D^aton nearEph.6.M.t.2p.
€f)ee, anD ufeD t\)^ fplp iRame, tijp ffliio^lljip ahD 39- & i- 12-
t(}pJDap: JKUe fjabe Difl;onoureD anD DifobepeD our^^°^- ^°-^4.
^upenourjB^, anD neglecteD our Inferiouf^. ^^Mat s-'ll Heb°
I)abe htm guiltp of not tobing our iReigl)bour0 u.ii.Gai.6.»o!
a0 our felbe^j anD not Doing to otl}er0, a0 toePfai. 19. iz.i3.
tooulD tljep l^oulDDo to U0, bat Ijabe fougljt ourRom-2.4-Pfai.
oton agamff tl)eir toelfare, not forbearing, anD fo^:^ ^^'Iv i ?' ^*
gibing, not lobing our (Enemies, a0 toe ouglit, ^f j^^. ^^^j^'
mi foHotoing peace, no^ HuDping to DogtoD toaH^^; j^j',^©.
acco^Ding to our ^otoen (Hue l)abe finneD fecret:^ Rom. 5.6,8,10.
IpanD openip, in ttjougljt too^D anD oeeD, igno;iLukei4.i7-Sc
rantlp anD p^efumptuoufl]?, in paffion, anD upon^-^-^'^-^^-^*^-
Deliberation, againll tijp ^d^ecept^, P^miCe^ anof joh^!:*ii*ii
^f);eat0; again!! tljp mercies anD tVj^ |UDj3ment0, Mattii 12.5. '
unoer tl)p patience, mii in tl)p figtjt, agamff ourHcb.2.3.PfaU
cconfcienceja, our purpofe^, anD our cobenant^; 119. <5o. John
toijen toe toere Ijallning to Deatfj anD juDgment,'^-'^!-^^''-^^-
fo? tol}icl}, tf)^ugl) an our libe^ toe ftoutD l)abe J^Xim ^ ^8 ^^°
p^epareD; artjou I)aS commenDeD tf)p toonoerful Luke 15.18!
lobe totoarD^ usi in gibing tt)p ^on to Dpe for Numb. 16. 38.
fmner;8r, to reconcile U0 to STfjee to^iie toe toere Rorn.i. 18.
\enemiei8fi antr an 2ri)ing0 being maoe reaop, tl)ou^P^-^p,^;°^"'
■ l)att rent tf)p cgenengerje^ to in'oite m to come, in, Sr^i^ .f Z^^'
i^imd)m^ toujs: tl)e glaD ^EiDingjef of ralbationj;anDi43.2.pfaLsi,
freelp offering u0 parDon anD life in 3|efu0cs;t)rilf,9,ii.Lev.26.25.
but toe fjabe maDe ligl)t of it^ anD neglecteD tl)i0Rev. i.5,]oh.io
great S>albation, anD mgDe ejt:cMfe0 og too long ^^^'^p^^^'^-^-

The Reformed Liinrgy,

Mat. IS. i8. Delap^-, unnertjatiring our 3ReDeemer, Ua fcltoti
Gal. J- n. ifa-anD mcnt0, t}i0 offered grace ano mWi» glo^f,
|^^/-™v?^ I rejecting tjief fpip JDoctrme and c;:ampte, re^;::
18 E^ck^o+^ ^"g *)i^ Spirit, S9""^^^ anD itffio^D^ coie !)abe
Pfai. n.i7. finn^^-^ ^ ^0^ againfi 3nice, aiiD againft our
E7£k. 56. r6. oton ^ouljBf, ant) are not too^tljp to be caBfeD tfjp
Gal. 4.6. 1. orfjilorm: oae liabe Deferbeu eberlalling toratl^i
Cor.6. 16. jer.jQ 118^ belongctl) confufion, but mercp ano fo^gibe:^
-o pfain9i«'"^^ to CI)ee* igabe mercp upon U0, .^ CBloo,
Ephef. 3. is*- acco^tiing to t()e multituoe of tl)p fl^ercie^^ igeal
M.t n.ii. our fouls tljat l)al)e fmneo againU €hee, anO en^
Eph, 1. 1«. . ter not into luogment toitt) t\]v feruant^* igioe

R^.z. 18. ^j, fg^g j^.Q^ Qjlj. fjjig^^ ^j^^ jjjQf py^ ^jj ^y^ jj^^^

l?/"^,^'^,^;, nuitie^* ttatt ufi^ not atoap from t^p pref ence,
Rom s.f.*&8. anD abengc not upon m t\)z quarrel of t\y^ cobe:^
3f,;<9. jer. 31. naut* iMaC) ujsr in i^t hXtm of t()e 3Lamb of (0oD,
.10. Mat. 6. 3. tol)o tafietf) atoav tl)e fin0 of tl)e Cllo^lD^ 4lccept
Col. ?.i March, y^ iu tt)V 3i5elobeD *on, tol)0 ioa^ maDe a curfe
f'^oVoiofTj ^ "'^ "^' ^"^ ^^^ toounoe^ fo^ our tranfgreflionjef,
Gal. 5 14 t^3^ ^^ "^iS*)^ ^^ ^J^'^teo h^ l)i;e: arfpc^. €um
Rom. 1. J 7. Uisr, ^ C^eti of our falbation, ano caufe tljp
Heb. II. I. face to \!bint upon m* CDfibe U0 3^epentance unto
1 Cor. 4. life . ^mit U0 to loatl) ourfelbe^ fo,2 all t\)Z ebil0
Lukp Vr ^^^^ ^^ *^^^^ committer, dl^ibe iier tliat broken
1 Cor 9 it i^ontrite spirit tobirl} tbou b^ilt not oefpiie* create
1 Pet. 4-2. ' in U0 a clean fieart, SD <23k30, anD reneto a rigfjt
Col. 1.10. fpirit tLiitl)in U0* STafte out of m t\)t olo ano
^ ^^<^' ^« ^^^^ \)uxt, mw gibe u0 a neb) ano tenoer I}eart«.
i5f 1 o 8 ^^^^ ^-^ ^^^^ Spirit of tdp fi^on, anD be our (25oo,
Pfai I 2.' sno let U0 be tl)p ipeopie* ornfigbten our unoer^:
Tic i.'iz. ffanDing0 to knoix) tl}e toonterfu! %\)\n^$ of tl)p
iPcr. 1.14,15 5Q.ato, tl]e oimention^ of t\yp lobe in Cbril!, tlje
1 Per. I. a?, mpfferie^ of tl)p laingoom, anb tt)e riclje^ of tfje gto^:
i msAiV^*^^ of t()p 3inl)eritance in t\)t ^ainfjer, anD tl^attoe
Pfti 15 4 ^^P app^obe tl)e 2ri)ing0 tijat are ejcceHent, anj
Ephef s. ly. map efcape tl)e fnare0 of t()e JDebif, ano map iiate
Phi), f. 10. eberp fatfe bjap* S)l)eD ab^oao tl]p lobe in our i)tm»
Tires 2. 14. 5p tl}pt)oiT> S>pirit, auo caufe u0 fo to lobe 2ri)ee,
Mat. 5- ^^4 tl)at nottjiiig map feparate U0from tl}p lobe* Jdut
Luki-'r«9 t^lPf^ar into ourlieart0, tbat bje map neber Depart
Mark 8. 34. ^om €f)ee> Caufe u0 to fctk firff tl)p BingDom,
Heb. 1 1. 1^. anD it0 Kigl)teoufnef0, anD ra0 tljofe tl^at are rifen
Rom. 8. 17. toitf) cl)ria; to fcrk tl)e tl]ing0 tl)at are abobe, ano
Rev. z. 10,11. to lap up a treafure in igeaben, anD let our l)earf0.
anD conberfation0 be tljere^ mo^tifie our eartl)lp in::-
clination0 anD Defire0* Crucifie t\)Z dfflfo^lD to U0,
ano U0 uno tlje iCio^D bp tije aifrof0 of cl^^il!^

Caufe

The Reformed Liturgy.

Caufe u0 to libe hv faitlj, ann Icok at tl)e Ctjingfli
tfjat are unfeenj anD ufe tljecriorlD, ajsf not ober^
wfiixg it, faeins; t\)e fafljion of it paCTetl) atoap^ Uri:^
bing to enter in at ti^e 0rait gate, anD running fo
aj8f to obtain; let U0 no longer libe tl)e reH of our
time to tlje luH of sipen, \i\xt to tl^e toiH of (I5oD, Cu^;
Uping in an t\]in%si to pleafe iri)ce, anD to be accept;^
CD of 2^)05 ^ let U0 not feek our oton toito, but tfje
toill of Ijim tl)at calleD U0 \ pea, let uei Deligljt to Oo
tl)p txjiH, ^ (000, let our oeligljt be in tljp 3flab),
anD let u0 meDitate ttierein Dap anD niglit \ caufe vus
to Denp UngoDlinef^, ano too^lDlp CuS^, anD to
libe foberlp, ano rigliteouSp, anD goDlp in ti)\si pre^
fent iDo^lD, a0 obeDient cljitDren, not fa(bioning our
felbe^, to t\)Z former Iufi0 of our ignorance -, but a0
ije tt)at Ijatlj calleo u0 i0 i)Olp, let U0 be Ijolp in an
manner of Conberfation.. cQ;aufe U0 to lobe one ano^
tljer b3itl) a pure I^eart, ferbentlp, forbearing anD fo^^
gibing one anotljer, if anp i}abe a quarrel againff
anotljer, eben a^ (itljrill fo^gabe u^* (15ibe u^ tl)e
toifDom b3l)icl) i$ firlJ pure, anD tl]en peaceable^ 3f|n
our Of pellet a bile perfon be conDemneD, but let m
Ijonour tl}em tl)at fear i\)t ^lo^D* Caufe U0to toalli
circumlpectip toitl)out offence, anD to be ^ealou^ of
gooD (Kuo^k^, to lobe our enemie0, anD not to gibe
place to bjratl) -, anD in patience to poflTef^^ our fouljff*
igelp u0 to Denp our felbe^, anD take up our cc^ofjer,
anD foUoixi ^^xiSt -, eCeeming l)i0 rep^acl) to be greats:
er riclje0 tljan tl)e treafure0 of ti}t too^lD, tl;at
ijabing fuffereD toitl) f)im, toe map alfo be glorifieD
ixiiti) l)ittu ^Ijougl) toe muff be tempteD, I}elp njff to
obercome, anD be faitljful unto tl)e Deati], anD t^en
let UJ0 receibe tljat c^oton of ^G^ife, tijzougl) tlje me^
rit0 anD interceCiion of ^ipQ. 31efu0 our ^tlo^D, anD
onlp ^abiour, in toljofe comp^eljenfibe toorD0, toe
fum up our Eeciueil0, Taping a0 Ije Ijatl) taugtjt U0,
Our Father which arc in Heaven, hallowed be thy
Name. Tby Kingdom come, (^c

Or thus when Brevity is neceffary.

O'^oH great, mod juH anD graciou0 (I^oD,tI)OU art Hab. 1. 1 ?.
of purer epe0 rl}an to belplD iniquitp, tliou con^ -"^- ' ^' ^^^^
DeraneH tiie ungoDip, impenitent, ano unbeiieber0 ^ \l- k-vf *J; '^•
but l)aff p^omifeD mercp tlj^ougl) ileCu^ (El^riff to all Eph z.^' Rom
tijal repent anD beliebe in Ijim, Sle confef^ tl)at toe j.ii.ez .ay.

toere

8 The Reformed Liturgy.

Mar. i8. t?. ttifTP fonffibm in fin, anD are bp nahirf ffiifnfrn of
, T^ Col I i'o ^''^^^^ JlnD !)alic an fimuD aim come Ojoit of tfie
1 Cor. lo. 51. tfc"*^ of c5oD. 3|ii our BapHftn thou toofeclj wg in^
Gen 5. II. fo ftif bono Of tbc \)o\v Cobcniint, but tor rcmcmbreD
z Cor. ^. '. nof our creator in ti]t x\av0 of otir goutlj. knfl) r^e
Phi.?. io.Rom. ff ar antT lobc anD obrmtnce totia-fi ire otocDttjce:
'^Eoh 2 -"^ "°^ picafing- anD glo^ifmng tliecin alltljinp no^
Rom "s V ^^ffeing toifl) thcc bp f aitb in an ipcabmlp ronbrr^
Exod. ID. -^ -,fatron no: frrbing ttice frrbentlp tritt] aH our miglif :
8, 11, II. &c. butmiftUcD tlic Df&re0 of tlje fle(!j, anD of the carnal
a Pet. 1. .». minb.MTc babe nc gle cteD anD abufeo t\)v 5>oIpaio^i])ip,
mT^V'" Mir ^PiCoI^MS'^me, anD tbvil?olp JDap. icie babe Diflio^
Tn^ iT~m.6 g!"^^^^ oiir rupfriour0 auD nrglectcD ourinfrrrour^:
Luk. 10.41,4:. cue babe Dealt uniulllp anD inicljaritablv, toitb our
Rom.^ s.Luk. ifteigbbour0 itotlobmg tljem ajsf our fel6e0 nor Do*:
^4- j-'Roni. ;. ing fo otber0a« toe tooulD tbcr OjoulD Do to U0 toe
Hd>T^''*Ads^^^ notfbugbt firH STbP JfiingDom anD Kigiiteouf;^
y.siProv.irJ.^^^ ^^ b^^" contenteD b3itf) our Dailp b^eaD, but
jam. +.7. 1 Pet. f)abe been careful anD troubleD about manp STbingH,
f.9. Pfai.n.4-neglectmg tbeone artiing necefl^arv* j^bou fjai! re?
PfaL 19. 11. > 3. bealeD tbp toonoerful lobe to U0 in Cb^iiJ- iinD offeree
Vo/^10' & f- "^ parDon anD falbation in I)im : »ut toe maDe ligfjt
XI Mar. 9. 4.1. ^^ ^^' anD neglecteDfo great falbation, ano refiI!eD ttjrp
Pfai. 51.S. Eph. 4>pirit- icio:d anD £9iniller0, anD tumeD not at tbp
1. iz, n. Pi'ai. repzoof : toe babe run into tetnptation0 ; anD tbe (in
7x- 5' & 78. 7. tobiib toe fljoiilD babe bateD, toe babe committeD in
fi'coV^ is"^^^Sbf botb fecretlt? anD openlp igno^antlp anD
,'9. I joh. ,'. 7'care(enr ra(T)U' anb prefumptuouflv. againU tbi>
Gal. 4. 6. • ' p:eceprij t[)v p^iomife0 . anD tb:eat0 tfjp Q^ercie0 anb
I Thef. ?. ij, tfjp juDgment0 ; our rranfgreflion0 are multiplieD be^;
R^ra. 5- y. fo^e 2rb0^ anD onr dns tel!ifi> againU ue ^ if STljou
m ; I °i5 ^^^^ ^^^^ ^ ^^ ^^ Deferbe, ilbou toilt caii u0 atoap
Mat. I. zi.* ^om tbp p:erence into ^eH, tobfre tbe too^m neber
I Th.f. 1. 10. Diert], anD tije fire i0 not queue beD. Hdut in tt)^ met:::
Vn.z. J 4. rp, tbr^on, anDtbv p^2otnire0 10 our bope, igabe
mercp upon U0 mol!' merciful fatfjer* 36e reconcileb
to u0, anD let tbe blojD of 31efu0 Cbrid cleanfe U£f
from aH oin: fin0» 3'ake u0 fd^ tbp cbilDgen, anD
gibe U0 tbe spirit of ttjp S)om 4>anctifp us tobot:^
fp, (TjeD ab^oaD tb)> lobe in our t)eart0> anD caufe u0
ro lobe 2rbee toitb'all oiu: t)eart0* ^mafce tljp face to
Q)ine upon ttjp ftrbant0 ; fabe u0 from our fiosr,
1, anD from tbe to^atb to come; make u0 a peciiliac

Coj _i. 10. people to STbee, 5ealou0 of gaiD toork0, tbat tocmaj>
Ephrf V. 16 ^^^''^^^ 2:ba^> anD llieto fo^tb tbp p^aife* igelp U0 tb
'/Prt. 1. 10.' reoarm the time, anD gibe all Diligence to make ouiP
M^t. c. 1 1. Cdllin^ anD Of lection Cure* Oibe us tbing0 neeeffai?

The Reformed Liturgy.

rp fo^ thp Certice, ano feeep us from finOil DiCcontent i Tim. 5. 4.
anD carej8f» 41n0 feeing aU tt)efe tt)in^0 mug be Dif;^ ^;^- ^ ?• 5- •
folbeii, let U0 confiDer U)t)at manner of perfone toe ^f,^- ^•^^' ^'^•
cugf)t fD Ue, in an ^olp conberfarion anD goDImefn. Mar'2.6 ^ 'i
tgelp U0 to toatcl) againtt temptations. anD refiU james 4*. 6 *
ami obercome tt^e jfleC?, tfje JDebil anD tlie ^o^lD i Oai. ?. 17. .#
anD being DelibercD out of tl)e IjanD of all our mt^ ' J^h- 5. 4 ?•'
mie^^ let 110 ferbe STtiee toitfjout fear in I}olmef0t^^'^'- ^-'7.
anD righteouTnefs before 2:t}oe an ttje Pap0 of our f p^t - 10
te* <5uiDe u0 hv i^ ^ounftl, anD after receive U0 Luke 'i7 1 7.
into tf^ j5Jo^p5tt)^U3t) 3efu0 S^^ziHour onlp ^Mwx^ Pfai. 73. z^.
Amen.

[Here ufe the Lord's Prayer as beforej

For the flrengthning of Faith, and raifing the Penitent,
' feme of ihefe Sentences of the Gofpel may be here
read.

Hear what the Lord faith to the Abfolution and
Comfort of Penitent Believers.

CT*HE Lord your God is graciom and merciful^ and z Chron. 30. 9.
•^ wis not turn away his face from you, if ye return
unto him.

If any Man fin, vpe have an Advocate with the Fa- i Johni. 1.
ther, Jefis (^hritt the righteous, and he is the Prcfitiati-
on for our Sins, and not for ours only, but alfo for the fins
cf the whole iVorld,

Be it l^nown unto you Men and Brethren, that through Ads 13 .??, 39.
, thg Man n preached to you the Forgivenefl of Sins,
and by him, aU that believe are jujlified, from aU
Things, from which they could not be jujiified by the Law
of Moles.

Where Sin ahoundtd, Grace did much more abound, Rom. S-'^o. it.
That as Sin reigned unto dsath, even fo might Grace reign
through ^ighteoufnefsj unto Eternal Life through Jefm
Chriii our Lord.

Jf we walk^in the light ai he n in the Light, we have i Joh. i. 7,8, 9,
; feUawfhip one with another. And the Blood of Jefui Chriti
his Son, eleanfeth us from aU Sin, If we fay, that we
have HO Sin ; we deceive ourfelves, and the Truth « not
in us. If we confep our Sin, he rs faithful and juB to
forgive m our Sin^ and to cleanfe ffs from aU Vmighte-
eufnefs, Cofne

lO The Re for Med hiturgj.

Mat. ii.xS, 2^, Cofne unto me all ye that labour , and are heavy ladeni
^^ and ImU give you B^!i, Tal^e my Take upon you, and

iearn of me, for I am meel^ and lovply in heart, and ye

/hall find Hs^ tinto your Souls. For my yoke it eafie, and

my burden is light,
iRcv. 21. 17. Whofoever mll^ let him take of the Water of Life

freely.
Job. 6. 27; AU that the Father hath given me, /hall come to

mey and him that cometh to me, I will in no wife cafi

out,
Heb.8. 12. I will be merciful to their unrighteoufnejl, andtheif

fins and Iniquities I mill remember no more.

Hear alfo what you muft Be, and Do for the
time to come, if you would be Saved.

Rom. 8. 9. A7^ ^ '/ ^^y ^^" ^^^^ "^'^ *^' Spirit of ChriB, he

^^ is none of his,
2 Cor. J. 17. Jf any Man he in ChriBy he is a new Creature ; old

Things are pajjed away^ heboid all Things are become

new ?
Rom. 8. ir There is no Condemnation to them that are in ChriH

Jefus, who wall^ not after the Flefh, hut after the Spirit^

For they that are after the Flefh, do mind the things of
y. the Flejfhy but they that are after the Spirit^ the things

of the Spirit,

6, For to be carnally minded is deathy hut to be fpiritually
minded » life and peace,

7. For the Carnal mind is enmity againU God, for it it
not fubjeH to the Law of God, neither indeed can he,

«. So then they that are in the Fle/h cannot pleafe God,

13. For if ye live after the Flefh ye /hall die^ but if through

the Spirit ye mortifie the deeds of the Body^ ye /hall
live.
Gal. J. 19. Now the worlds of the Fle/h are manifefi, which are

the/cy Adulteryy Fornicationy VncleannejJ, Lofciviouf"
nefiy Idolatry, Witchcrafty Hatred, Variance^ Emulati^
ons, IVrathy Strife, Seditions, Herefies, Envyings, Mur*
20. dersy Drunl^enneji, [{evellings, and fuch lif{e, of the

2-1. which I tell you before, as I have told you in time paft^

that they which do fuch Thing.', /kail mt inherit the
Kingdom of God.
a*. But the fruit of the Spirit it lovey joy, peace, long*

^3* fuffering, gentlenefsy goodnejs^ faith, meekpefs, tempe*

rance^

The Reformed Liturgy, ii

rance^ againft fuch there is no Law, j^nd they that are 24.

Chrifts, have crucified the ftefio with the affeBiom and
lufts.

Let us walk ho^flly as in the Day^ not in rioting and Rom. 13, i j:
drunkennejl : not in chambering and wantonnefi, not in
ftrife and envying. But fut ye on the Lord Jefus Chrifty 14,

and mak^e no frovijion for the Flejh to fulfill the Lufts
thereof.

Love not theTVorld, neither the Things that are in the \ Joh. 3, 15",
iVorldy if any Man love the TVordy the love of the Far-
ther is not in him. For all that is in the Worlds the lu!t i5.
of the Flefh, the luft of the Eye^ and the pride of Life^
is not of the Father, but » of the ff^orld.

Enter ye in at the Urait gate^ for wide is the gate and Mar. 1, 15,"
broad k the way that leadeth to deJlruHion^ and many
there he that go in thereat. Becaufe §lrait is the gate,
and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life^ and few
there be that find it.

For the grace of God that bringeth Salvation, hath ap^ Tit. 2. 11.
feared unto all Men, teaching us, that denying ungodli"- lU

nefi and wordly lujisy we fhould live foberly, and righte-
oufly, and godly in this frefent PVorld^ looking for the ij.

hlejfed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God^
and our Saviour Jefus Chrilf^ ffljo gave himfelf for us, j

that he might redeem us from all Iniquity, and purifie
to Inmfelf a peculiar People s^ealous of good t4^orkj*

Blejfed is the Man that wall^eth not in the CounfelofVM. i, i2
the ungodly^ nor Handeth in the way of Sinners, nor Jlt^
tcth in the Seat of the Scornful. But his delight is in 2.

the Law of the Lordy and in his Law he doth meditate
day and night.

The ungodly Jhall not Hand in the Judgment^ nor 5iw* y.

ners in the Congregation of the Righteous,

Wherefore we receiving a Kjngdom which cannot be Heb. 12. 2?»
moved, let us have grace, whereby we may ferve God ac^
ceptably, with reverence and godly fear, for our God is a ap.

confuming Fire.

Seeing then that thefe Things (hall be dijjolvd, n>hat ^ pgj^ ^^ j^
manner of Perfons ought ye to be, in all holy converfation j^,

and godlinefl, looking for and having to the Coming of
the day of God,

Therefore my beloved Brethren^ be ye SiedfaHr, un*- ^ q^^ ^ . -g
movable, always abounding in the iVork, of the Lordy for
Mi much as ye krioWy that your labour is not in vain in the
Lord, B b b Thea

12 The Reformed Liturgy »

Then may be faid the 95 or the 100 Pfalm, or the 84.

Luke 4. !(;, And next the Pfalnns in Order for the day ; And

i7f *8- next (hall be read a Chapter of the Old Teltamenr,

fuch as the Minifter findeth moft feafonable ; or with
the liberty exprefled in the Admonition before the fe-
coiid Book of Homilies.
Aft. 15. 27, After which may be fung a Pfalm, or the Te Deum

& 1. 1. faid, then (hall be read a Chapter of the New Tefta-

menr, and then the Prayer for the King and Magi-
ftrates. And after that, the fixty feventh, or ninety
eighth, or fome other Pfalm, may be fung or faid, or
the BenediBuf, or Mngnificat, And the fame or-
der to be obferved at the Evening Worfhip, if time
allow it.

Neh. 8. 4, 6. ^Vr^^T after the Pfalm the Minifter (hall fin the
& 9. z, i,4,^,5. i-^ Pulpit) firit reverently, prudently, and fervent-
10. 58. Ad. i:. ly pray, according to the State and hecellities of the
J^^^ ^ J j*^ ^^ Church, and thofe efpecially that are prefenc, and
1^. 13. 16. according to the Subject that he is to preach on.
iTim.z. ?. And after Prayer, he ihall preach upon fome Text (
I Cor.14.1 «jj6. Qf f^QJy Scripture fuiting his Matter to the neceflities
Neh. g! 8. \ti. o^ ^he Hearers, and the manner of delivery to their
X0.7, 9iTim. Quality and Benefit. Always fpeaking from Faith
4 1,1. Ad. q. 20 and holy Experience in himfelf, with plainnefs and
loh i/iQ^ perfpicuity, wuh reverence and gravity, with con-
1 Cor. 2. 7J n vincing evidence and aiuhority, with prudence, cau-
Mat. ".19. Tit. tion, faithfulnefs, and impartiality, with tender Love
^^M^^^- ^'"and melting CompafFion, with fervent Zeal, and
13 i7^'^EpiK^6' P^r^^^^^^"g Importunity, and with frequency and
19, lo. Judf 17. unwearied Patience, waiting on God for the Succefs.
2^ Aft. 18. 1). After Sermon he ihall pray for aBleirmgon the Word
I Tim ^f V-^^^^ Inftrudlion and Exhortation, which was delivc-
A'>.zo.36. Pfai r^d.; And in his Prayers (before or after Sermon)

1. Rev. II. I r ordinarily he fhall pray for the Converfion of Hea-
' ^'J".^-^'-»^ thens, Jews, and other Infidels; the fubverfion of
^ j^ i^^Yl'^^c" Idolatry, Infidelity, Mahometanifm, Herefy, Papal

2. \(\. Rev. 18. Tyranny and Superftition, Schifm and Prophanenefs,
1'. Mar. r,. 9. and for the free progrcfs of the Gofpcl, and the en-
iT f- p'h ^'^^^^^' Qf Faith and Godlinefs, the honouring of'
C, 19 I tiki -. Gods Name, the enlargement of the Kingdom of
X. ]«'h. 17. iQ. Chrift, and the Obedience of his Saints thtough the

Na-

The Reformed Liturgy. \^

{Rations of the Earth. And in fpecial for thefe Na- ' Sam. 12. 25,
tions; for the King's Majefty, and the reft of the?,^.^''*''- ^•
Royal Family, for the Lords of his Majefty's Coun- jam.' s'.'i'/iV, '
cil, the Judges and other Magiftrates of the Land, 16,17.' iWp.
for rhe Paftors of the Church, and all Congregations ^5^- iCor.i4.i^.
committed to their Care and Government. Always p^^,^'"" '°' ^*
taking heed that no mixtures of imprudent, diforder- Rev. i. lo*.
Jy Expreflions, of private difcontent and paffion, of A^s 20. 7.
unreverent, difobedient, feditiou$j' or fa6lious Inti- p^^* '• ^"^j '7*
mations, tending to corrupt, and not to edifie ^^^ \Qol^/j 2
Peoples minds, do turn either Prayer or Preaching in- 1 Tini 3. 5. '
to Sin. And ordinarily in Church-Commilnion,^ ?• if'
efpecially on the Lords Day (which is purpofely fe- a^*"^*^'^*^^'
parated for the joyful Commemoration of the Blefled ^°' ^'
Work of Mans Redemption) a confiderable propor-
tion of the Fublick Worfhip rouft confift of Thanks-
giving and Praifes to God, efpecially for Jefus Chrift,
and his Benefits; ftill leaving it to the Minifters dif-
cretion to ablDireviate tome, parts of Worlhip, when
iie feeth it needfu] to be longer on fome other.

The Sermon and Prayer being ended, let the Mi-
nifter difmifs the Congregation with a Benedidkion,
in thefe or the like Words.

%\tmt are t()ep ttjat fjear tlje Mo}^ of <25^oD, anB Luke n. 18.

%^t %ep h\ti& ^ou, anu keep i^m ; tiiz %tp Levit. s. 24,2^,
mafee Iii0 face to ftiim on pon, anD be gracious unto i^.
pou h 2ri)e JLo^D lift up l)i^ countenance upon pou, anD
gibe pou peace,

W\)z #tace of our llogt) 3lefujef ^i)^i% ann tl)e ^ Cor. i?. 14,
lobe of (0OD tl)e ifatljer, and tl)e Communion of tlje

igolp C5l)0ff, be bOitl) pou aH^ Amen^

Except there be a Communion in the Sacrament
of the Lords Supper to be celebrated, or any further
Worlhip to be.perfnrmed, and then the Minifter may
delay the Benedidfcion till the End.
, And becaufe when there is leifuf e, the Prayers of
the Church (hould be as full as the Rule and our Ne-
ceflities require ; let the following General Prayei; be
ufed, when the Minifter findeth it convenient, inftead
©f the Litany and Golleds.

B b b gs Here

14 The Reformed Liturgy,

Here are alfo adjoined a Thankfgiving for Chrift
and his benefits, and a Hymn to be afed at the dif-
cretion of the Minifter either after Sermon, or at the
Communion, or on other Days.

A Prayer for the King, the Royal Family, and
Magiftrates.

A ?lmigl)e? (3od, bptoljom Hfiingief reign, anti W^^irt^
a\ re0 Decree J^Qice^ tofto ruled in all the Bing^

Pfov. 8. I f .
Dan. 4. ?i.

m ^/ii. &^otttaof si^en, "anD gibeS ttjetn to i»t)omfotber n)ou
93. w &6f.4. tDift, \x)[)o bp tl)p (peciai IPgobiDence had fet ober u0
& <^o. f . & ^o tljp ^erbant Charles our J^ing : cit^oton l)im toitl) thv
M- & 59 '• 3i5lcrfing0, aiiD fati^efie him "mitl) tl)p <J5ootJuef0*

c li^Mar i ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^' ^^^^ ^^S^^^ ^l^^^^ ^"^ DefenD him againll
1 ifa 59 s" & ^"<^^ ^^ nfe up agaiaC Ijim ; prolong i)\0 life in i)eacf
li.i.' I Km. ant) Eigl]feoufnefj0f, grant Ijim the §^pirit of CDUir:^
1. 3,7, 9- Jofii. Dom anti ccounfel, the Spirit of igolmefjef, anD tiie
1.8. zcch. ti.fear of the ?lo^ti, t^at t)t ,ma^ bnoto l}0b3 to go in

T m\^'<^' ^"^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^ srt^at people ober ©hotn thou f)aff
&'ioi 6 Pre." f^^ *i"^ ^ct not tip Jlabj Depart out of t)i)S minD,
xy. ^ * T Tim^^ moutl)/ but tet hith meoitate in it Dap anD night*
z. z. z Tim. 4- ^afec hitn a0 an 3lngcl of <23oD to Difcern bettor en
7f 8- Rev. 11 gooD anD ebtl, ttjat in l)i0 epe^ a bile perfon map be
f; f^^-^' '5 contemneD, but be map honour tbem tbat fear the

jara 3 17! ^°<?^» ^')^f ^)^^ ^P^^ ^^?^ ^^ "POi^ ^^)^ faithful of the
r Sam! 2?! ?• ^^uD, that thcp map Dtoell toith hitn, anD tl)ep tljat

Job. 7. 17- arp perfect in the toap ferbe him -. ikemobe ti^e uiicktX)
a chron. 19. 6- from befo;e I)im, tl)at hi0 STh^one mav be edablifbeD

R m\^'7' in HivigljteoufneCa, anD grant that unDer him toe map

RevM^'ir. *^^^^^ a quiet anD peaceable life in all <0oDlinef0 anb

PfeL^s*. 18.* tgonedp* AlnD tohen be h^th finifijcD hi0 courfe on

jer. 31-11. Ofarth, let him inherit a cir^oton of Hghteoufnei^,

Mat. 6. 13. anD reign toitl) cb^ill fo^ ebrr* ©lef^ ti]t iSlueen

another, the3|nuliriOU0 55^ince, James, Duke of York,

anD the reft of tlje Hopai jFamilp, enDue tljem "ooitl)
thp igolp Spirit, inricl) them )x>iti) tljp beabenlp
(Bfiace, anD make tljem bleffing0intl)eir(25eneratiom
i^nDue tl)e io^D0 of hi0 ':^milies ca:Quncil, anD all
tl)c /liobilitp, tlic 3fuDgc0, anD an the fli^agidrate^ of
the ianD toiti) (KnifDom from abobe, tljat thep map
rule a0 in thP fear. anD juDge Ki^hffou^ ^iuDgmcnt,
anD mav take heeD tohat tljep do, a0 lUDging not fo^
man, but fo^ the !l02D, that J\uRi(€ map run Doton
20 Miater, anD Kighteoufnef0 as a mights tJream -,
^et alllji0 S^ajeUp^ ^ubjett0 Dulp fubmit to him

anO

The Reformed Liturgy . 1 5

anD obep ftim, not onip fo? te^atl). but fo^ confcience
fake : ?Let aH t\iis l5:mgliomi8i be tfte ifemgDom^ of tl)e
3tloA ant) of i)\si ^on ccljriC, tf)at (0oD tnap tiboell
amongC u0. anD tfjat it mat? be faia of tl)em, W\)t
5lo;t) blef0 1\^, SD !^abitatiori of Juflice, ann ^pcmi:::
tain of r^olinef^* jFo,2 tt)ine, ^ ^Fat^er, toitl) tt)e
^on anD i^olp d^IjoCf, 10 tlje jIfiimgDom, anD ^otoer,
anD C^^lo^p fo^ eber* Amen.

The General Prayer.

OSPott !&oIp, BlelTeD anD (2B^lo?iou^ €rmitp, Mat 28 10.
iFatI)er, ^on, anD !^oIp (Bi)0% €i)}tt perfon0, J^^h. y 7. iCor.
anD ^ne <25oD, our cjfreato^, HeDecmer, anD ^antti:; ^- ;); m A ;\o*
fier, our 5fl.o?D, our dBfobemour anD jfatl^er, ^earu^, Hcb ^ - ^ ^^'
anD ijabemercp upon U0, miferabie finnerje^* 1 per. ^.g'. piii.'

J8!> 5lo^D our s^abiour, (25oD anD 5)^an ' tofjo, fja^ 2.2.18. iCor.n.
bing aiTumeD our il2ature, b^ tl)p fuffermgjs anD ^'5,6.Pfai.io3.
Deati), anD burial, hiaU maDe a Hanfom to tafee atoap [% ^^^^ lil'
tije fin0of tl)e mo^in, M)0 being raifeD from t^e f ,7* ^^^ cor.'
DeaD, afcenDeD anD glo^ifieD, art maDe l^eaD ober aK 1^.4! 1 Tim. 5.
tl)tng0 to tlje SI)uref), ixiijid) tfjou gatljered, iu^i:: 6. iM i. zp.
fieg, fanctifieU, ruIeU, anD |3^eferbe(!, anD ioljictj at ^ph.

10, 22.

ti)^ coming STIjou txiilt raife anD juDge to enDlef;0^^""*/v°''^*
(Biop. cDOie befeecl) ^Ijee to tjear u^, miferabie , Thef!Ti6 17
(inner^, mafee fure to U0 our Calling anD OElection, i Pet. i.'io.
our unfeigneD 5FaitI) anD Kepentance 5 tfjat being /u=* iTim i.^.Rom.
ftifieD, anD maDe tl}e §^on0 of CPoD, bje map;-^>'>j^o-^Cor.
Ijabe F^ace koitfj fjim, a0 our reconcileD d^oDanD^-^^^^^--^-^*
iiatljer*

Jlet tf))J l}otp §fepirit fanctifie u^, anD DhjeH in U0, ^ Pwc.i.a.Rom.
anD caufe U0 to Denp our felbe^, anD to gibe up our '■ ^ '• ^?af-8-34.
felbejef entirelp to STtja?, a^ being not our objn, but i cor. 6 19,20
^i)int* Rev. 411. Job.'

3i^ tl)e ««o^lD toaj8f createD fo^ tf)p (IB^to^p, let tl)p n. 28. Mar.^
iRame be glojifieD tl)geugl)out tl)e ©iio^lD ^ ilet g>elf i^- Pfai. 22.23,
lobe, anDP^e, anD ^ain^glo^p be DeSropeD, caufe ^7,^8. iXim.?.
U0 to lobe SlT^ee, fear riiae, anD Wxnfl inWimr.jf[7cl]'r
toltl) an our fjeart^, anD to Ube to Sri)ee* r^

jtletallttje ot'artl) fubject tl}emf£lbe;8^ to tljae tl)eirpiai.2.5f47.7.
i&ing^ ilet tl)e laingDom^ of tlje QjOIo^ID become tljeRcv. 1I.I^

Aas26. 18.

iaingDom^ of tlje ^o^D, anD of 1)1$ cljriU* 31et t^e^^J^- ^- ^'^•
4ltl)eiff0, 3|Dolater0, di^atjometan^, Jleb^je:, anDO:;?^^^ ^^
tl)er 3|nfiDel0, anD ungoDlp ^people, be conberteD*Mat.9 i^Vk

§feenD fo^tlj maet Jlabourer^ into tlje IJarbeft, anD 14. i^.
let tlje (Potipel be p?eacl}eD tlj^oug^ut all tlje couo^iD*

35 b b 3 JP^fs

1 6 The Reformed LUnrgy.

1 Thcf, M, 1. jp^efertje aiiD blrf^ tlirm in tfjp loip^ft*. ^ullam in
Rev. z.?, 19. patience. auD fcafnablv t)elibcr, tlje C5:i)urci)e0 tt)at
f^ ]• '°' are oppreCfeD bv liaolatrrH, Jinfitiel^, a^afjometanjBf,

Rc/i's ikip. ^' ^^^^^^ <cni\mis. 0^ bp tl)e Komanlpapal Hfurpa:^
tph! 4. i. f» 3 ?, tionjBf^ •'- )?■

i^-, 1^. Titus i. (lilmtc an cjrl)2il!iaa0 in 31efu0 <B:!)riiJ, ti)t true
10. -Xor.i.1% anD oniv imiberral igeaD. in tl)e true Cbriflian mXi
1 Cor.i. 10 (a:atfp[iff5 jfaitliann iLobe^ cal!out!^erefie0anD<tto^
f<'T* ^^*i'.hn^ ruprion0, lical Ditifions, let t\)Z Hxm^ receibe tf)e
Rom*. 1 31. ^c-3k, anDbeartljeir 31nfirmitie0', l^eftrain tlje fpi*
L.'ke9-5v ^^^ Of l^^iDe auD crueltp, auD let notljing be Don?
Pfai. 77-10. in iirife, 0^ ijain:;glorp^

nr'f^'^'p h "^tzpusi from -Itl)eifm, ^ItJOlatrp, anD rebellion
; u 1 Tim t' ^Saintt %\]Zt\ from 31nfitJelitp aingoDlinef^ ana
lU,\. iCorYi^enfualitp , from ^ecuritp, ^iefMmption anD JDe:^
9. iihei'.2.io (ixiir^ Jlet u^Deligl)t to pleate Itfjee, anDletttjp
Rom. 8. 14- eraro^D be tlje feule of our Jraitl^ anD 3ii^ej8f ■, let u0
prai.40.8.5ci.i. lo^^ jj. g^^ unDer0anD it, mo meDitate in it Dap

Pfal uT^jiT.^^^iB^W^-
Mat iTV 3C.ttti5 not corrupt o? neglect tbp SUo^lfiipi no^

Exod.zo.4r,8 ^^^^ ti)P ^"^Ip iRame in bain, feeep u^ from 25Iaf*

M.rk; if.i; pt^emp, Jdenurp, p^opljane ^iuearing, 5lpmg, com;

Jam >•. It Hcci tempt of tiip^^Dinance^, anD from falfe uni»o^t(ip,

^<*v h^^^" ^ anD unrebermt tljougljt^ anD fpeecl)e0 of (Z3oD, 0^

Rc\ I L'' ' '" '^'^^P tilings , anD from tije neglect ano p^opljanation

Pro. zi. I. Pfal. Of t\)i> W(Q\V I^aV* ' ■ ^ \

i. 10, 11,12. . piit it into tiff i]ems of tije mn^si anD ^iUkxa of
lii. 49. 13. fije ^c.zlD. to fubmit to eiviff, anD ruie fo^ l)im a0
iChicn. Tf.6. _^y^g^g j?atl)er;G; to t)i0 cuiiurcl): 4inD fatoe tijem
\ThT\^6 o ' ^^^ fi)^ tetnptatiohB tliat UiculD D2oton tijem in fen:?
Mat. ZI.44. fualitp 0^ uouiD b.eiifi tbem upon arl)2ill ag a
jph. II. 48. ^^ock of oft'eiue bp engaging tijem againli Iji^ Ijolp
piii. I, z, 5, s. jDcctrine aj:iap0 anD s^erbanr^*

iTtin. 2.2. iijabe mercp on tijv ^erbant Chaiks our fiing,
Pui. 5^. I. protect i)i.8 Iperfon. illuminate anD fanctifie ijim bp

L^rr & ''- ^^^^' ^'^ ^*^" ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^"^i^^ ^^^ '"^P ^^^^ ^^^"^^
u.n. Rom.ii" l^cnour, tlje encreafr of jFaitlj, auD Ijolp C^beDience

5,^ I Pet. Z.I 4! to tijv llalv0 - anD map gobern U0 a^ rljp cipmiffer,

1 rim. 2. z. appointed tp E'ljCC fo^ tl]e tfnoiir of etJil Docra; anD

riic p^aife of tl)em t{)at do UieU t(jat uiiDer Ijim luc

map hue a quiet aiiD peaceable life, m ali C^oDlinefo

anb itonefip*

Pal •'2 1 Prrv ll>abe mcrcp upou all tlje Kopal jramilp, upon tlje

«. 16. tx>d.i^. ^D^^J0f of tlje ^touncil, m'^ all tlje /^obilitp, tlje

?.T.job29. 3;Uoge0, an) orl)cr £l5agi(!rate0 of tljefe 3LanD0.

ifa. 1. 17.2J. J.tt tiiem fear 2b(iee anD be c^nfampie^ of J^irtp

ija. li. ;. anD jErempermue, Ijater^ of 3iniuftue, civobetoufneffi,

anD

The Reformed Liturgy, 17

anD p^ioe, anD JDefmoerjef of t\}t Innocent : in ti)t\t
ev^0 let a bile perfon be contemneo, but let ttjem tfo^
nour tl)em t^at fear tlje ?Lo^9^

5iet eberp foul be fubiect to tlje i^igfjer poh)er;0, Rom. 13.1,2.^.
am not refiiJ i ?let tljem obep tt}t ihmg, ano all in i Tim. 2. 2.
4lutf]o^itp> not onlp fo^ to^atf), but fo^ confcience fake^ * Pet. z. 1 3.

(Bibe aK tbe Cf)urci)e0 able, tjolp, faitl)funpallo^0. ^ Cor. ^ 6.

tl)at mar founOlp anD tsiligentlp pzeac^ tt)p JMio^D, J^£;.^ ^^
anD iguiDe ilje dflocfe0 in ix»ap0 of igolinef^ anD Fear e, £ ^"1* n \
oljerfeeing anD ruling tljem not tp coniiraint, but jam. 3.* 17.'

JfoiHinglp, not fo^ filti)|> lucre, but of a reaop minD ; tzek. 34.
not a0 being ^o^D0 ober tt^f igiritage, tut tlje ^er^ ' P' t. s. 1,2,3,4-
i)ant0 of an, anD <2^fample0 to tlje fiock, ttjat '^l^'- ^°- -^>
it)l)en tlje djief ipafio^ ftafl appear, tt)epmapreceibe^'' ^''
tf)e c^oton of (25Io^p>

5Q.et tlje people knoti) tl}ofe tljat are ober tijem in Heb.I^ 7, 17.
tlje lio^D anD labour among ti)em, p?eacl)ing to tljem \r\m<^l'^ ^*
tl)e ^o^Dsf (BoDh let tljem ijigtjlp efieem tijem in ^^™-5-i7.
lobe fo^ tijeir Mo^kis Me, account tljem bio^tljp of
Double Ipnour. anD obcp tl)em in tt)e Jlo^D>

5let !Parent0 b^ingup ti)eir ca:l)ilD^en in 3^olp i^ur^ Epb. 6. i.
ture, tfjat tliep map remember ti)eir Creator in tl^e^cci. n. i.
Dap0 of tljeir goutl}, anD let cfrfjilD^en, lobe, fionour Pnh ;?'? J^'/v
anD obep tl)em; ^et iRu0banD0 lobe ttieit ^ii^e0.^^^^,:.]\'^^
anD guiDe tljem in knotolenge anD i)Olinef0; anD let 3. 7. 1 Coi.4.1.'
gxuibe0 lobe anDobep ttjeir igu0banD0. %.et^&flev0 & 3. ^2,25,^-
rule tijeir ^erbant0 in tl)p fear. anD ^erbant0 obep
tljeir ^aller0 in tl)e ?Lo?d*

meep u0 from £purDer^ anD biolence, anD injuri*' i job. 3. ly.
ou0 paffionate 9xao^D0 anD 4lction0* Luke 3. 14.

iseep U0 from fornication anD all (rincleannef0, - Co'"- 7-} Pro-
from Cljambering anD ix)antcnnef0, from inCtini]'^ ^"■^^^f-''^
2ri)ougl)t0. anD fiitljp Communication^ anD all un^^Is.' 1 Cor.k.%1
cl)alle bcl)abiour* Kom. 1M3.

meii;im from Sealing o^bcj^onging ciu: iJ^eigijbourEpJ; ^3>4^ 'v
in l)is p^op^ietp, from perberting 3|uffice, from falfe^pp* +• "S-
b3itne(ring anD Deceit, from aanoering backbiting,]'4i8i1 pro
uncljaritable centuring 0^ otljer U)^ong to tlje reputa^ 19. ^ & 10. is":
tion of our i|^eigi)bour0. Pfai. is. 3.

i^eep u0 from cobetmg anv tl]ing tljat i0 our ^ei^h^ M.t. 7. 1 2.
bour^. 5iet U0 lobe our i^>igt}bour0 a0 our felbe0,^^°; ^^ 17.
anD DO to otl}er0 a0 b^e b30ulD tl)ep l^oulD do to U0* jjjg[' l"-^^'

csraufeuato lobe ^l^iH in l)i0 aipemb8r0 UntI) a Mat.' 25. 40,
$ure anD ferbent Jlobe, anD to lobe our afnemie0, < Pec i.z2.
auD Do gcDD to all a0ljoe are able i but efpeciallp to
t^e ijouftolD of jfaitlj^..

^b.b, 4. ^iS3ip

1 8 TAe Refornted Liturgy.

Mar. f . 4*. C15ite U0 our neceffarp futtentation anD p^obifion

Gal 5. lo. fo^ ti)v ferbice, ano contenteonef^ tljeretoifl) ^ Blcf^

^T-^ '^; ^-^ our labours, ann t\)t fnut0 of tl)e Ofartl) in tfjeir fea:^

Deur^s - 4 foil. anD gitc U0 fuct) tem^jerate tocatijer a0 teuUetl)
Pfai.iix.&i'ig.llf^rcunto; JDeliber m ano all tlip ^crbant0 from

"Dcuc. 11.14. (ucli ftcknrfe, lDant0, anD otiier DiUreCfe^, ajffmap

Phil. z. 17. unffafonablp take u^ off tljp ferbice* Beep ujsf from

Rom. J 3. 11, giuttonp anD D^unbenneC^, flott)fulner0, unlaMul

U^rVak'^' %^^^^ anD from mabins p^bifion fo^ tl)e flefJ) to fa^;

jviir.5.30. tijjfie it0 luttH.

1 Tnh » T 1 ^^^^^ ^^ f"^' reffore u^ bp true mi^mtmzt anD
Gai"*i jami jfaiti) in cs:I)^itt: Itlet U0 loatl) our felbc0 fozour
i9,io.Ezck.6.9. tranfgreCfion^; ^o^gibe tl)em an anD accept m in
Eph. 1.6^7. tl)pU)eIlbelobeDS>oni fabe ujb? from tlje curfe anD
Hcb. 7- if- puniflnncnt toljicl) tljep Deferbe, anD teaclj ug Ijear^
Mar. 6. II. 14. f|{p ^Q fo^gibe otl)er0 ; conbert our enemiejB, pcrfe^
Luke 2^2 ^^' cuto^0 anD aanDerer0, anD fo^gibe tl)em.
Mac. 15.41. CauCe u0 toboatcl) againtt temptationjef, torefiff
j.m.4.7. 1 J*^ii- anDobercometl)e f\t% tl)e Pebil anD tl}e ^o^lDi
2. 1 3. & ? 4- anD fap no Murement^ of pieafure, profit 0^ Ijonour,
Rom. 8. 13. f Q jjg jj^aton from tl)ce to fin, let U0 patientlp fuffer

1 I h^ii i^ 17. toi^^) ^^)^i2 t'^)^^ ^^ ^^P ^^^ttt^ ^i^^) W^i^*
1 Tim. 1. 18. Beliber u^ anD all tlip ipeople from ti]t tnmit^ anD
Rom. 8. 17. rage of ^atan anD aU i]i0 UiickcD 3flnCrument0^ an^
iPec. )-.s.Pfai. p^efef^e u^ to tl)p l^eabenlp i^ingDom.

1 JO 1 , 7 i 5 . ^Q^ f jpy Qj^l^ ^^.j. f ijg {uniberfal laing : M. potoer
\ xim" i ■ 17 i5 tl)me \n iigeaben anD aeartl) : Of ihce, and through
Mar. 6. ij. ^hec, and to fiiee are all tt)ing0, auD ti)t glo^p (IjaU

Row.U. 3^. be Thint fo^ ebcr* Amen.

Concerning the Pfalms for public k Ufe.

H^e defire that injlead of the imperfeti verjjon of the
Pfalms in Mecter now in Vje^ Mr, William BartonV
VerfioVy and that ferufed and approved by the Church of
Scotland there in ufe {being the beft that voe have fceti)
may be received and correHcd by fome skjlful Men^ and
both allowed (for grateful variety) to be l^rinted together
on fever al Column j or Pages ^ and publickly ufe J ; At leafl
until a better than either of them (hall be made.

r,r, o A Thankfciving for Chrift, and his gracious Benefits.

Pfal. 119. 108. o D o

PCAns' 17. \/(SD^(3\o;i(im dBoD, accept, tlv^cugh tl)r belobcD

2 Cor. 9. 1 5. IVl ^on, thougli from tl)e l^anDjer of finnrrB, of tlianftf:^
Ffai 107. 11. gibing>l)icl)tl)punfi3cakablelDbeanDmercie0.a0h)fn
z Cor. J. 3. ajg tljp QS^oinmanD, do bmD ws to offer up unto arbee*

^fjOU

The Reformed Liturgy, 19

€f)ou art tl)e jfatljer of mercfeie:, anti tl}e <5on of aH ^ ^^- y.
coiifolation, ftilt of comi^rXSon, gracious, long fuffertf gr- ^ ?. 6, 7. ,
ing, plenteous in d^ootinef^ anDtrutI), feeeping merci^ 'T'.i Gen i*.
fo? 2r(}oufantJ0, fo^gibing %nm\t^-> 2rrangreffion ann i^. pfa. s. ;? , 6,
l^m* jfo? tl)p gio?)j tl)ou Dina create us after tl)me Deut. 31. u.
Image ; ST^ou mauefi ujs: a little loU^er tl)an tt)e & 32. j.. Hoi.
4lngef^, anD crob?netifl m b3itt) glo^p anU i)0:? 4. 7- piai. 5. 10.
nour, gibing iiff dominion cber tlje too^fe^ of tf)P ^cn 4 4^'
I)an0j5^, anD putting all tljefe tfjing^ untier our feet* joh.. 3. 16.
dim tDl)en tee fo^fcDlk %i)^, anU bgofee t{)p Cobe^HcU^z. 1^.
nant, and rebelleD againfl STfiee, anD co^rupteD our J?hn 1. 14
felbe0, anD turneD our glo^p into Cljame ; tI)ou DiDfi f p']* 3- »•
not leabe u;^ in tl)e tjanDjer of &eati}, no^ caa m out ; J^J^ \ J?-
into utter JDefparation ; But t!)ou DiDl! fo lobe t\)t Heb. 2. * is'
finful (Wio^lD, a0 to gibe tl)p ^on to be our S^a^ Mat. 4. 10.
biour* !^e ttok not upon ^im the nature of 3ingel0, ^ Cor. 8. ^,
Ivit of #an, %i)Z teo?$ tea^^ maDe fiell) anD Db^elt 'J^^- ^- ^^•
among ufS. 2ri)i0 ij8? tl)e unfeardjable ^piferp of ;T'jj^; '°*
lobe tel)ic!) tlje 3lngel0 Defire to pgp into, ige t»a0 phji. I 7.
tempteD, tl)at fje migl)t fuccour tljem tf^at are tempt^^ Heb. 12.2. Rev.
eD, anD conquereD tlje ^Tempter, tl)at IjaD conquer;^ 3-18. Pfa. j^.i.
£D m : I&e became poj^tljat tea0 ^o?D of an; to l/^^- '"- "■{•
make U0 rid). !^e DiD not fin, but fulfiHeo all riglj:^ 7,^ "^^ '^Tim
teoufnefs^, to fabe usi from our unrigi)teoufnef0* j.'^/i'Cor.
!ge maDe Ijimfelf of no reputation, but tea^ re:^ m. 3.
bileD, fco^neo anD fpit upon, enDuring tf>e c^oCsr, Heb. 2. 14

anD Defpifing tl)e fljame to cober our (bame, anD to ^^i. ?. 13-
b^ing \X0 unto glo?p, tljou laiDtt upon l)im tfte 3(|ni^ ^^l' [I' ^^l'
quit^ of n0 all. !^e tea^ b^uifeD anD toounoeD fo? Eph.' 1.22. pfa.

our ^raufgreffion^, tl)at tee migt}t be l}ealeD bp l)i0 :. 8. phiJ. a. 9c
firipejB^. ige gabe Ijimfelf a jlRanfom fo? u^, anD Mat. i8. w.
DieD fo? our fmjef, anD rofe again fo?our jufiifica::^h. j.zz.Heb.
tion. me tijmk tljee fo? i}i$ oeatl) tijat fabetf) U0 ° jV c^li"^*
from Deatl], anD tljat Ije bo?e tl)e curfe to reDeem u$ If^^ ;/;^ pf2.
from tlje curfe, anD fo? t^iisi life tel)icl) openeD m 119. "i;o. Eph.
tbe teap to life. STfjou l)alJ giben l)im to be IjeaD i.io.iCor.j.
ober aft tl)ing0 to tlie (a:l)urcb, anD l)aff giben ^^.^o ^a-^-
tlje igeatfjen to be Ijig ^Intjeritance, anD gi^«i '^; '.^'^ ixim
Ijim a name abobe eberp name, anD giben all poteer 1 ty Eph. 4.
anD juDgment unto l^im. Me tijmk tljee fo? tlje ,8. joh. n. 40.
i^ete anD better ccobenant, fo? t!)p great anD p?e^ i Tim. 4. z.
ciou0 p?omife0 ; ITljat tljcu IjaU giben u0 eternal i'^^. 8.. 11.12.
life in <iLl)?ifi. riiat tee l)abe tije clear anD fur e Eebela^ {f-J; ^- ,h"''-
tion of tljf teiH m tlje igolp S>cripture;ff. STijat tljou '/^o kom. 10.
fouuDeDU tljpCljurcIj upon 3lpomej8f anD Jd?opl)et0, .t. Heb. 11.15.
3iefu0 Clj?i(i Ijimfelf being t^e beaD Co?ner^aone. Exek. ??. u,
#nO ijatt committeD to tljp ^iniUerjef tije teo?D ofPro-i-^-^i ^i-

j^ecoiv-

20 The Reformed Liturgy,

J.h. 6. 44 Aa. Keconciliatron, H)at ajff (^mbaffaDo?j8^ (peafeing in tfte
^ 16 .4. ges9 of <2:!7rill tijrp migt)t befoecli U0 to be reconcik^

Rom' to' 20. ^^ ""^° ^^^* cue fliauk tl)*3e ti;at bp tliem tijou i)aff
Arroiy. 11 op^ntf owf fpf^, aiKi ttttnefi 110 from narftnffe
Rom. M.Aa unto ^iglit, anD from flie potoer of ^atan unto
11.18 Rom.8.Cl5oD» sue ktiere fometime^ fCDfill?, DifobeOient,
u. H» i6»i7. DeccibfD, ferbing Dibcr^ luff^ anD ileafure^, ta:^

% iftLi' ^^^^^ "^ ^^ ^^^^ i»a(bing ofiRegeneration, anDre^
q. 4, r^S' netoins of (ije l^olp Gljoa. Wljou miijljtea lump
Rem. 8.'^. t)abe left 00 to tf)e blmoneCa of our mmDjs^, ano to
Eph. ^ 11. tt)c f)art5ner0 ef our Ijeartj?, to feareD confciencejB^,
te^- ^- '^ to be pafl feeling, to our oton i)eart« iuUsi to toaik
I tira 2 V ^" ^^ 0^" «itounrel0, anD to 'v^o^k uncleannef^f
Mar. if.H'. ^'itt) greeDinef^, toljenme fo oft rerufeD toccme to
Pfai. 89. 7. & Slj^il! tbat toe migljt l}abe life, anD ix;oulD not Ijabe
28. 6. & 51. 22. i^iin to reign ober uis. But ttjp patimce ixiaiteD on U0
Piai. 86. 1 3- iji our fm ; 4inD all tf)e Dap long DiDll tljou Oretcl)
fo^tf) t^p l)anD to a DifobeDient anD gain^faping
ipeople. mii]tn toe tiirneD from tlja?, tl)ou calleDff
iRfter UjB", to turn anD libe : STljou D^etoeU Uj8f to tljy
^on anD cpeneDff our !)eart0 to attenD unto tl7v
Call : :lriiou lobeDll usi firfl, anD toa^ foimD of
tljeni ti)at rougl)t tljet not* Wljou t^€t parDoneD our
great anD manifolD tranfgreffion^, anD iuSifieD m
bp i^aitt) in Clirill, anD giben u0 ^Repentance unto
iiYa : E l)cu tjaU aDopteD us: to be ti)y fon^, and
ioint t\e]xs Uiitl) €1)^2; anD maDe 00 f)i0mem:^
ber0, anD giben ua l)i0 fpirit : <ifflie are no mo^e
Urangers but feUoto ^itmm tciti) ttje ^aint0, anD
of tlp> l)ou(Ijolo; IBIefffD be tl)e (25oD anD ;fFatl)erof
cur ^o^D 3^ieru0 (^tijUiQ, tol)0 of i)i0 abunDant mer^^
cp lirifl) begotten us again unto a libelp l)ope, bp tl)e
iRefurrenion of 3;eru0 clj^iU from tlje DeaD, to an
3|nlifrjtanfe incorruptible, uncefileD, tl)cit faDct(>
not alnap, referbeD in Igcaben fo? ivs* Wipu keep::
efi U0 bptl)P !nigl)tT> potuer ti):ougl) ;ffaitl) unto fal^
baticn: reaDP at laif to be rebcalcD, tl)ougl) lUiIieii
fljcp arc nttDfulj toe ntuft fo? a feafon be m Ijeabi^-
arf0 unDer tnfaulatione; ti)ou IjaU pgomifeD, tijat
an tt)ing0 fbaU too?k togetl)er fo? our gtoD ; in all
our llrait0 tl)cu grantea u0 accefe to tlje :iri)2one of
grace, biDDmg us call upon tl)ce, in tljc time of
trouble, anD p?omit'ing to Deliber U0, ttiat toe
imp glonfv tl)a?, eberp tobne toe Ijabe Icabf to lift
Tip luito cl)cc l)olp l)aaD0, (rlptciallp m tl)e Ijoufe of
p,i(i}^n, anD tlje ^liTemblv of tlje §^aiut0. iThou

Mat'

The Reformed Liturgy, 51

ijaff IjeartJ tlje boice of our i\x^^\mtmn?i teljen tn^

$ate crieD unto ti)Zt -, great 10 ttjp mercp totoarUje?

U8f> ^ 31ogu tt}on fjaft Deliberen our foiil^ from tljt

ioiuel! l^eH -, tljou I}a(! fent fo^tl) from igeaben tfjp

mercp anD txntt) -. ano fabeti U0 from tije vep^aci)

of f)im tijat txjoutD fijoalloto ujer up : tfiou art our

IjiDmg place t 3in tl>e fecret^ of tl)p p^efence tfiou

fi^eferbeS u^ from trouble, from tijt jp^iDt of men,

am from tl}e firife of Srongue^* ^t)ou DoU compafe ^''2^- ^7. ?. &

U0 about 'ixiitt) ^ong0 of ueliberance* SD lohe tlje ^'•;°- ^ 3^.7

5io^D an pe 1)10 S>aint0 ! fo^ tlje ?Lo^D p^eferbetl) tlie ^o-^o & ,0

faitljful, ann plentifuHp retoarDet!) tlje p^ouo ooer. Ha^. ?. a.

i^e Dealetl) not toitl) u0 after our Cinsi, t)i<s 41nger 1 i^i ^i 6.

10 but fo^ a moment, but in ijiis faljour 10 life* 3[n l;!?!'^^'- ^Q-

t}i0 iD^atl) Ije rememb^etf) nterc?^ : M tfjp ))ati}0 p| " ; ' ^'

W %.o^Xi, are mere)? auD trutfj to fuel) a0 feeep t^j> pfai' ,0 J' /•

gtotmanU me com into tl)p {)oure in tf)e multi^ piai. 89. ij.

tuDe of tt)p mercie0, ^ gibe tt)anfe0 unto tlje Jlo^D

fo^ l^e i0 gojD, fo^ l)i0 mercp ennuretl) fo^ eber*

(Blo^^ ve in i)i0 l^olp ilSame, let tlje l)eart0 of tl)em ^^•

re/opce tl)at feek t)im4 ^leffeD are tijz people tl)at

knoin tl)e jopful founo : €l)ep ftaH toatk ISD Jlo^D,

in tl)e ?Ligl)t of ti^y countenance* 3[|n t^p name ^^ai. 84. 4.

CjaE tije]^ rejopce all ti)e Uap, anD in tl)p rigl)teouf;^ ^J^^J- ^^' h*

nef0 anD fabour ®all tl)ep be ejcalteD ^ 25leffeD are inh 11' \^'

tljei^ tljat DixjeH in tl;p l)oufe, tijep toiK be aiK p^ail:^ Re, l[ t

ing tf)0^* ^ fati0fie U0 earlp toitt) tfy^ metc^, t^at

b^e map rejopce anD be gtaD in tl)0e all our Dap0>

(0uiDe u0 bp tl)p <iEounfel, anD afterfcoarD0 receibe

U0 unto tl)p glo^p i b)l)ere b[)itl) all t\)t bleffeD l)oft

of l^eaben, toe map bel)olD, aomire, anD perfectlp

anD jopfuHp p^aife tt)ee, our mott glo^iou0 o^rea:;

to^, iReoeemer ano ^anctifier, fo^ eber anD fo?

eber* Amen.

The Hymn.
The Firft Part.

B?lef0 tlje 51o^D €> mpfifeoul! 4InD aH tfjat i0„.,
b3itl)in me blef0l)i0 l)olp iJSame, Blef0 t\)z ilozD ^^^'- '°5* '' '
SD mv foul, anD fojjet not all 1^10 23enefit0 : to^o
fo^gibetl) all tl)ine 3(lniquitie0, anD l)ealetl) aH t^p 5» 4-
Difeafe0 ! txAp reDeemeb tl)p life from DeKruetion,
anD crotonetl) thee toitl) lobing feinDner0 anDtenoer ^^•
infrcie0^ -$0 far a0 tl)e afad i0 from tlje Wleff, fo

far

2Z The Reformed Liturgy.

far t^atf) Ije remobeD our tranfgreffion0 from iwi ^

ijoh. 3. I. 3i6eI)olD tDl)at lobe tfie ifatljer tjatt) beftotoeo on u0,

i\)B.t toe fljouln be lalleD t^t ^mB of (SoD^ becaufe

tl)j> lobins kiiioiieffi is better tijan ?life, mp ^^Lip-e!

PfaL 61. 3, 4. fl)an P^aife tl)ee. 2ri}U0 biill 31 blcf0 ti)^ toljile 31

Pfai.73. 15. libe, 31 toill lift up mp !^anD0 in tl)p name* Cl^p

^oul fban be fatiBfieD aj0 toitl) marrobanD fafnef^,

i5, 17. anD mp mouti) fljafl p^aife tl)ee toitt) jopful 3tlip0,

Cllljomliabe 31 i^i ig eaben but tijee, anD tijere 10 none

ij. on OEartl) tfjat 31 ^^^^^ befiDe^ tijee* ^p :ffle(I) anD

mp igeart failetl), but (23oD 10 tlje Crengtl) of mp

igeart, anb vav IPo^tion foz eber* f 0^, lo all tl)at

are far from tljee fbaU perilb, but it im gooD fo<2 me

Pfal. 94- IP- to ogaixj near to <Z5ot)* 31 ^^ continuallp toitl) tl)0e*

arijou l)att t)olDen me b)> mprigl]t IjanD, in t{)z tm\^

tituDe of mp tl)oiigl)t0 UJitlfin me, t\)v comfo^t0 oe^

PfaL 73. 24. IWt mp ^ouU 2ri)0u fi;alt guiDe^ me toittj tt)P

arounCel, anD aftertoarD receibe me to glo^p*

The Second Parr.

H^ m, erceHent 10 tfjp lobiiig feinD;ief0 SI>
(0OD, tljerefo^e Do tl)e ^cn0 of a^en put
5. tijeir tmd unDer tlje ibaboto of t\)\> ixjing^* SETijep
fijall be abuuDautlp fati^fieo toitt) tl)e fatnef0 of tl)p
igoufe, anD tljou fljalt make tljem o^mk of tl)e 3Rfc
ber0 of t{)\> pteafure^, fo^ boitli tliee i0 tlje jfoun^
tain of life*" 31n tl))> tigl)t lue (ban fee 51igl)t ; tljere;^
fo<:e mp igeart is glaD, anD mp d^Io^p rejopietl)*
si^p JFlell; alfo (baU red in bop^» %i)m toilt^ibeto
me t\)Z pati) of i^ife* 31" tl)P pzefence 10 fuluef0 of
31op, anD at tl)p rigl)t l)anD are^ pleafure0 for eUer
mo^e* ^urelp (Z5ooDnef0 anD mercp (ban foIloUi
me aE ti)e Dap0 of mp \iiz. ^m ji (ball Dtoell m
tl)e iljoufe of tlje iLo^D fo^ eber* ^ contmue tljp
lobing feinDiief0 to tljem tl}at bnoto tljoe, anD tl)j>
rigl)teoufnff0 to tt)e upright in l)tart* Sto tl)e enD
tl)at mp glo^p map fing p^aiCe imto tl)ee anD not be
filent, w jto^ mp C5oD, 3j gibe tl)anb0 to tljee fio^
cbcr*

The Third Part.

Luke 2: 14. A^JlD^p to C0OD i\\ rt)e iCigl)ea : j2Dn eartlj ^t&a -,

VJ <BooD b)ill toUiaro0 men ! H^^aife pe tlje 5Lo^D,

Pfal. 149. 1, 4, fing to tt)e 3(Lo^D a neU) ^ong ; igi0 p^zaife i0 in tt)e

J- 6- (Congregation of ^AxntiS^ f 0^ tlje ^do^D tabet^

plea;i

Pfal.

i^.

9.' II

pfal.

ij.

6.

Pfal.

j5.

TO.

lial.

30.

IZ.

The Reformed Liturgy. 25

pfeafure in l)i0 ^people, i)t toill beautifp ti^e meefePfaJ-HJ-io,

^itt) falbation. %tt ti]t ^mtg he lopful in <J5Io^ ". i** »3.

rp. iet tlie tjigl) p^aifejer of (0oD be in tljeir

moutl)^. 3in ttip too^k^ p^aife tl)ee, H) 31o^, an5

t!)p ^aint0 l^all hM0 tljet, STl^ep CjaH fpeafe of

tl)t C^Io^p of tf)p jJ^ingDom, anu talk of tfip Ipotoer :

Co make kooton to tlje fonir of men iljy migijtp

4Iitj0^, anD t!)e glo^iou^ (^mU^ of tl}p feingtjom.

2r!)p fiingUom 10 an eberlaCing Singtiom, anD tl)p ^v. 4. g.

JDominion i;8f tI)?oug(i aU C^eneration^* Wije qeU: ^i-

nerjS auD ^amtjs; about tl)p STii^onejrel! not ^apno^

ipigljt, faping, l&olp, igolp, i^olp, Jlo^D ca5oD ^Ilmigfjtp,

tofjici) toa^, antJ i$, anD 10 to come^ 2Erf)ou art

tDo^ttjp, SD ?lo^ti, to receibe <IB(o^j!>, ann igo^

nour, anD ipoiner ; fo^ tl)OU Ijaft created aH^^-^^-

tl)mg0, anD fo? tl)p pteafure tftep are anD toere

createD* 2ri)epfing untotljee tlie l^ong of ^ofe;6^, ^ ^ '^•

anD of tijt ?lamb, faving, (I^;eat anD marbeHou^

are tijp too^k^, 31o^d (Bod 4llmigi)tf> ^ 3f!ufi anD true

are tl)p toap^, t{)0U Jaing of S)amt0* ^l)o (JaU t-

not fear tljee, H> ^o^D, anD glo^ifie ttip iftame .'

fo^ t[)ou onl^ art J^olp : jFo^ aH iftation^ ujall come 9-

anD 2llo^(I;ip before tt}te, fo^ tl)p luDgment^ are

maDe manifelJ^ mo^tt^^ i$ tljt 3fl.amb tl)at toaa ffain, «<»•

to receive Potoer, anD 3Ric^ej8i, anD (KaifDom, anD

§fetrengtf), anD l&onour, anD (Bio^v* S^^l tl^ou I)af

reDBemeD ujef to (IBfoD bp tl)p bl©D, anD maDe v

5Sing0 anD ip^iefj;8f to dB^oD*.

The Fourth Pare.

0€l)at men ioouiD p^a^'fe tfje 51o^D fo^ ^fS „, ,
gooonef^, anD fo^ i)i0 toonDerful too^fa; to^^^'-^'^^.s,!!.
tlje ci}ilD^en of men •' ilet ti)em Sacrifice tly ^a^^ ^ '
crifice^ of a^{}ankfgft)ing, anD Declare t)i0 jco?k0 „. , "
tuiti) rejopcing* ^ing unto tl)e JlogD, ble^ l)i0- ^^'- ^^* ^•
iBame> Ujetjo fogtl) t)i0 S^albation frome Dap 0 Dap»
?aio^(5ip tlje Jlo^D in tfje 13eautp of f9oUnt% fear Pfai. 19. j.
before l)im aH ttje orartfj* jltt tlje J^eatenjereiopce, I'ia 96-9,1 «>i3.
anD ti)e OEartl) be glaD before t!;e3lo^D -, jFo^ I}e com:^
ttih ifo^ i)e cometf) to SlwDge tl)e (25artt> 2Uitl)
migl)teoufnef0 l^all Ije 3fluDge tfje nfflfoglD. anD tl}eprai. lo^^o.
people U)itl) Qi^quitv^ ©lef^ tlje ilozD pr Ijiis 3in^
gelj0 tijat ercel in ftrengtl), tljat Do i)i$ sommauD?
ment0, tjearkening to ifje boice of l)i0 ql'o^D. Mtisi
pe tl)e 5flo;D all pe i)i0 fs^oUsi, pe ^inifterjef or I}i6!
tljat DO ip pleafure i MsiB tlje Jlo^D all i}i^ Mom ^^

m

% 4 ^ ^^ Reformed Liturgy .

in all places of tysi JDominionjef* Blef^ t^t 5(lo^l)»

SD mp foul ; mp moutl) ftaH fpeaft tfje IP^aiftje: of"

tl)e JL02D, aiiD \tt an ;lFteiS blefjsf i)iet ^olp i^ame fo^

Pfai. i4r 21. eber anD eljer* ilet eberp t^ing tl)at ijatlj 23^atl)

Pfal 150. 6. p^aife tlje JlO^D*. Pralfe ye the Lord.

#

The Order of Celehratifjg the Sacrament of
the Body and Blood of Chrifl.

this or the liks Explication of the 'Nature^ Vfe, and
Benefits of this Sacrament, may be ufed at the Difcre-
tion of the Minifter^ tphen he feeth it needful to the
InftruBion of the Communicants.

THAT you may difcern the Lord's Body, and
underftsind the Nature, Ufe and Benefits
of this Sacrament ; you muft know that
God created Man in his own Image, to
know, and love, and ferve his Maker; That Man
fell under the guilt of fin and condemnation,
and left his holy Fitnefs for the work for which
^ was created. That hereupon the wonderful
We and wifdom of God provided us a Reme-
d> in our Redeemer, to the end he might not
lofi the glory of his Creation, that he might par-
dor, and fave us upon terms; Securing the honour
of iis Juftice, and attaining the ends of his Law
and government, and recover us to his love and
fervicr, by appearing to the World, in the greateft
demoiftrations of Goodnefs, Love, and Mercy.
Bytbeireateft Miracle of Condefcention, he firft pro-
mised, and*then gave bis only Son, the Eternal
^ord, :o take man's nature into perfonal union with
his God head ; that being God and Man, he might
be a fit vlediator between God and Man, to reftore
us, and reconcile us to hittlfelf. Thus Jefus Chrift
conceived by the Holy Ghoft, and born of the
Virgin Maiy^ became the fecond Adam, the Phyfician
and Saviour of undone Sinners, the Captain of our
Salvation, to be the glorious King and Head of all
that are fandified and faved. He revealed the Ho-

The Reformed Liturgy, xe

linefs, theGoodncfs, and the Love of God, by the
perfedt Holinefs, Goodnefs, and Love of his Bleffed
Perfon, Dodkrine, and Converfacion, and by fufFer-
ing for us all the Affli(51:ions of this life, and at Jaft
the curfed death of the Crofs, as a Sacrifice and
Ranfom for us. That all this might be effedtual
to our Recovery, he made for us a new and better
Covenant, and preached it himfelf, undertaking the
Pardon, Juftification, and Sandification of all that
by unfeigned Faith do take him for their Saviour, re-
penting of their (ins, and confenting to be fanftified
by his Word and Spirit (by which alfo he inviteth,
and draweth men to himfelf, and givcth ihem to be-
lieve ) : Into this blefled, pardoning, faving Cove-
nant, we are firft folemnly entred by Baptifm. And
when Chrift was ready to leave the "World, and to
give up himfelf a Sacrifice for us, and intercede and
cxercife the fulnefs of his Kingly Power, as the
Churches Head ; and by his grace to draw men to
himfelf, and prepare them for his glory ; he did him-
felf inftitute this Sacrament of his body and blood
at his laft Supper, to be a continued Reprefentacion
and Remembrance of his Death, and therein of his
own and his Fathers Love uniil his coming, appoint*
ing his Minifters by the Preaching of the Gofpel,
and Adminiftratlon of thefe Sacraments, to be his
Agents without, and his Spirit within, effectually to
communicate his Grace.

[The Lords Supper then is an holy Sacrament in-
ftituted by Chrift:, wherein Bread and Wine being
fiffl by Confecration made Sacramentally or Re-
prefentatively the body and blood of Chrift, are ufed
by breaking and pouring out to reprefent, and com-
memorate, the Sacrifice of Chrift's Body and Blood,
upon the Crofs once offered up to God for fin ; and
are given in the Name of Chrift unto the Church,
to fignifie and folemnize the renewal of his holy
Covenant with them, and the giving of himfelf un-
to them, to expiate their fins by his Sacrifice, and
fanCtifie them further by his Spirit, and confirm
their right to everlafting life ; And they are received,
eaten, and drunk by the Church, to profefs that
they willingly receive Chrift himfelf to the Ends a-
forefaid (their Juftification, Sandtification, and Glo-
rification,)

26 The Reformed Liturgy,

rificacion,) and to (ignifie and folemnize the renewal
of their Covenant with him, and their boiy Com-
munion with him, and with one another.]

It being the renewmg of a mutual Covenant that
is here folemnized as we commemorate Chrift's Sa-
crifice, and receive him and his faving bene-
fits ; fo we offer and deliver to him our felves, as
his redeemed, fani^ified people, to be a living ac-
ceptable Sacrifice, thankfully and obediently to live
unto his Praifc.

Before the receiving of his holy Sacrament, we
rauft examine our felves, and come preparedly :
In the receiving of it, we muft excrcife holy affe-
ctions fuited to the work : and after the receiving of
it, we muft by confiderationof it, endeavour to re-
vive the fame Affe(^ions, and perform our Cove-
nant there renewed.

The holy Qualifications to be before provided,
and in Receiving exercifed, and after Receiving, arc
thefe, I. A true belief of the Articles of the Chri-
ftian Faith, concerning Father, Son, and Holy
Ghoft '■, the Perfon, Offices, Works, and Sufferings,
and Benefits of Chrift. 2. The fenfe of our finful
and undone condition, as in our felves, and of our
need of Chrift : fo as humbly to loath our felves for
our tranfgrcflions, with the fenfe of our prefent weak-
neffes to be ftrengthcned, and fins to be forgiven.
3. A true defire alter Chrift for pardon, and fpiritual
Nourilhment and Salvation. 4. A thankful fenfe of
the Wonderful Love of God, declared in our Re-
demption, and in the prefent offers of Chrift, and
Life. 5. The exercife of holy love and joy in the
fenfe of this unfpeakable Love, ( if thefe two be
not felt before we come, yet in, and after the Sacra-
ment) we muft ftrivc to exercife them. 6. A love
to one another, and forgiving wrongs to one another,
with a defire after the Communion of Saints. 7. The
giving up our felves in Covenant to God, with refo-
lution or renewed Obedience. 8. A patient hope
for the coming of Chrift himfelf, and of the Ever-
lafting kingdom, where we ihall be perfectly united
in him, and glorified with him.

lafting

The Reformed Liturgy. 27

Thofe only are to be invited to the Lord's
Table, and to come, that truly repent and believe,
and unfeigDedly confent to the terms of the Cove-
nant ( though all are not to be invited thus to be-
lieve and repent, and fo to come ) But thofe are
ro be adn-iicced, by the Paftors, if they come, who,
h.jving the 'afe of reafon to underftand what they
• io, a4id examine themfejves, ifiave made a perfonal
Frofeirr>n' of Faith, Repentance, and Obedience i
ind are Member? of the. Church, and not juftly for
Herefie or fcandalous fin removed, from its prefenc
Communion.

The Benefit of the Sacrament is not to be judged
of only by preient Experience and Feeling, but by
Faith. God having appoinced us to ufe it, and pro-
mifed liis Bleffing, we may and muft believe, that
he will make good his Promife ; and what ever we
feel at prefent, that we fincereJy wait not on him in
vaiii.

The Bxhortation»

"Vr O U are invited hither. Dear Brethen, to be
-■- Guefts at this Holy Table, by the Lord's Com-
mand, to receive the greateft Mercy, and to perform
the greateft Duty. On Chrift's Part, All things are
pade ready. The Feaft is prepared for you, even
for yoii that bv fin have deierved to be caft out of
the prefence of the Lord ; for ycu that have to
oft negiedtcd and abufed Mercy. A Feaft of the
Body and Blood of Chrift-, free to you, but dear to
him. You were loft, and in the way to be loft for
ever, when by the greateft Miracle of Condefcend-
"ing-]ove, he fought and faved you. You were dead
in fin, condemned by the Law, the Slaves of Satan;
there wanred nothing but the Executing ftroak of
Juftice to 1 ave fent you into emiiefs mifery ; when
our dear Redeemer pitied you in your blood,
and (bed h.s own to walli and heal you. He-fuf-
fered that was offended, that the offender might not
fufifer. He cried out on the Crofs, My X^od^ My God,
Why haft thou forfal{en me^ that we who had dC"
fcrved it, might not be everlaftingiy forfaken. He
died, that we iriight live. O how would the mercy-

C c c" •of

,8 The Reformed Liturgy.

of Redemption have affecSked you, if you had firft
lain one year, or month, or day in Hell I Had you
but feen your d^ing Lord, or fecn the damned in
their mifery, how do you think you (hould have va-
lued the Salvation that is now revealed and tendred
to yovi? See here Chrift dying in this holy Reprc-
fentation. Behold the facrificed Lannb of God,
that taketh away the Sins of the World I It is his
will to be thus frequently crucified before your eyes.
O how ihould we be covered with ftiame, and loath
our felves, that have both procured the death of
Chriftby fin, and iinned againft ic ? And how (hould
we all be filled with joy, that have fuch myfteries of
mercy opened,and fo great Salvation freely offered to
usi O haie fin, O love this Saviour : See that you ,
come not hither without a defire to be more Holy,
nor with a purpofe to go on in wilful fin. Be not
deceived, God is not mocked ; but if you heartily
repent, and confcnt to the Covenant, come and
welconriC ; We have commiflion from Chrift to tell
you, that yx)u are welcome. Let no trembling,
contrite foul draw back, that is willing to be Chrift's
upon his Covenant- terms, but believe* that Chrift is
tnuch more willing to be yours. He was firft wil-
ling, and therefore died for you, and made the
Covenant of Grace, and fent to invite and impor-
tune you to confent, and ftayed for you fo long,
and gave you your Repentance, your willingnefs and
defire. Quefl:ion not then his willingnefs, if you
arc willing. It is Satan and Unbelief that would
have you queftion it, to the injury both of Chrift
and you. Come near, obferve, believe, and won-
der at the Riches of his Love and Grace : For he
hath himfelf invited you to fee and rafte, that you
may wonder. You are finners, but he inviteth you
to receive a renewed, fealed Pardon of your fins,
and to give you more' of his Spirit to overcome them.
See here his broken Body and his Blood, iheTefti-
monicsof his Willingnefs. Thus hath he fealed the
Covenant, which pardoneth all your fins, and fe-
cureth you of your Reconciliation with God, and
your Adoption, and your right to everlafting Blef-
fednefs. Deny not your confenr, but heartily give
up your felves to Chnf\, jind then doubc not but
i your

The Reformed Liturgy. 29

your Scarlet, Crimfon-fins (hall be made as white
as Wooll or Snow. Obje*^ not the number or
greatnefs of them againft his Grace : There is none
too great for him to pardon to penitent Believers.
Great fins (hall bring great glory to his Blood and
Grace. But ftrive you then for great loathing of
your (ins, and greater love to fuch a God, and
greater thanks to fuch a Saviour. Unfeignedly fay,
I am willing Lord to he wholly ThinCy and then believ-
ingly take Chrif!, and Pardon, and Life, as given
you by his own appointment in the fealed Covenant.
And remember that He is a coming. He is coming
with thoufands of His mighty Angels, to execute
judgement on the ungodly, but to be glorified in his
Saints, and admired in all that do believe. And
then we (hall have greater things then thefe. Then
(hall you fee all the Promifes fuliilJed, which now
are fealed to you, on which he caufeth you to trult.
Revive now your love to one another, and forgive
thofe that have wronged you,and delight in the Com-
munion of the Saints : And then you fhall he ad-
mitted into the Church Triumphant, where with
perfed: Saints you (hall perfe£lly rejoyce, and love
and praife the Lord for ever. Receive now a cruci-
fied Chrift here reprefented, and be contented to
take up your Crofs, and follow him. And then
you (hall reign with a glorified Chrift, in the Blef-
icd Vifion and Fruition of that Gud, to whom by
Chrift, you are now reconciled. Let Faith and
Love be working upon thefe things, while you are at
this holy Table.

Then (hall the Minif^er ufe this or the like Prayer.^

M®1I igolpdB^oD, b3e are a^ fiubble before tljee,^^^ ^ ^^^
tl)t cotifuming Sfive* ^o\» (ball toe UanD jz/^- iSam^
before ti}v igoHncfe, fo^ toe are a finful People, 5. zo. Mai. vz.
laDen Wilj 31niquitp, tljat (jabe jjone bacfetoarD anD ^^^ '• 4- Luke
li^obokeD tlje igolp one of ifrad, toljen toe toere'^'^.^^-Ep^-^-
lo(!, tl)p ^on DiD tok anli fabe u^, toljen toe toere^^^'^^- ^^-^^l'
DeaD in^in, tl)ou maDett usi alibe. STljou fatoe(Jcoi. !.*n' je.*
U0 poUuteD m our blooD, anD faiDd unto U0 libe*5.28.DeMt.4.
3In that time of lobe tl)OU cobereui! our naketJnefjSf, m- i^^i^- 6 u^-
SLiiO rntereDll into a ccobenant toitlj u^, ann toe^»' ^-•

(S^cci became

!^c The Reformed Liturgy.

pfai. 100 5.4- became thine otaJn* 2nioirt)iDt! Driiijer ti0 fVbm ttie
H.b. iz. 15. poUier of JDarbiute, aiiD traixaate m into t{)t laing:;
Dcut.p. iz. jiQ^ pf jl^P jiP^^j. ojQ,^ . gj^j, g^^pji y^ remiffion of

" Tim V- -- '^"j t^)^ousI) tH6^ b!aoD» 15ut liie are griel)oii0 3Re^

rjohni. 15. ^olter^, ir.f l}ai)e forgotten tlje Covenant of tl)e

Eph. 1. ?.viai. ^o^D our (25oDi toe Uiere engageD to lobe tl)ee

5. 24. Mat li. toitl) an our lieartxr, ax^ to l)ate iniquitv, auD ferbe

^^ Mar r?'° ^^'^^ Oiligentlp, ano tl}aabfuU?> to fet fo^tl) tl))>p^ai£e*

?o Rom zr-^ ^wftx^t I)al)e TeparteD fromtI)ee, auD co^ru4)te9 our

iCor.'.o. \i: rellie0 bv felf4o\)e, anD bp lebing tl)etDO^ttJ, auD

1 Thef. 4. I. tbe tilings that are in tlje tno^lD, ano ijate fulfilleD

Luke 8. iS. tl)e Defire^ of the ^M% M)k\) loe fljouln Ijabe cru^

vn'.^t^^' '^^^^^^ Mie Ijabe ueglerteD our nutp to ttjee, ano

Deuc 6 6 ^^ ^^"^ neighbour, anD tlje neceflarp care of our oton

?hii.'+. ^. S^albation* o^ttie habe bzm unpzofitable ferbant0,

iCor. n.z-, anD t)abe hiD t\}v STalentn, anD'habe Di(I;onoureD

18. ifa.64.7. ttjar, iDbom in all tl)ing0 toe ftoulD t)aiie pleafeD

21'/' 6 ^"^ glo^ifieD* cKUeljabe been negligent in tieanng

4-"*! Co/i'i ^'^^ veaDing tiiP igolv Mio^D, anD in meDitating anD

29. Mai. 1"-, confernng OF it^ in publick anD p^ibate jp^per,

io,ii.&z. 10 auD STIjankfgibing, anD in our preparation to tl)ij0

11.pfai.85 8. i^olp 5?acrament, in the eA^mining of our felbeje^,

prf /*• 'f anD repenting of our ^\n$, ano Hirring up our

aChro i^-' ' l)fart0 to a bcliebing anD thankful receibing of tl)p

Mat. 2z.ii.^ fif^cB. anD to ?lobc auD ifopfulneCs^, in our com^

Mat. 7. ^^ munion toith tl)ee anD toitl) one anoM)er* idle i)abe

Mil. 1. 10 not Dufr DifcerneD the ^o^D'^ 23oD)% but Ijabe p^o::

ifa c "" \t P'^^"^^ ^^^^^ ^olv iI5ame anD £iD;Dinancf, a0 if tlje

PCil ji I '. arable of the 1o:d haD been contemptible. 3inD

Rev'. ..r ' b^ben thou baft fpob en peace to U0, toe returneD

Hof. 14. ^• again to fcHv. Mfe habe DeferbeD, ^ Iflo^D, to be

E7.ck. .8. vi. caff out of thp p^efeuce, ^nD to be fo^faken, a^ tov

F7 k^'-:"i. *^^^^ fo^faken thee, anD to hear to our confufion,

Hof 14 4 ^ ^ppart from mc, ^1 knoto pcu not, pe too^feers of

pui. ^\. ?. inmit^. '^boumiptli julHp tell U0, tliou l)aff no

J hn 6. ,7. pleafure in U0, no^ toiit rpceibe an offering at our

Hof. T,. 2. i^auD. But >x\t\) thee tl}eie 15 abuiiDant (fercp«.

Mat' f''^' ^^^ '^"^ aiibocate Biefus €l)^ilT the IRighteou^, 10

John 6 5/ & ^'^^ P^^opii^ia^ion fCvZ our fins: toho bare tfjem in

4 ,^. bis I60DP on the cjtrorc, anD maDe bimfelf m offer?

Er'h. 3. i«, 1;. ing fo^ tl}rm, tbM (je migl)t put tl;em atoap hv the

1 Per. .. «. facrifiieor himftlf : n)abe merci> upon U0. anDtoal^

\T\ ';': 7t ^^ "1 ^^'^ ^''^'^'^' ^^'^'■'^^^ "^ ^''^^) *)i^ KigljteourneCsr,
ju.1.6. 3y. J f^^^^ ^^^^ j^j^j. iniquities, anD let them not be our

ruin, f02gibe tbern ano remember them no mo^e:

SD tijou that Delighteff not in tl)e oeatl) of fvni^

nere, Ijeal our backdiDing^, lObe U0 freelp, «nD fap

unto

The Reformed Liturgy, 51

unto our foul;^, tfjat tijou art our falbation. Mpa

^ilt in m ixJife cafi out ti)?m tijat Qome unto ttjee,

receibe U0 graciouilp to tfje feaft ti^ou IjaU pge;:

pareo fo^ U0, caufe xxfS to lounger anD tijirtt after

cijali ant) l)i^. m^\)ttmimisi, t^iat toe map be fa:^

tijgffieu^ ?let fjfe ;f lefl;, ant) 3i5l03D be to u^ s^eat anD

HD^infe inbeet) ; anti i)vz fpirit be in U0, a loaeH of

libing boater, fp^mging up to dfberlading Ilife*

d^ibe ufi to fenoto tl)^ iLobe in Ci)^ii!, b3f)icl) palTetl)

jkhobjieDge* %^m%\) tee i)abe not feen fjim let u^

5(lobe I)im : 4lnt) tljouglj note tee fee ^im not, pet pr_j „. «

beliebing let m rejopce teitlj 3|op unfpeakable, ano Eph 4 \o

fUn of glo^p; '£r()0Ug{) tee are untoo^ftjp of tl}effit>. 5. 13.

crumbs tt)at fall from t(}p ITable, pet feeo u,0 teitQ Coi 3. 5.

tije 3i5^eat) of 3iife, auD fpeak anD feal up peace |p^ 3. 1^.

t0 our finful teounoeo imlB* Soften our ^eartje? ^^^^-^^'^7^

tl)at are fjartJeneo hf,ti)t oeceitfulnefB of fin : ^0^

tifie ttje jtlefi), anD firengtfjen U0 teitlj migl)t in ttje

intearD man •-, tijat tee tee map libe ano glo^ifie t^p

dlJ^ace, tl}^ougl) 31efu^ €l)i\Q. our onip ^abiourt

Amen.

Here let the Bread be brpiight to the Minifter, and
received by him and fet upon tlie Table, and
then the Wine in like manner ( or if they be fet
there before ) however let him biels thenij pray-
ing in thefe or the like vygrds.

A3lmigi)tp <25pD, tl)ou art tlje creator, anDtfjer^n
?lo^D of air tl)ing0. i:i)ou art tl}e ^oberaign r J' '''°- ^*
^^ajelip tel)om tee ijabe offenDeD; €Ij0U art our ixim i 17
mod lobing anD merciful Jfatlier, tei)o IjaS giben Pfai. ?i.V. *
tl)p ^on to reconcile 110 to tljp felf, teI)o l^at!) ra^ ^'^^^- 3^. ^^
tifieD tlje i^ete 2re0ammt anD cobenant of CB^^ace j {"^" ">- ]:
teiti) 1)10 moff p^eciou^ btojD -, anD l^ti) inmtuttJ) f;"J; [, ,1
tl)i0 Igolp Sacrament to be celeb<2ateD in vemtm^ Htb pfi? '
bgance of Ijim tiK 1)i0 comings s>andi^ tl^efe tt^p Luke 22. 19.
Creature0 of B^eaD anD WXin^^ teljicl) accs^Ding to
ti^y JnCitution anb (EommanD, tee fet apart to tijisi^
Ijolp ufe tfjat tijep map be ^feacramentadffp, tlja

3150Dp anD BtOOD of ti)^ §dOn 3lefU0 (Elj^ittt Amen.

Xhen (,or immediately before this Prayer) let tli/e
Minilter read the words of the Inftitution, faying,

HE A R. what the Apoftle Paul faith, i Cor, 1 1 . j c^r, 11..133
:\^For I have received of the Lord^ that which <j//^>>> ^5. 2.(^.,
C c c 3 Jf,

31 The Reformed Liturgy,

1 deliver unto you ; that the Lord Jefus the fame night
in which he was hetrayedy took^ Bready and when he had
given thankjy he brake it. tfnd faid, Tal{e, Eat, This is
my Body which is broken for you: This do in remembrance
of me. After the fame manner alfo he took^ the Cup,
when he had fupped, faying. This Cup is the New Te-
finment in my Blood, This do ye^ as oft as ye drinl{ it in
remembrance of me ; For as often as ye eat this Bread,and
drinks this Cup^ ye do fhew the Lord*s death till he come,^

Then let the Minijier fiy,

THIS Bread and Wine being fet apart, and con-
fecrated to this Holy ufe by God's appointment,
are now no Gammon Bread and Wine, but Sacra-
mentally the Body and Blood of Chrift.

Then let him thus Pray,

Aa^. ^9,^0. \yf ^ff merciful g>abiour,a;8: tI)ou I)aII iobeD m
Rev. I CI Per. IVl to t\)z ticatl), awt) fufferen fo^ our fin0, t{)t
TO lo I rn"' 2^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ffiinjuff, anu Ijaff infiituteo ti)\» !)oIp
ii-^Heb 7 »*crament to be ufeD in remembrance of 2ri)ee
if,i7.& n.z6. tin ti)^ coming; Mie beftecl) €:i)ee, bp thine inter:^
Jul). 4.IO sc6. ceffion tx>\t{) the father, through the Sacrifice of
6r R om. 8. 9, thj^ l5oDp anD 3i5IooD, gibe u$ the parnon of our fin^,
Cola ^u^ thv quickening fpirit toithout tohich thejflefl)

jahn 6 'i- ' ^i^^ ?^^it w^ nothing* reconcile U0 to t!)e jFather 5
Mat. 16. x6. iPourifF) m a0 thp ^ember^ to ^berlaSing 5tlife*
Htb. 10. 12. Amen.

John i. i-).

Then let the Minifter take the Bread, and break it
in the fight of the People, faying,

T1&<K 13oup Of dth^iff toa0 b^ofeen fo^ ujff, ann ofr^
fereD once fo;i an to fanctif|» m : Br holD the
facrificer) Jlamb of (Son, that tafeeth aix)ai> the fin0
of tljf iwno^iD*

•

Ih like manner let him take the Cup, and pour out
the Wine in the fight of the Congregation, faying,

W<s. tocre rcD0?mc5 Uiith the p^ecicu^ ll5IooO of
<&\)iiQ, a0 cf a jQ^amb iwitbout fclemill), anj
iDift)cut ipot.

Then

The Reformed Liturgy. ^^

Then let him thus Pray.
f)Olp fbpitit, p^oceetJing from tfje jFatlier Ma. zs, 19.

M^^.

2]

tl)at Vioefieii anD too^keij in aU ii)Z ^tmhtvisi of K^m. 8

hi>b3i)omtfteib?opf)et;8f an^4ipome0 toeremfpireD/,pgj , ^
anD tl)e ®ini5er0 of orlj^iQ are qualifieD anD caliei?, A^t. *

arf)^ifi, ixiiiom tlpu fanctifiel! t9 tl)e Slmage, am ' Cor. 12, n.
f02 ti)e ferbice of tljeir ^ead, am comfo^teU tl;em ' p^*^- l^- ^^•
tljat ttjep map fteto fo^tl) iii0 IPgaife : 3,Huminate f/ ^X, ;^*
U0, that hp jfaitl] toe map te^ him tljat ijff l)ere re^ t8.Luk.^4.3«'
p^efenteu to ws^ Soften our heartjs^, am humble Ezf:k.3(^. 26.
ujff fo^ our Ux\0* g^anctifie antJ quicfeen uje^, t^at gech. n. 10.
toe map veiif^ tlje fpiritual i?oor>, anu feeD on it to Ron^-s- >.J«'n.
our jfliourithment anti grototh in dB^^ace. »l}f ^ ^6 V ' Ron? ?
ab^oaD^tf)e lobe of dD^otJ upon our igeartjef, auD .-/ont. i. i. '
D^ato tl^em out in lobe to l)im* ifi\lxxfs totthEph.v 18,20.
tljankfulneCflf ann l}olp 3iop, anD toitl) lobe to oiieR^m. 14: 17.
anotljer ; comfort m b]^ toitneCTing that toe are tl)e iJ^^^"^' ^:
«a:hil5?en of (15oD* Confirm 1x0 fo? neto SDhti^ieme. ^ ^J^;. , ^^'
Be the earnel! of our Jinl^eritance, ann Teal ms u^ Bph. i. 13. 'i^
to eberlalling ilife* Amen.

Then let the Minijler deliver the Bread thus confe-
crated and broken to the Communicants, firft tak-
ing and eating it himfelf as one of them, when
he hath faid ;

T^feepe, eatpe, %\)\0 i^theBoDp of <icl}gil!to^ict| i cor. n. 2+.
isi broken fo? pou, JDo tfjlsf in remembrance
of fjim*

In like manner he fhall deliver them the Cup, (irft
drinking of it himfelf, when he hath faid,

T^x0 cup 10 tf)e iPeto STelfament in arCpifTjei w,. ,^ ,-,e
BlfflU, or lQLi)i\St'0 BloD of t\)Z i|2etojrean:^ iCor.ii 2j.
ment] totjiclj 10 Hbm for pou for t\)z remiCTion of
(injsf, Prinfe pe aU of it irt remembrance of tjim*

Let it be left to the Minifters choice, whether he will
confecrate the Bread and Wine together, and break
the Bread, and pour out the Wine immediately ;
or whether he will confecrate and pour out the
Wine, when the Communicants have eaten the
Bread. If he do the latter, he muft ufe the fore-
C c c 4 going

5^ The Reformed Liturgy.

going Prayers an^i Exprcllions twice accordingly,
and lee it be left to hisdircrecion, whether he will
nfe nny vvorJ<: ir the b eakini^ of the Bread, and
pouring out the Wine, or not ; And if ihe Minj-
her chufe to priy but once, at the Confecration,
Cornmemoration," and Delivery ; Let him pray as
• followcih, t r to this fenfe :

3(lmigl)t)' C^oti, thou art the creator, anti the
^02D of ftlL Zl)ou art tlje ^obereigii 5©aie(!v
twhom toe I]3\jc offentrcD* Sijou art our merciftil
jffafhcr, Irho hafl gibcn u^ thp ^on to reconcile u0
to Hw fclf . ir(]o hath ratifieri the i^eU) arettament
ant) cobenant of (!5^a.ce Uiitlihi^ mofl precious bl©n,
anD hat!) iniJitiitcD thijB' help Sacrament to be cele^
i32atr5 in memorial cf I)im, tili i)i0 coming* g^ancti:^
fv thefe tiw rreanire0 of ]l5;eaD anti Cttine, tofncfj
accrjning to tl)p CUiIT, h^e fet" apart to tl)i0 l)olp ufe,
that thep map te ^acr .mcntallp, tl)e BoDj) anD
ZSIoiD of tl)v ^on Ijefu^ (n:l}^iff/ 3lno t^^ougl) l)i0
Sacrifice anD Blnfrrrefrion^ gibe U0 the par Don of
an our fm0,;antJ he reconcileD to U0, ann nourid;
us l?p the botip ant) blootJ cf orh^ifi to c^berlalting
31ire* 3luD to t()-^t enD, gibe u0 tl)p quir kning fpi:;
rit to fljeto flrh^if? to our behebing fouls, that is Ijere
rep^ffenteti to our fe.nfej?* 31et him foften our
hearty, anD hinnhle us fo^ our fm«^ anti caufeus
to fODD on €i)^i(t bv 5faith ?Let him (TjeD ab^oati
thp tobe upon our heartxr, ann D^ite tljem on in lobe
to^tW^ anD fill usiniflj l^otp 3|op anD thanfefulnefs,
anD ferbent lobe to one another, let l]im comfort
us bp \joitm(hn% that ire are thp ChilD^'n, anD con:^
firm US foz nciu ij;beDieniT, anD be fl)e (EarneU of
our ^inheritance anDfeal us up to lifeorberlafiing',
tij^ough 3f;ffw5 (fl:l)^iff, our 51o^d anD ^abiour* Amen.

Let it be left to the Minifters difcretion. whether to
deliver the 3read and Wine to the Pe'^''ple (at the
Table) only ''iji Gcileral, ^ach <.nc inking it, and
Applying if to ThcirrefVcs'; or to deliver it iii
General to fo many as are in each particular form ;
or to put it into every perfons hand ; As alio at
what feafon to rake the Contiibiuion for the Poor.
And let nor.c of the people be forced to (ii,,. fland
or kneel in the Ad: of Receiving wbolV judgment
is againit it.

The

The Reforfffed Liturgy. 35

The Participation being ended, let the Minifter
pray thus, or to this Senfe.

Wa (!5loiion0 (Bor) , Ijoto toontjerful i0 tl)|? Rom. i. 4.
- poloer, anD biifoom tl}V igolinefe anDjluffiee^iCor-i- h-
tijv lobe am mercp in tln0 Inb^fe of our. Kenemption, ^p" \- *<^- ,
bp trie incarnation, ?life, JDeati). Kefurrection/ In^ ^H 4 Rom'
terceflion anD Dominion of ti}f ^on ! il^o potoer 5. 5. ASs4.11.
0^ (UlifDom in igeaben 0^ (Kart(), couin l)abe DelibereD i Pet. i. iz,
u0 but t\)m^ 3ri)e 4lngel0 nefire to p^v into tl)i0 Sl^p:^ Luke z. 13, 14.
0erp, tlje J^eabenlv igoS tio celeb^att^ it 'witl] p^ifejff, ^^v- ^ ^*» ^J-
faping, (JBloiv ^^^to (0oD in tl)e m^^^ •■> -^n ofartli ^^ '°; pc°?J',^'
peace . CB^cdD U^ill to)x»arD0 men* "iije tolple creation Mat. 18. 32*. 33'.
U)an proclaim thp ip^aife^, Bleffing Igonour, <0lo^pRev. 3. ir. &
anD Ipober be unto l)im tl)at fittetl) upon tlje Wij^oniy ^i •4. Rom. 8.
anD unto the 30.amb foz eber anD eter. Mio^tljj? 10 3^* 39.Hcb.10.
tije 5lamb that toa0 fiain to receive IPotoer, ^n^n^bgii^"^'
igonour, anD (25lo^j>, fo? h^ W() reDeemeD U0 to Eph. 4. 3 o.
dBioD b^ i}i0 bl(DD, anD maDe m iSing^, anD P^iefi0 Luke 7. 47.
unto our dB^oD* mljexe fin abounDeD, (!5^ace ijatl) Mat- 18. 33.
abounDen mucl; mo?e* 41hD Ijail tljou inoeeD foggi^ ' ^^J^" ^' ^^•
betiufi fo great a Debt, bp fo precious <» Kanfom^pili •^•j^*^'^'
^it tijou inDeeD gibe u^ foreign 'mtlj Clj^iff in Rom 6.' i,i.
(Silo^p, anD fee tl)V face, anD lobe thee, anD be be^: Coi. 3. z. Phil.
lobeD of t(}0& fo^ eber ^ !9ea, %op) tl)ou Ijall fo^gi^a 8, i9,zo,z.i.
ben U0, auD thou ioilt glb^ifie U0, fo^ tl}0u art faitl)^ }^^l hj- 10.
ful that hafi p^omifeD. ^itf) tlje bl©D of iljp ^on, ^^^{ {'il'j.,
kiitl) ti)e Sacrament, anD toith tl)]^ spirit, tljou^ cor. 5I1;.
h^U CeaitJ) up to 110 tliefe p^ecicuj^ p?omife0* 41nDEph.i."ii.
l])all b3e not lobe tl)0e, that i)aU tI)U0 lobeD miM^.s.ie.
^haH toe not Job'e tip. ^erbant^, anD fo^gibe our J ?or. i. iz,
^eigl}bour0 tlm tittle Debt ^ lifter all tlji^ fljaH ^^e^J^l' ,
again fo^fake tl)ee, anD Deal faldp in ti\p cobenant ^ , pet. /. gjio.

^eigl}bour0 tlwiv tittle Debt^ lifter all tlji^ fljaH toe[jj^jj-
again fo^fake tl)ee, anD Deal faldp in ti\p cobenant ^ , pei
(Sot) fo^biD: SD fet our affections on ttie €t)ingj8fEph. ^['n
abobe, b)l)ere <a:ii?itt fitteth at tl)p rigl}t IjanD , ^etRom. 16.10.
U!S no mo^e mtuD eartlilp 2ri)ing0, but tet.our con:: i Cor. 6. 20.
berfation be in l^eaben, from tol^ence toe ejcpect our
^abiour to come anD change U0 into tlje likeneCs of
l)i0 (Slorpv ITeach us to Do thp cjMiH, W (BcJ^, anD
to foHoto l}im, tol)0 is tlje 41uthor of eternal ^al^;
bation. to all them tljat Do obep Ijim* ^^Der our
Seps bp tl)p (HUo^D, anD let not anp iniquitp Ijabe
Dominion ober us* ?Let uei not Ijencefo^tl) libe unto
ourfelbes, but unto {)im tol)o DieD fo<z us anD rofc
again* jHet m l)abe no feUotoil^ip '^it'q tlie unfruit^^

ful

a 6 TSc Reformed Liturgy,

Rom. II. I. ful too^ of Darknef^, but rcp^obe tljem* 3lnD let
2 Tim. 2. ii . our ligtjt fo fijine before men, tijat tljep tnaj> glD^ifie
ivom.6.2i. tij^ ^„ ^impluitp, anD (5oD!?^ ©inceritp, atiD
not in jFlefljIp tuifoom, let uje^ tjalje our <a:on\)erfation
in t\\z tD02lD» ^ tl}at our tDai)0 toere fo tjirecteti
tt)at toe migl)t feeep tlip ^tatutVjff ' jThougl) featan
toill be Defirou0 again to (ift us, anu feek a0 a roar^
ing Lion to oebour, Hrengttien \X9 to llanu againli
Ijifif (Kiiile0, anD (bojtlp b^uiCe i)im unDer our feet*
' 2tccepr m, ^ ^ozD, tot)o refign our felbe^ unto

tt)fie, «0 tl)ine oton l anD boitl) our tl)anfej9f anD p?aife,
p^efent our felbc;5 a tibing ;S>acriftf e to be acceptable
tlj^ugt) Cti.ziH, ?afeful fo? tl)me Ipnour; 3i5emg
maDt free from fin, anD become tt)|> §oerbant0. let
U0 I)abe our fruit unto l^olinef^, anD tlje enD (^ttv^
faamg ^ife, tliyjugl) 31efu0 ^t\^ift our 3llo^D anD
^aljiour^ Ameri.

Next add thg, or fome fuch Exhortation^ if there
be Time,

DEar Brethren, wc have been here feafted with
the Son of God at his Table, upon his FJefh
and Blood, in preparation for rhe Feaft of Endiefs
Glory. You have feen here rcprefemed, what fin
defcrveth, what Chrift fuffered, what wonderful
Love the God of infinite Goodnefs hath expreffed
to us. You have had Communion with the Saints,
you have renewed your Covenant of Faith, and
thankful Obedience unco Chrift j You have received
his renewed Covenant of Pardon,' Grace and Glory
unto you. O carry hence the lively Senfe of thefc
great and excellent Things upon your Hearts : You
came not only to receive the Mercy of an hour only,
but that which may fpring up to endiefs Joy: You
came not only to do the Duty of an hour, but to
promife chat which \ ou muft perform while you live
on Earth. Remember daily, efpecially when Temp-
tations to unbelief, and finful heavinefs aflauit you,
what pledges of Love you here received ; Remem-
ber daily, efpecially when the Fielh, the Devil, or
the World, would draw your Hearts again from
God, and Temptations to fin arc laid before you ;
what bonds God and your own confent have laid up-
on

The Reformed Liturgy. 3 7

on you. If you are penitent Believers, ysu are
now forgiven, and wafhed in the Blood of Chrift.
O go your Way, and fin no more. No more
through wilfulnefs, and ftrive againft your fins of
wcaknefs. Wallow no more in the mire, and re-,
turn not to your vomit. Let the exceeding Love of
Chrift conftrain you, having fuch Promifes, to
cleanfeyourfelves from all filthinefs of Flefli and Spi-
rit, perfccfting Holinefs in the fear of God ; And as
ai chofen Generation, a Royal Priefthood, an Holy
Nation, a Peculiar People, to be Zealous of good
Works, and Jhew forth the Praifes of him that hath
called you .

Next fing part of the Hymn ia Meeter, or fome
other fit Pfalm of Praife (as the 13. 1 16. or 103.
or 100, ^c) And conclude with this or the like
Bleffing.

N

£D Ui t\)t <I5oti of ipeace, toljicb b^oug^e agairk
from t\]e tjeao our 3io^o 3!^im «:l)rill, tfjat
great ^f|epf)erD of t^z ^f)^^?, %ougl) tlie BIcdd of
t^e cberlaffing cftobenaut, mafte pou perfect in eber?
gaiD bpo^k, to Do t)t0 mSi. boo^king in pou tliat
tol)icl) \» toelL^pleafing in iifi fig^t, t^?ougI) 31efu0
^\)l\ilr to tDl)om he (Bioif fo^ eber anD eben
Amen.

The Celebration of the Sacrament of
Baftifm, *

LET no Minifter, that is therein unfatisfied, be
forced againft his Judgment, to baptize the
Child of open Atheifts, Idolaters, or Infidels, or
that are unbaptized themfelves, or of fuch as do not
competently underftand the Effentials of Chrift iani-
ty (what it is to be a Chriftian) and the Eifemials
of Baptifm, nor of fuch as never fince they were
baptized, did perfonally own their Baptifmal Cove-
nant, by a credible Profeflion of Faith and Obedi-
ence, received and approved by fome Paftor of the

Churchy

58 The Reformed Liturgy,

6

Church, as before Confirmation is required, and in
His Majeft>'s Declaration. Nor yet the Child of
Parents juftly excommunicate, or that live in any
notorious, fcandalous fin, or have lately committed
fuch a fin fas if the Child be gotten in Adultery or
Fornication) and being juftly convic^t of it, refufeth
penitently to confefsi it, and promifc Reformation.
But if either of the Parents be duly qualified, an4
prefent the Child to be baptized (or another for
them in cafe they cannot be prefent) the Child is to
be received uni^o Baptifm.

And if both the natural Parents are Infidels, Ex-
communicate, or otherwife unqualified, yet if any-
become the Pro-parents and owners of the Child,
and undertake to educate it in the Faith of Chrift,
and Fear of] God, an4 fo. prefent it to be Baptized :
Let it be done by a Minifter whofe judgment doth
approve it, but let no Minifter be forced to it againft
his judgment. Let the parents or owners come to
^the Minifter at fome convenient time the week be-
fore, and acquaint him when they intend to offer
their Child to Baptifm, and give an account of their
forefaid capacity, and receive his further Minifterial
afliftance for the fuller underftanding of the ufe and
benefits cf the Sacrament, and their own duty. The
Font is to be placed to the greateft conveniency of
the Minifter and People. The Child, or Children
being there prefented, the Minifter may begin with
this or the like Speech diredted to the Parent, or Pa-
rents (that prefentcth it.)

THat you may perform this fervice to God with
underftanding, you muft know, that God ha-
ving made Man in his own Image, to love and ferve
him, our firft Parents wilfully corrupted themfelves
by fin, and became the Children of Death, and the
Captives of Satan, who had overcome them by, his
Temptation : And as by one Man fin entred into the
World, and death by {\i\ fo death pafled upon all,
for that all have finned, and came (hort of the glory
of God. We arc conceived in fin, and are by Na-
ture children of wrath : For who. can bring a clean
Thing out of an unclean. By the offence of one^
Julgment cam.c iipo^;i all men to condemnation.
• ■ " • ■' ••• • ■ ■■ ' But:'

The Reformed LitHrgy, 5^

But the infinite Wifdom and Love of the Father
hath fenc his Son to be the Saviour of the World.
The Word was madeFlefh, and dwelt on earth, and
overcame the Devii and the World; fulfilled all
Righteoufnefs, and fuff'ered for our fins upon the
Crofs, and rofe again, and reigneth in Glory,
and will come again, and judge the World in
righteoufnefs. In him God hath made and offered to
the world a Covenant of Grace, and in it the
pardon of fin to all true penitent Believers, and
power to be the Sons of God and Heirs of Hea-
ven : This Covenant is extended to the feed alfo of
the Faithful, to give th'^m the benefits fuitabJe to
their Age, the Parents dedicating them unto God,
and entring them into the Covenant, and fo Go4 in
Chrift, will be their God, and number them with
his People.

This Covenant is to be folemnly entred into by
Baptifm (which is an holy Sacrament inftituied by
Chrift, in which a perfon profefling the Chriftiaii
Faith (or the Infant of fuchj is baptized in Water
into the Name of the Father, -Son, and Holy Ghoft,
in fignification and folemnization of the holy Cove-
nant, in which, as a penitent Believer, (or the Sttd.
of fiich) he giveth up himfeif (or is by the Parent
given up) to God the Father, Son, and Holy Gfaoft,
from henceforth (or from the time of natural capa-
city) to believe in, love and fear this blclfed Trinity,
againft the Flefll, the Devil and the World; and
this efpecially on the account of Redemption : And
is folemnly entred a Vilible Member of Chrift and
bis Church, a Child of God, and an Heir of Hea-
ven. How great now is the mercy, and how great
the duty that is before you ? Is it a fmall mercy for
this Child to be accepted into the Covenant of God,
and wafhed from its Original fin in the blood of
Chrift, which is (ignified and fealed by this Sacra-
mental wafhing in Water, to be accepted as a Ment-
ber of Chrift and of his Church, where he vouch-
fafeth his protection and provifion, and the means
and Spirit of Grace, and the renewed pardon of fin .
upon repentance, and for you to fee this happinefs of
your Child? The duty.on your part, is, firft to fee
that ycu are ftedfaft in the Faith and Covenant of

Chrift,

40 The Reformed Liturgy ,

Chrift, that you perifh not yourfelf, and that your
Child is indeed the Child of a Believer: And then
you are bclievingly and thankfully to dedicate your
Child to Godiy and to enter it into the Covenant
in which you ftand. And you muft know, that your
Faith and Confent, and Dedication will fufiice for
your Children no longer then till they come to age
themfelves, and then they muft own their Baptifmai
Covenant, and perlonaliy renew it, and confent, and
give up themfelves to God, or elfe they will not be
owned by Chrift. You muft therefore acquaint
them with the Dodirine of the Gofpel as they grow
up, and with the Covenant new made, and bring
them up in the fear of the Lord. And when they are
ad:uaijy penitent Believers, they muft prefent them-
felves to the Paftors of the Church, to be approved
and received into the Communion of the Adult Be-
lievers.

If the Pcrfons be before well irftrudked in the nature
of Baptifm, and Time require brevity, the Mini-
fter may omit the firft part of this Speech, and
begin at the defcription of Baptifm, or after it.
If there be need of fatisfying the People of the
duty of Baptizing Infants, the Minifter may here
do it ; otherwife let the Qiicftions here immedi-
ately follow.

The Minifter [hall here f^y to the Parent^ and the
Parent anfvfer m foSoxveth,

TT being the faithful and their Seed to whom the
-*• the Promifes are made; and no Man will fincere-
Jy dedicate his Child to that God that he believeth
not in himrdf ; I therefore require you to makePro-
fcflion of your own Faith.

Queft, Do ym believe in God tJje Father Almigk^
'7, &c.

j^nfw. All this I do unfeigned ly believe.

Queft. Do you recent of your fins, and renounce the
Fle/h, the Devil, and the PVorlH, and confent to the Co-
venant of Grace, giving up ynurfelf to God the Father^
Son and Holy Ghofl, oi your Creator tuid reconciled Fa--
fher^ your {{tdeemer and your Santlifler ?

Anfvp'.

The Reformed Liturgy, 41

Anfvo. I do.

[Or thus rather, if the Parent be fit to utter his
own Faith.]

Queft. Do you remain ft eadfaFt in the Covenant which
you made in Bapti/m yourfelf?

Anfvp, Repenting of my fins, I do renounce the
Flefli, the Devil, and rhe World, and I give up my
felf to God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft, my
Creator and reconciled Father, my Redeemer and my

San(^ifier.3

Queft. Do you frefent and dedicate this Child unto
Godi fobe Baptised into this Faitb^ and fulemnly enga'
ged in this Covenant unto God the Father^ Son^ and Holy
Ghoft, againft the Flefls^ the Devil, and thefVorld?

Anjvp. It is my defirc (or) 1 do prefenr, and de-
dicate him for this end.

Queft. Do you here folemnly promife, that if God con*
tinue it with you tiS it be capable of InftruHions, you will
faithfully endeavour to acquaint this Child with the Cove^
nant in which he was here by you engaged^ and to inftruB
and exhort him to perform this Covenant, as ever he
lookj for the blefpngs of it, or to efcape the eurfes and
wrath of God ; that is, that he renounce the Flejfh, the
fVorld, and the Devil, and live not after them : And
that he believe in this One God, in Three perfons, the
Father, Son and Holy Gboil, his Creator, B^deemer and
SanBifier, That he refign himfelf to him as his abfolute
Owner, and obey him as his Supream Govemour, and
love him as his mo!f gracious Father, hoping to enjoy him
as his Felicity in endlefs Glory ?

Anfw, I will faithfully endeavour it.

Queft. Will you to this end faithfully endeavour to
caufe him to learn the Articles of the Chriftian Faith,
the Lords Prayer, and the ten Commandments, and to
read, or hear the holy Scriptures, and to attend en the
publick. Preaching of Gods Word ? Will you endeavour
by your own Teaching, and Example^ and l{eftraint, to
keep him from Wicl^edneft, and train him up in a holy
Life ?

Anfw^ I wilUaitbfttlly endeavour it by the help of
Goda

Then

42r The Reformed Liturgy,

Then let the Minifter pray thus, or to this Sciife.

Rom. ^ u. y^ Gi^ott merciful ;f artier, b^ tl)e firU Admi fin
Eph. 2.^ Jjn. ^^ cntrcD into ti]e too^D, ano Deatl) bp fia, anD
'■ \^c' \ihl\- ^^ ^^^ ^^ ^1^ nature ctiilD^en of In^ath ^ but ti)Ou
Heb 9 x6 ft^ff yibcn t[)f onip ^on to be t[)t feeD of tl;e icio^
RcT. I. If. tnan, t[)z ^abiour of the ^HloglD, tl)e cftaptairi of ouc
Rom. f. lo. ^altiation, to T^iit atuap fm hv tl)e facrifice of ijimfelf,
Tit. ?. ^ ^0^- ann to luafi) U0 in !]i0 blcoDi anu reconcile ub unto

10 Gen. 1*7. ^i."^^"^ ^3^^" ""^^^ onr feet : 3n him thou hatt
lo', II. Eiek. cftabliiljCD ttje (zrobenant of C^A^tce, auD haft appoints
20. 57. Rom. 6. eD thiB holf Sacrament of I5aptifm fo^ our folemrt
3, 4. Tit. 3. 5- dntrancT into tf)e Bontije? of tl)e cirotenant, ant) fta:^
r rf^;7^Rom ^"S "^ "^ ^*^^ Bleffina0 of it, toljich rt)Ou ejttenDeH
9 8 Aa's 2. ?9.* fo fi)^ faitl)ful anD their feeu. mz neuicate ano offer
Matth. zi. 37. tfji^ <a^hilo to t()ee, to bereceiben into tt)p cjto^jenant
Deut.?o.io,ii. anti cijurc!)* <iflie befeeci) ttjee to accept Ijiui a^ a
iz. Mat.io.n,^etnber of tijp ^on, auD tx^dSi) l)im in \)\ii Mmw
\t' ,\ Rev ^' from tlje fiuat of ^in, ^0 tl)e jflefl) i0 toalfteu bp
^'Wh f. 16. ^^^^^ toater^ ^e reconcileD to l)im, anD tafee i)im fo)i
Job II. '51. ' tljy c(i;!)ilD, reneto I)im to tlje Jimage of tlip ^on,
Hcb.2. 13. Eph. make I)im a feHoto (S^itmn toitlj tlje ^aintjsf, anD one
z. 19. & J. 1^ of tiw I^ouOjolD. ip^otect l)im anD p^biDc fo? i)im
^ I PeJ'c^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^"' ^^"^ finaUv p^eferbe him to thp igeaben^
li'im A.ii ' '^^ ifiinsDom, th^ougl) 3|efu0 Clj^itt our 3fl.o^D anD §>a^

biOUr^ Amen.

Therl the Minifter (hall aflc of the Parent the Name
of the Child to be Baptized, arid naming him,
fhall either dip him under the Water, or elfe pour
Water upon his Face, if he cannot be fafely or
conveniently dipt, and fhall ufe thefe Words with-
out Alteration.

3f| 3i5apti?e tl;ee in the iliame of the jfatljer, anD
of tlje ^on, anD of the igolp Oljoft*

And he (hall thus Declare.

*TPHis Child is now receiv'd by Ghrift's appointment

-^ into his Church, and folemnly entrcd into the

holy Covenant, and engaged, if he lives to the ufc

of Rcafon, to rife with Chrill to newnefs of life, as

- being buried with him by Baptilm, and to bear his

Crofs,

The Reformed LHnrgy, ^^

Crofs, and confefs Chrift crucified, and faithfully
to fight under his Banner againft the Flelh, the De-
vil^ and the World, and to continue his faithful
Souldier and Servant to the death, that he may re-
ceive the Crown of Life.

Then he fhall give Thanks and Pray.

Wc tlmk tljet, moff merciful ifatljtr, tl)at iuIjmRom. s- 12,18.
toe fjatj broken tl)p Jlaix), anti loere conriemneD Gai. m 5.
h^it, thou hair gibeu U0 a ^abiour, ann life in Ijim, I j.^^- ^-^i-
auD fjaU ejrtenneD thF orobenant of (!5pce to 3i5elieb^ ^%^' }^-
er0, auDto^tljeir faeD, antJ haf! noto reeeibeo thi^,, phr;"!
ta:hil^ into tip eobenant ann (Sljurclj, a^ a '^zvahtx^. z Cor.' 8.5.
of ch^id bp t\)\0 Sacrament of iRegeneration^ ?aie Waim i ly. 94..
befeech t^ee, let Ijim groto up in l^oiinef^ ; anu toljen ^p^- /• h-
I)e come0 to ^twc}& of oifcretion, let tlm spirit X2^ Matrh iz. 37.
beal unto him tlje mp^erie^ of tl)e (25ofpeI, ann tl)e . ^ l^^ „ ^°*
riclje^of tl)p lobe in lefujer cl^^iS^ auD caufe him to& 30. pfai iV.
reneio ano perform tije cobenant ti)at he l)ath noU) ^. sc 27. 4-
matJe, auD to refign himfelf, anD an tijat I}e ^^tXyJ^^-i-^^Tiz,
entirely unto t\)'^ l)i0 3lo^D, to be fubject ano obenir^ ^-{^ J'<\\
mt to :^i)C^ Uvs C5obernour, auD.to lobe tljx Iji^ iFa^oii 5 u Mat!
tl)Ci irith all Ijisi l^eart, anti fcul, ano might, ant? 6. 1's.'pfai. 81!
aoijere unto tliee, anD Delight in tijee a0 tljt 3do^tidn li. J^m. 1. 14.
of hi^f^ouf, Defiring ant) hoping to en|op'tl)ee in L^^^e 1.71.
eberlaffing (3io:iv* ^abe him from tl}e ^uUs; ano ^ j 2^\'°; *
4!Ilurement0 of the ifiefl;, the SITemptations of the 1 cor* 6 14.
JDebil, ano the bait^ of the pleafure, profit anD 1)0:^ i Pet.i.'i.
nour of t(je Mfo^lD, anD from all tlje corruptions of j-h. 9. 31-
ijvs oten Ijeart, anD all tl)e hurtful biolence of l)ij8f ^^Jj- 9- 2.3.
Of nemiei8f> iaeep tjim in communion Mti) ti}e faints:, ^^°- ^- ^ °'
in tlje lobe anD ufe of tfjp (KHo^d anD aiorlI;ip. %et ^^^^' ^' ^
him Denv Ijimfelf, anD tafee up Ijis mot0 anD foUobii
dj^ia the ocaptain of l)i0 l^albation, anD be faith^
ful unto the Death, anD tfjenreceibetljectrotonoflife,
th^ouglj 3|eru0 €1)^10. our ^abiour,.

Then u/e this Exhortation or the lil^eto the Parents.

YOU that have devoted this Child to God, and
engaged it in Covenant to him, muft be thank-
ful for fo great a mercy to the Child, and muft
be faithful in performing what you have promifed
on your parts, in inttrudling and educating this

D d d Chili

4^. The Kefornted Liturgy,

Child in the Faith and fear of God, that he may
own and perform the Covenant now made, and
receive all the bleffings which God hath proniiifed.-^
Hear what God hath made your Duty, Eph, 6. 4.
Fathers provoke not your Children to v/rath, but
bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord. Prov. 22. 6. Train up a Child in the Way he
Ihould go, and when he is old he will not depart
from it, ?rov, 29. 15. The Rod and Reproof give
Wifdom, but a Child left to himfelf bringeth his
Mother to fhame. Deut, 6. 5, 6, 7. Thou Ihalt
love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart, and with
all thy Sou], and with all thy might ; and thefe
"Words which I command thee this Day, ihall be in
thy Heart, and thou flialt teach them diligently un-
to thy Children, and thou (halt talk of them when
thou fitteft in the Houfe, and when thou walkeft by
the Way, and when thou lieft down, and when
thou rifeft up. Jofhutt faith, Jofh. 24. i «5. As for
me and my Houfe we will ferve the Lord. And
Paul faith of Timothy^ 2 Tim. 3. 15. From a Child
thou haft known the holy Scriptures, which are able
to make thee wife unto Salvation, through Faith
which is in Chrift Jefus.

Then [ay to the People thus, or to this Senfi,

YOU have heard Beloved, how great a dignity
we were advanced to in our Batifm, to how
great Duty we are all engaged. O fearch and try,
whether you have kept or broken the Covenant
which you made, and have lived according to the
dignity of your Calling. And if any of you be
Atheifts, Unbelievers, or Ungodly, and love not
God above all, and neglect: Chrift and his Salvation,
and are yet unfandtified, and live after the FJelh,
the Devil, and the World, which you here renoun-
ced ; as you love your Soul?, bewail your perfidious
Covenant-breaking with God. Truft not the Wa-
ter of Baptifm alone : If you are not born again of
the Spirit alfo, you cannot enter into the Kingdom
of God, Joh.-^. 5, 6. Baptifm will not fave you,
if you have not the anfwer of a good Confcience
unto God, I Pet, 3. 21. If any M^i have not the

Spiril

The Reformed Liturgy, 45

Spirit of Chrift, che fame is none of his, I{pm. 8. 9.
Much lefs thofe wretches that hate Sandtification,
and defpife and fcorn a holy Life, when they were
by Baptifna engaged to the Holy Ghoft the Sanai-
fier ; Can^you thyik to be faved by the Covenant,
which you keep not ? O no ! Your perfidicufnels
aggravateth your Sin and Mifery. Ecclef. 5. 4, 5.
When thou vovvcft a vow to God, defer not to pay it,
for he hath no pleafure in Fools: Pay that which thou
haft vowed; better it is that thou fliouldeft not vow,than
,ihat thou (houideft vow and not pay. O blefs the Lord,
that it is a Covenant of fuch Grace which is tendred to
you. That upon true Repentance and Converfion,
even your Covenant-breaking (hall be forgiven j And
therefore penitently caft down yourfelves before the
Lord, and believingly caft yourfelves oi\ Chrift,
and yield to the teachings, and fanc^ifying Opera-
lions of the Holy Ghoft. Yet know the Day of
your Viiitation, and forfake the Flefli, the Devil,
and the World, and turn to God with all your
Hearts, and give up yourfelves intirely to your Cre-
ator, Redeemer, and Sandtifier, and he will have
Mercy upon you, and will abundantly pardon you.
But if you ftili live after the Flefli, you fhall die:
And if you continue to negle(-it this great Salvation,
there remaineth no more Sacrifice for Sin, but a cer-
tain fearful looking for of Judgment, and Fire^
which ihall devour ^e Adverlaries.

Let no Children be privately baptized, rior any
Minifter forced to baptize them any where, befides
in the Publick Alfemblyj unlefs upon fome fpecial
weighty Caufe. If there be occafion for baptizing
the Adult, let the Minifter accordingly fuit his Ex;
prefiRons.

Ddd 2 Of

46 The Reformed Liturgy.

Of Catechizing^ and the Affrohation of
thofe that are to be admitted to the

Lord's Supper. o

SEeing none can be faved at Years of difcretion,
that do not adtually believe, and perfonally give
up themfelves in Covenant to God the Father, Son,
and Holy Ghoft ; Therefore as Parents muft do their
Parts, fo Minifters muft Catechize the Ignorant,
and diligently labour to caufe thena both to learn the
Form of wholefome Words (even the Lords Prayer,
and the ten Commandments, and fome brief, yet
full and found Catechifm) and to underftand the
meaning of them, and to engage their Hearts into
the love of God, and a holy Obedience to his Laws.

To this end, let the Minifter either every Lords
Day, before the Evening Prayers, or at fome con-
venient Hour, or on fome other Day of the Week,
as oft as he can, examine publickly fuch as are not
admitted to the Lords Supper, and take an account
of their Learning, and underftanding the Creed,
the ten Commandments, the Lords Prayer, and the
Catechifm. And let him by queftioning and ex-
plication, help them to underftand them ; And let
fuch of the feveral Families of the Parilh come in
their turns, when they are called by the Minifter to
be thus Catechized. Alfo let the Minifter either go
to their Houfes, or rather appoint the Perfons afore-
faid in their courfes at a certain Hour and Place (in
the Church or any other fit Place) to come to him
for perfonal InftrUcStions, where he may confer with
thofe that are unmeet to be catechized Publickly, or
unwilling to fubmit to it, and there with humble,
prudent, ferious Inftrudiion and Exhortation, let
him endeavour to acquaint them with the fubftance
of Chriftian Faith and Duty, and to help them to
make fure their Calling and Eledion, and to pre-
pare for Death and Judgment, and exhort them to
love, and to good works, and warn them leaft they
be hardened through the deceitfulnefs of Sin. But
let him not in publick or private meddle with

Im-

The Reformed Liturgy, 47

Impertinencies, or fpend the Time about fmaller
Matters, or fingular Opinions, nor fift People to
know Things unfit, or unneceflary to be difclofed,
nor meddle with Matters that do not concern him,
as a Minifter, to enquire after ; But heJp them to
leatn, and underftand, and pradice the Chriftian
Religion cxprelTed in the Catechifm.

L

Hhe Catechifm,

E T none be admitted by the Minifter to the ^^ ^he Ru^
Sacrament of the Lords Supper, till they bave^^^'m/'^an^''''"
at Years of difcretion underftood the meaning of Confirmation
their Bapcifnnial Covenant,and with their own Mouths, in theCommon
and their own confent openly before the Church, ^''^vf^^^"^^',*
ratified and confirmed, and alfo promifed, that by the declaration ^ ^
Grace of God, they will evermore endeavour them- concerning Ec-
felves faithfully to obferve and keep fuch Things as clefiafiical Af-
by their Mouth and Confeflion they have afTented ^^^^
to ; And fo being inftruc^ed in the Chriftian Religi-
on, do openly make a credible Profeffion of their
own Faith, arid promife to be obedient to the Will
of God.

A ProfeHion is credible, when it is made under-
ftandingly, ferioufly, voluntarily, deliberately, and
not nullified by contradiction in Word or Deed.
And that Profeflion is incredible, that is made igno-
rantly, ludicroufly, forcedly, ralhly, or chat is nul-
lified by verbal or praiftical contradidliop. And it
mufl be practice firft, that muft make Words credi-
ble, when the Perfon by perfidiournefs hath forfeit-
ed his Credit. It is not private Perfons only, but
the Paflors of the Church that mufl approve of this
Profeffion. Therefore befote any are admitted to
the Lords Supper, they fhall give a good account of
their Knowledge, Faith, and Chriftian Converfation
conformable thereunto, unto the Paftors of their re-
fpedive Congregations, or el fe fhall produce a Cer-
tificate, that they have been approved or admitted
to the Lords Supper in another Congregation, of
which they were Members, and that by an al-
lowed Minifter , upon fuch approved Profeflion as
aforefkid.

Ddd 3 If

^8 The Reformed Liturgy.

If the Pcrfon be able and willing, let him before
the Congregation give the foreiaid account at large
of his Knowledge, Faith and Obedience: But if
through backwardnefs, or difability for publick
Speech, he lliall refufe it, Ice him make the fame
ProfelTion privately to the Minifter, and own it in
the AlTcmbly, when the Minii^er fliali declare it,
and ask him whether he owns it; But unlefs it be in
cafe of fome extraordinary natural Im per fe61i on, and
difability of utterance. Jet him at Jeaft openly recite
th€ Creed, and profeis his confent to the Covenant
with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft.

Let the Minifter of every Parifti keep a double
Regifter ; one of the Names of all that are there
baptized, another of the Names of all that are ap^
proved upon their forefaid credible Profeflion, and
fo admitted into the number of Communicants, or
that have a certificate of fuch Approbation, regular-
ly, elfewhere performed.

And if Confirmation be continued, let His Maje-
fty's Declaration be obfcrved, requiring [[That Con-
firmation be rightly and folemnly performed, by the
Information, and with the confent of the Minifter
of the Place.]

Let no Minifter be inforced to admit any himfelf
to the Lords Supper, who hath been clancuJarly and
irregularly approved.

Thofe that after this Approbation, prove fcanda-
lous offenders, fhall not by the Minifter be fuffered
to partake of the Lords Table, until they have open-
ly declared themfelves to have truly repented^ and
amended their former naughty lives.

Of the Celebration of Matrimony.

BEforc the Solemnizing of Marriage between any
Perfons, their porpoie of Marriage fhall be pubi-
lilhed by the Minifter, three feveraJ Lords days in
the Congregation, at the Place or Places of their
moft ufuai Abode refpediively. And of this Publi-
^^tion, tl^e Miniflcc who is to joyn them in Marriage,

Ml

The Reformed Liturgy. 49

fhall have fufficient Teftimofiy, before he proceed
to folemnize the Marriage; the Parents confent being
firft fulficiently made known.

Ac the CeJebration, the Minifter (hall cither by a
Sermon, or other Exhortation, open to them the In-
ftitution, Ends, and Ufe of Marriage, with the con-
jugal Duties which they are faithfully to perform to
each -Other. And then (hall demand of them whe-
ther it be their defire and purpofc to be joyned to-
gether in the Bond of the Marriage-Covenant, and
if they anfwer affirmatively, he (hall fay to them.

I reqtiire and charge you, as you will anfwer at
the dreadful Day of Judgment f when the fecrets of
all Hearts (hall be difclofed) that if either of you
do know any Impediment by Prccontradl or other-
wife, why you may not lawfully be joyned together
in Marriage, you difcover it, and proceed not.

If no Impediment be difcovered by them or others^
he (hall proceed to Pray.

M^Q merciful jfatfjer, hrfjo Ijaff o^tiameD ^ar^: Gen. 1. 18. &i.
riage fo? mutual Ijeip anD fo? Uje increafe of ^^- Mai. 2. i^
mankinD \x)it^ a legitimate Wnty anD of tlje (XT^urclj l,^^^- 7. 14. 9.
toith a igolp feeu, anD fo^ p^ebention of uncleannef^ j p,;^ ^^'^'
mt(0 tlip oton ^^Dinance to tl^efe perfon^, tijat eti^ Eph /"z-" &d
tring tl)i0 Sate of ^parriage in tl)p fear, tfjep map Mai.' z*. t7, iS-
tt)tve intirelp Debote tljemfelte unto tljae, anD beP^ai.i^? ?.
faitijful in all conmgal Wettiong anD Dutiejar unto,^'f-^9.i3»i4.
eaclj otljer, [anD if t^ou biet0 ^m \xiitt) €t)HDm^v^^k\^^']t''^'
, ■, ^ ^ . let tljem be DeboteD untop?o\o;
u r 'J Ri r""K^' " """t ^^^^ ^^^ accepteD asi tljint Eph. 6.' 4.

belaid, Blefs them with ^L,^ ^»-„ uiJr^>, iJi*^ *i.« ti\. . -
Children, and let them be *^^"' ^^^^ ^^i^^\ ^^^^ [W ' p-^- '; '•/'

devoted, &c. Qxact, auD eDUfateD m tt)p' Tim. 3.11.

fear^ S)ubDue tljofe co^rup^^f/'^^'^'^- .
tion0 tljat tooulD make tijein libejS^ unl)Olp 0^ uncom;:; Gei^i iV
fo^table, auDDeliber tljemfrom temptations toim^p.o ">/i8.'*
p;etp, too^lDlinefjB^, unquietnefs, Difcontent 0^ Dit^ ^tb iq. z6.
affection to eacf) otljer, 0^ to anp unfaitl)fulner0 to 9' ' "^ ^^*
U)ee 0^ to eael) otljer ■-, make tl)em mert Iielp^ to tad) p ^ * • '^°'
otijer in tlj^ fear, anD in ti)t latoful manage mrnt of '^ [^ \ •/ 1'
tlje 41ffairj^ nf fi)i$ ©ho^IDv Jlet tljem mt limDer,joh.i7.i.l"
but p^obofee one anotlier to ?lobe znh to ^mVi ^x^lS;
anD fo^efws ft^ ^^V ^^ ^^^^^' feparaticn bp Dcatl),

JD D D 4 • let;

50 Ihc Reformed Liturgy.

let tl)cm fpeiiU tlicir IDapjsf in an l)oIv Ip^epara^:
tion, anD libc Ijcre togetl)er a^ tl)e igeir^ of life
tl)at mud riloice at tl)c great ti^arriage tiap of tlie
Jlamb- aiitJ libe fo; eber ijoiti) ^I),2ili ann all tl)e fjo^
Ip lnael0 anD ^aintis^ in tl)e F^f f^nce of tljp gto^p*
Amen.

The Woman if (he be under Parents or Gover-
nours, being by one of them, or fome deputed by
them, given to be married, the Man with his Righc
hand ihalL take the Woman by the Right hand and
iTiall fay,

31. 41. no take t\)tt B* to be my S^arrieD lOiife, anD
no p^omite anD ccobenant in tl)e p^efence of c3on, ano
fcefo,2e tlii0 (Congregation, to be a lobing ann faitl)ful
Jgu^bann to tl)a^» txVi (^on fijall feparate \xsi bp
neatlj^

Then the Woman fhall take the Man by the Righc
hand, with her Right hand, and fay,

3I» ^* no take tI)o^ X to be tnp s^arrieD \^^ii!S^
bann, ann 3fl no p^otnife ann (irobmant in tl^t p^e^
feme of ^on, ann before tl)i0 congregation, to be
a lobing, obeDieiit, ann faitliful (KLiife unto tlj(t, tin
(2i3oD fljdU feparate \x$ bp ncatlj*

Then let the Minifter fay,

2:i)Cfe tttio iderfon^ 41. ann 315. being latofuITp
marnen acro^ning to (I3on0 €>?ninance, 31 no p^o^
mmvs tljem ir^u0banD ann c^aiire. 4]un tljofe U^Ijom
(25on f)atl) con omen, let nodpan put afunner.

Next he may read the Duty of Husbands and
Wives out of Ephef. 5. 2. Col. 4. i. i Pet. 3. and
PAivi 118. or fome other pertinent Pfalm may be
faid or I'ung : And let the Minifter exhort them to
their fevcral Duties, and then Pray :

On. i8. ?. \yf^^ merciful jfatfjer, let tljv ISlerfingfi: re0
Ti'.i.i5. AVI upon tljefe iperfon^, nolo jopnen in latoful
I Tim. 4. y. c^arriage, ^anctifie tljcm ann their ar^nberfatienjer,
'1 -ihlfTii' -^^^^"^ Jfawilpi (BQ^m. ann Aifftiir^ uuto thp (Bio;y,

The Refornted Liturgy, 5 1

jFurnift ti)m \x^iti) lobe to tlj^e anD to eacl) otI)er,Eph. 5. 15.
toitl) m^kneft^, patience anD contentennef^*!^'f_5.2i.
3let tljem not lite unto tl>e jfleU), but unto tijeggi.i.g. ' '^'
spirit, tljat of tlie Spirit tl)ep map reap eberlaCing
5(Life, tl)gougl) 31efu^ (a:l)?ifi our %m ^"^ ^abiour^
Amen.

Then let him conclude with a Benediaion.

G€)3D 41ImigI}tp, tl)e creator meneemer anD
^anctifier, ftlef^ pou in pour ^oul0 anD 150^
iJiejer, j?amilp anD atffair^, anb p^eferbe pou to iji^
ijeabenip BingDom* Amen.

The Vijltation of the Sick.^ and their
Communion.

THE Vifitation of the Sick being a private
Duty, and no part of the Publick Liturgy of
the Church, and the cafe of the Sick being fo exr
ceeding various, as to Soul and Body ; and it being
' requifite that Minifters be able to fuit their Exhorta-
tions and Prayers to the condition of the Sick, let the
Words of fuch Exhortations and Prayers be left to
their Prudence.

So urgent is the neceility of the fick, and fo fea-
fonable and advantageous the opportunity, that Mi-
nifters may not negligently over-pafs them, but in
love and tendernefs inftrudt them according to their
feveral Conditions ; endeavouring the Converfion of
the ungodly, the ftrengthning of the weak, and
comforting fuch as need Confolation, direding
them how to improve their Affli£tions, and helping
them to be fenfible of the evil of Sin, the negligen-
ces and mifcarriages of their Lives, the vanity of
the World, their neceHity of a Saviour, the fuffici-
ency of Chrift, the certainty and excellency of the
Everlafting Glpry ;. Exhorting them to Repentance
and to Faith in Chrift, and to fet their AfFe^ions
on the Things above; And ^f they are penitent
Believers) comforubly to hope for ihe Kingdom

wbi^h

52 The Reformed Liturgy.

which God hath promifed to them that love him,
committing their Souls to their Redeemer, and
quietly refting in the will, and love, and promifes
of God ; Refolving if God (hall recover them to
health, to redeem the Time, and live the reft of
their Lives unto his Glory. And being willing, if
it be their appointed Time, to depart and be with
Chrift : And they muft be exhorted to forgive fuch
as have wronged them, and to be reconciled to thofe
with whom they have been at variance, and to make
a pious, juft, and charitable difpofal of their World-
ly Eftates.

The Order for Solemnizing the Buriai
of the Dead,

IT is agreeable to Nature andReligion,that theBurial
of Chilians be folemnly and decently performed.
As to the Cafes; Whether theCorps fhall be carried firft
into the Church, that is to be buried in the Church-
yard ; And whether it (hall be buried before the Ser-
mon, Reading, or Prayer, or after, or in the midlt
of the reading, or whether any Prayer (hall be made
at the Grave, for the Living; Let no Chrif^ians un-
charitably judge one another about thefe Things.
Lee no People keep up groundkfs ufages, that being
fupicious, grieve their Minifter and offend their
Brethren. Let no Minifter that fcrupleth the fatis-
fying of Peoples ungrounded delires in fuch Things;
be forced to do it againft his Confcience; and lee
Miniiterf that do ufe any of thefe Cuftoms or Cere-
monies, have liberty, when they fufpedl that the
People delire them upon fome Error, to profcfs
againft that Error, and teach the People better.

Whether the Minifter come with the Company
that brings the Corps from the Houfe, or whether
he meet them, or receive them at the burial Place,
is to be left to his own dilcretion. But while he is
with them, let him gravely difcourfe of Mans Mor-
tality, and the ufefal Truths and Duties thence to
be inferred : And either at the Grave, or in the

Read-

The Refornted Liturgy. 5 5

Reading Place, or Pulpit, by way of Sermon, ac-
cording to his difcretion. Let him (at leaft if it be
defired) inftrudk and exhort the People concerning
death, and the life to come, and their neceflary pre-
paration ; feeing the fpei^acle of Mortality, and the
feafon of Mourning, do tend to prepare Men for a
fober confiderate entertainment of fuch Inftrudtions :
And he may read fuch Scriptures as may mind them
of Death , Refurredtion , and Eternal Life, as
I Cor, 15. or from verfe 10, to the end, And Jobi^
21. G? 19. 25, 26, 27. John 11.25, 2^. ^ 5. 28, 29.
And his Prayer Ihali be fuited to the occaiion.

whenever the Rain, Snow, or Coldnefs of the
feafon, make it unheahhful to the Minifter or People
to ftand out of Doors, at leaft then let the Read-
ing, fixhoitafeton, and Pravers, be ufed within the
Church.

Of Extraordinary Days of HumiUatiotty
and Hhank^giving^ and Anniverfary
, Fejiivals,

WHEN great afflicftions lye upon the Church,
or any fpecial part or Members of it, or when
any great Sins have been Committed among them,
it is meet that in Publick, by fafting and prayer,
we humble our felves before the Lord, for the avert-
ing of his difpleafure; and on fuch occadons it is
the Paftors duty to confefs his own, and the Peoples
(ins, with Penitence, and tendernefs of heart, and
by his Doctrine and Exhortation, to Endeavour
effe(3;ually to bring the People to the fight and fenfe
of their Sin, and the deferts of it, and to a firm Re-
folucion of better obedience for the time to come,
being importunate with God in Prayer for pardon
and renewed Grace.

Upon the receipt of great and extraordinary Mer-
cies, the Church (having opportunity) is to Aflembk
for publick Thankfgiving unto God, and the Mini-
ver to ftir up the People to a lively fenfe of the?

great-

54 The Reformed Liturgy,

grcatnefs of thofe Mercies, and joyfully to Cele-
brate the praifes of God, the Author of them.
And it is not un neet on thefe Days to exprefs our
joying in Feafting and outward figns of Mirth, pro-
vided they be ufrd moderately, fpiiitually, and in-
oft'en lively, and not to gratifie our fenfuai defires,
and chat we relieve the poor in their necelfities
(which alfo on days of Humiliation and other Sea-
fons, we muft not forget.) The occalions of fuch
days of Humiliation and Thankfgiving bein^ fo va-
rious, as cannot be well fuited by any (landing
Forms, the Minifler is to apply himfelftothe re-
fpedkive Duties, fuitable to the particular occalions.

Though it be not unlawful or unmeet to keep An-
niverfary Commemoration by Feftivals, of fome
great And notable Mercies to the Church or State,
the memory whereof fhould be tranfmitted to pofte-
rity ; nor to give any Perfons their due Honour who
have been the Inftruments thereof: Yet becaufe the
Feftivals of the Churches l^iftitution now obferved,
are much abufed, and many fober Godly Perfons,
Minifters, and others, are unfatisfied of the Law-
f ulnefs of the Celebrating them as Holidays, let the
abufe be reftrained; and let not the Religious ob-
fervation of thofe Days by publick Worlhip, be for-
ced upon any that are thus unfatisfied, provided
ihey forbear all oftcnfive behaviour thereupon.

Of Prayer and Thdnl{sgJV7rjg for Parti-
chlar Members of the Chnrch*

B Elides the Petitions that are put up for all in
fuch diftreffes, in the General Prayer, it is meet
that Perfons in dangerous ficknefs, or other great
afflidion of Body or Mind; and Women that are
near the Time of Child-bearing, when they defire
it, Ihall be particulaiy recommended to God in the
Publick Prayers of the Church. Becaufe all the
Members confticute one Body, and muft have the
fame Care one for another, as futfering all with one
ihac fuffeieth, and rejoicing all with one that is ho*

noured.

The Reformed Liturgy. 55

noured: And the effed:ual fervent Prayer of the
Righteous, efpecially of the whole Congregation,
availeth much with Caod. But becaufe difeales, di-
ftrcfles, and grief of Mind, are fo various that no
Forms that are Particular can fuit them all ; And be-
caufe every Minifter fhould be able to fuit his Pray-
ers to fuch various Neceflities of the People: We
defire-, that it may be left to his difcretion to pray
for fuch according to their feverai Cafes, before or
after Sermon. But we deiire that except in cafe of
fudden neceflity, they may fend in their Bills of Re-
queft to him, the night before, that he may confider
of their Cafes, and may publilh only fuch, and in
fuch Expreflions, as in prudence he ihall judge meet
for the Ears of the Aflembly.

In the more ordinary Cafes of Perfons in ficknefs,
danger, and diftrefs, and that are delivered from
them J thefe following Prayers may be ufed, or fuch
like.

A Prayer for the Sick, that is in hopes of Recovery.'

\4'5Dtt merciful jfatljer, arijoiigi) our ^m Dotfj Num. 31.2 V
^^ finD m out, anD toe are jufilp affiitteD fo,: our i ukc Z3. 41.
2Erranfgreff!on0, pet are toe not confumeo in t\)i^ Lom. 5. zx,
to^atl); h\xt tlpu punilljefi m tef0 t\)m our 3|ni:= ^^'^ ^- '5-
quitted Do Defertie; tlpujjl) tt)ou caufei! (25^ief, ^^et
toi4t tl)0u f)abe cotnpaffton acco^oing to tl)e tnulti^Lam. 3. r.3?.
tixu of t\)v mercieje^, fo^ tl)0u 008 not toiDinglp
afflict anD gfiebe tI)ec(i:|)ilD^en of men: €l)ou rebibeS ifa. y;. ly, i<;,
tl)e fpirit of tl)e Ijumble, anD the heart of the con^ 17.
trite ones^, fo^ tljou toilt not contenD foj eber, neither Pf^i- ^s- 1 8.
toilt tljou be altoap^ to^otl), fo^ the fpirit tooulD fait *
before tlj0^, anD tl)e a^oul tol)icii tI)ou f^aC maDe*
Hl(Bk Doton in tenDer mercp on t\)Z affliction of t^,is s^ 6. i.
tl)p ^erbant ; SD JLo^D, rebuke him not in tljp^ 38.5?.
to^atl); neitljgr ci^Qtn him in thP hot Difpleafure* .
41U l)isi Defire i$ before thoe, anD hi<s^ groaning iis sc g. 2, 3, 5-.
not I^iD from tfjee ; l^abe mercp u^on fjim, ^ ^o^D,
fo^ l)e is toeafe* ^ ^o^D heal him, totiofe 3i5nne0 & 7 s. ^9.
anD ^oul isi bejueD* 3in JDeatI) tliere 10 no remern*
b^ance of thoe, 31n the C^^abe Uiho (Tjal! gibe t\)^
tl)an&0 i JSemember that toe are tut fielli, a ^luiD job 1 5. 25.
t\)^t paCTetl) atoap anD cometlj not again: toilt thou
b^eaft a leaf D^iben to auD fro, ana toilt tijoupur^

fue

56 The Reformed Liturgy.

rial. If. 7»»8fue the D;it> (fubble f Kemembcr not tlje Jlmquitie^

f . '*?• ^^^ ^*^- of W Jioutli, o^J l)i0 tranfgrfffio?iB : Icnk upon l)i8f

Pfiu'i^ i7f. -^f^iLtion, ano I)i0 pain, anD fo^gibe aU t)t6 fins*

Luke 4 39. 2ri)0Ugl) tlje fogrole0 of JDeatl) Do Lompafef liim about,

ifa. ^8.11. Pf3'.])et if it be fo<z tl)v qIo^v auD [)\si ga)- , recober t)imj

j-o. .5. jubio.2. ^xiX\ \n I)im liUe antJ p^alfe tl)p /jiame. Hebuke \)\f$

1 lai. 1 5 V- 1 5- Ccbner0, Direct unto fuel) mean0 a0 tI)ou toilt blef^^

mf II %i ^Tin tfie time of Ijis trouble b?e call upon tli^, do

"* 67. t()ou Deliver l}im, anD let t)im gto2ifie tliec , Ijotoeber

fijelxi l)im tlje fin tl)at Dotl) offenD tl}oe, let !}im fearri)

anD tr j> I)i0 toap^, anD confef0 anD turn from fjije:

3iniquitp, anD let it be gCDD fo^ Ijim tl)at i)e b)a5

Ifa. 17. 9. afflicteD* 31et ttji^f be tl^e fruit of it to purge anD

1 Cor. II. 51. tafeg aU3ap l)i0 fin, 2ri)at being d)affeneD of tl)e^^D*

Lam ^^'i^^'z? !}e mav not be conDcmneD toitf) tl^e imoglD^ 41nD

16 iT^i^.* f^^owgl) cl)altifement fo^ tl)e p^fent faemetl) not to be

Pfai. ?o.^ )opou0, but greibou0, vet aftertoarD^ let it pieiD

Hcb. u. 6, 7. tl)e peaceable fruit of i^ignteonfnef^ to tl)i0 tl)p feer^:

ifa. }8. ii?,io. i,^„(.^ tijat i0 ejcercifeD tl)erein. 3|n tl)emean time,

i3[> 3lo?D, be tliou l}i0 Ipo^tion, tol)0 art gCDD to t\)Z

^oul tliat fttketl) tl)ce, anD toaitetl) fo^ tl)0e* 5tlet

I)im patiently anD filentlp bear ti)^ jjoafe, let i)im

Pfai. ii6.9,iz,ippe anD quietlp toait fo? tl)p falbation: cironfiDer^

v(\ JO IT n ^"S ^^^^ ^^^^" ^^'^^ "'^^ '^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^* ^'^^^ ^^)?

t Cor 1 9* "^^ ^^S^J^ ^^ ^^^ ^^} ^ moment, but in t\)^ fabour 10;

&4. 16.* We* iWiaeping map enDure fo^ a mfil)t, but ;op

& f . 8. cometb in t\)Z moaning : anD tl^at \»l)om tl)0u lobeiJ>

tl)ou ciianCeneil, anD fcourgefi eberp fon ix)(}om ti)ou
recetbeff -, anD tijat if !)e enDure cl)a(!ening, tI}ou

Hcb. 10. 3S. DealeS toitl) fjim a0 a ^on. 3|f I)e be recobereD, let
I)im Debote ijimfelf entirelp to tl)p glo^p : i;i)at bjfjen
tliou liafl^ put offl)i0 fackclot^anD mourning, anD

iCjr. 14- is. giroeD t)im toitl) gl^Dnef^, \)z map fpeafi t\)^ T^^^iiiz^

anD gibe t\)Zt tl)ank0^ 3|f ^e receibe t{)Z fentence

• of JDeatt) in l}imfelf, let it caufe l)im to trull ixi tt^tt

17. tljat raifeff tl^e DeaD, bnotoing tbat a0 t()ou DiDff

raife up tl^e 31o^D 3l,efu0, tljou toilt raife Ijimup alfo

Phil. 3. 9. bp 31eru0: 3n)erefo^e fuffer not l)i0 l)ope to faint:
hut tljougl) I)i0 outtoarD man per ill), pet let [)i0 in:^

1 Cor. 10. 13. ixiarD man be renetoeD from Dap to Dap: anD let l)im
libe h^ faitlj, anD Itofe at tl)e tljing0 toljici) are not
iazn, eben at tl)e cxcccDing eternal b3eigt)t of glo^p*

Hcb. 2. 14. 3e^ft [y^xa be founD m <&\)i\% not f)abmg lji0 oUin
rigl)teoufner0, but tljat toljicli is of (I3od b^ faitl)*
iReCraiu tlie tempter, anD Detiber tlip Ccrbant from

X Cor. i;. J.J. t[)z ftnful fear0 of Deatb, bp Cl^ril!, toljo tli^ougl;
i)eatt), DelfropeD tlje JDebil tljat ijaD tl)e potoer of

Deatlj;

The Reformed Liturgy, ey

Deaef); Cljat ijt ma]? finD t()at tjeatl) l)atl) Io(! Ijijef
fimg, aiiD SrriumpI) Dber it bp jFaiti) in f)im, tlj^ougfj p .,„ «
i»l)om toe are maoe mo^e fijan Conquerer^* STIjat Coi i i'
tp JFaitf) ann lobe, l)i0 foul map note afcenD toitl) Joh.'ia i; &
^\)^\% t\)^t afcenoeD untof)i0 jfatljer anD om* jfaf^er, ^4. ^3, & 17,
anD to fjifi:<0c9 anD our (IB^oD, anD i^ gone to jn^ei: Jf-
pare a place fq^ Ui8^, anD i;atl) p^omifeD, tl)at tuyere ^ ^7- h-
fte vs, tiiere Iji^ ferbant;8^ (^all be aifo : 2ri)at tljep
map beJjolD ti)e gio^p i»I)icfj ti^ou ijaS giben i)im>
Sl^agnifie tijpfelf in t)i^ ©oDp io^etljer h^ life 0? Phu , ,
neatd, auD fafetp bring i)im im'o tl}p glo^iou^ p^es: ' * '
fence, tof)erei^fulnef0of3jop, anD ofberlafiing pleas? pr,i ,< ,,
fure0, tlj^ougf) %tim Clj^ift our 3!life anD Eigijte^ '''' ^'•

OUfnef^* Amen.

A Prayer for Women drawing near the time of
Child-bearing.

M^

\fiD0 merciful jfatfjer, tof|o Ijail jufflp g^enteni: j Tim 2 u
. ceD ^oman, tl)at O3a0 fird in tt)e 2rranfgref::: Gen. i ik
fi'on, to great anDmultiplieD fo^roto.o', anD particu::: i Tim. 2. i^-.
larlpin (q^rohj to b?ing fo^tl} cljilDgen; pet granted ™' 4^ i*
p^eferbation anD relief, fo^ t\)t propagation ofV-^u^^;'-
fl^aufeinD* 3l5e merciful to tlji;9f t^p ferbant, be near dcuc i8 4
f)er \3^it\) ti^v p^efent Ijelp, in t\]t meDfuf time ofzCor. i.io,'ir.
trouble, anD tl^oujjf) in STrabel II)e tjatfj fo^rob^, gibe « Sam.z. at i.
f|er firengt^ to b^ing fo^tl^ Being DelibereD, let t|er ^^•
remember no mo^e ttje 4Ingui0;, fo^ jop t!)at a <a:l)ilD
is bo^n into tlje cHlorlD* Blef^ Ijer in tlje fruit of
l)er boDp, anD being faf^p DelibereD, let Ijer return
tl)ce tjeartp tljanfejef, anD Debote it anD tlje rell of ^er
life to t\]i^ ferbice, tlj^ougl) JjefUiSf clj^iC our ^abi?s

OUr^. Amen.

A Thankfgiving for thofe that are reftored, from
^ Dangerous Sicknefs.

W(K tf)ank t\^ SS> mol! <B}mmsi <15oD, tljat
tljou Ijaft l^earD U0 ioljen h)e crpeD unto tl^oe, *^^^]; ^0.2, & 3.
fo? tl)p ferbant in Ijije? toeaknefjef anD Dittrefe^, tl)at ^ f;''^' '°*
tl)ou l)a!I not not turneD abiap cur ip^aper no^ tf)p & ,oj: 3. 4.
mercp from fjim: toe crpeD to ttja, anD tl)ou ^m ifa. 38. 10, n.
DelibereD anD IjealeD l)im, tl)0u IjaS b^ougljt \)im]^r ze. 3. h-
from tl)e grabe, t!)ou Ijafi kept l}im alibe, tljat i)e^i^»i-^03-5.
IJoulD not fio Doton into tlje 3Pit, ttjou l;ae fo^giben

I}ijff

58 ^he Reformed Liturgy.

ifa. ?8. II. \)\& iniquirp, ant) iiealcD Iii^ nifeafejef, tl}0u IiaU re^

Pfai. 17- n- oeemeD l)i^ life from Drllruction, anD l)a(! crdtoeo

piai. ?i. 4, f • i)iin toitl) icbing feiiitincf^ ant) tenDer mercieje:, d)Ou

V '^i5^'' ^^^^ ""^^ Ofp^ibtD Iiim of tl)c rcfiDue of t)i0 {>ear0,

& ^" -^V.* tlicu liati rrpmteD tl]cc of tl)e Crbil : tt>ifif 3lge its not

& -5. 1. DppartfD; STliou \^h^ renetueD iii0 poutli, ann gitjm

& u. w- I]im to fee man, toitli flie 3!nliabitant0 of tt]e iiQio^ID;

& ;3- i$i *3- 3[nD to ict t\)Z d^oiDnef^ of tiie ?lo^D, m t\)Z lantJ of

tlie libmg* Pav anD niglit t!ip lianti t»a0 lieatjp upon

Oim, but tl)Ou hal! turneD ateap tl)p to^atl), anD I)all

fozgiben tbe iniquitp of \)\is fin ; fo? tl)i0 eberv one

prai..6o. II. tt?at 10 goDlv fball p^av unto t\]Zt in a time of trou^

vcf' *r I 12 ^^^^ 2ri)0u art a f)iDmg place, tijou p^eferbcff usf

18 1^1+ 'from trouble: iculienour jrlefijanDour^eart failetl)

Ifa'. 38 . 10. U0, tlioii art tl}e ffrengtl) of our i)eart, anD our ipo^;;

1 Cor. 6. zo. tion fo^ e\jer i inneeD jLo^D tljou art gmn unto tljme

Luke 2. 19. ifrad ; (Ebeu to fudi a0 are clean of Ijeart ■■, manp are

1 Cor. I }o. jj^g afflictions of tbe i^igliteouj0, but t^ou Delibereff

tliem out of all ; STliougl) aU tlie Dap long t\)tv be

afflicteD, anD cliadcneD et)erp 0Bo^ning, -^tt are tljep

continuafip toitl) tl)0e -, Cijou 'ijolDel! t^em bp tl)p

rigl)t l)anD, tl)OU art a p^efent l)elp in trouble, to()en

all tlie l)elp of man i0 \iHn* ilet tfip ferbant lobe

tl)CC, bccaufe tljou Ijafl liearD lii0 boice anD fupplica-

tion, JLet l)im ofer unto t\)it, tlje facrifice of

t^ankfgibing ; anD t^^^ \)iis (nob30 to tl}e moff

I)igt)-, anD take tl)e dup of S>albation, anD call

upon tl)cc all I)ij0 Daps: let liim be itnlioUp De:^

boteD to tl)p p^aife, anD glo^ifie tlja* in ^oul

anD 3I50DP, a0 being %l)\nz , anD feafonabli? De^

part in peace unto tl)p <I0ilo^p: tl)^ougl) 31efuj0 (il)^i(J

our life anD ri^jteoufnefs* Amtn.

A Thanks g7 V J ffg.^ for the deliverance of
II omen^ in Child' hearing,

prai34. ^4. \\J^ return tljct tl)ank0 590I! (Bimmsi (IB^oD,
Rev. 1.18. w 3^ijat thou l)aa liearD our IPgapers fo^ tl)i;9r
prai"i'iV 9' ^^'^V liauD:;maiD : anD bafi born l)tT lielpin tlie time of
& 127. J.' * l)fr nereffitp anD DflibcrtD 1)lt from lier fears anD
& 41. 4- fo^rotcie : Deatl) anD life arc in tl)p potoer, t\]ti\ killeU
& 110.4. auD tl)ou mafeefi alibc, tlicu b^mgeH roUni to tl)e
& i4S.:^.iO;i4.grabf, anD tbou b^nigetJ up ■■> Cliou makrS tljell^ar:::
ren to beep fjoufe, ano to be a jopful 5^otl)cr of <s:l)il:i

D^ea*

The Reformed Litftrgy. i^q

D^em Mt tliank ttjae, tljat tliou i)aff giben tijp fer:::
bant, to fee tfje fruit of Ijer ©ifomb, atiD tijat'tljou ip.
l^afi bgoug!]t I)er again to ttip igolp ^tlfemblp, to Deut. z%. 8.
go toiti} tiie muItituDe to tl)p i^oufe, anD tr.o^iI?ip p^^^- *5-5..
tf)0e toiti) ttje boice of jop anD praife, tl)at ll;e map
enter into ti)p gate^ l»iti) tljanfefgibing, anD into
ti)y> (Court tt)tri) p^aife, anD U3e map aE be tiianfeful
to tljee on l]er bei^alf, anD fpeak m^ of tI)T> iRame \
€I)ou art goD, ^ 5(logD, to aft, anD tl}p tenDer
mercies are ober all tl)p iuo^fi^, tI)ou p^ferbellifa.44'?.
ti)em tijat lobe tljee ^ tl)OU raifeU \x^ tl)em ti^at are f^e^f- ^ ^^» M*
botoeD Doten -, ti)ou fulfillelf tt)e Defire of tl)em tl^at ff^ V^"
fear tljoe, tl)ou alfo Dott i}ear tl)eir crp, anD Tabe jjfai ^" J°'
tijem. commanD t^^ bleffing pet upen t\)^ ferbant , cor. 7. U.
anD l}^r off^fp,2ingi ilet I)er not fogget tl)0e anD tljpEph. 6. 4.
mere ieo, but let tier Debote tl)e life b)l)!cl} tl)OU Deut. 6. c.
fiair gibenf)er to tl}P ferbice, anD eDucate Ijer off^^?^'^-^^.
fp^ing aj3^ a ^olp feeb, in tl}e nurture anD aDmoni^ ^2ech u tb n
tion of tl)e 3to^D, anD a.9^ tt}OU ()dtt faiD, tl)at ttjppfai/gi. 4.'
curfe i^ in ttje ()oufe of t!ie toicfeeD, h\xt ttjou bleflfell i juhn 2. 1 y .
t()e Ijabitation of tlie pii •-, let tjer, anD l)er l)oufe i'^i. ?.i, 18.
ferbe tl)ee, anD leti^olinefe to tl)e ^o^X) be h)<iitten^^°y;5^'-?'
upon aH b^Ijeretoitl) ti)ou blelTelJ Ijer; let ijer f ^ S^^\^. ^^
make ti}ee ijer refuge auD l^abitaticn -, dB^ibe i^er tl)e ^' '
ornament of a raeek anu quiet fpirit, \x\i}idj in tl}p
figljt isi of great p^ice, let i]er not lobe tlje iJoo^lD,
no^ minD (Sartljlp ti)ing0, but ufe tljt mtj^io a0 not
abufing of it : Seeing tlje time i0 ftort, anD tl;e
fafl[)ion of tl)i0 too^lD paSetl) atoap: 3S.ei!orf i)ei:
^oul, auD leaD ber ni tl)e patl)i8: of rigljteoufnef^f j
tliougl) fije mull toalk tljiou%fj tlje baHep of tfje
fJ;aDob3 of Deati}, let i)er fear no ebil; 5iet tl)p
gmDnef^f auD mercp foUobj ^er all tl^e Dap^ cf l^er
life, anD let l)er DfeieH fo? eber in tip cIBJlo^iou^ p^e^;
fence , 2;()?ougl) 3efu0 ^i^iO^ our Hop anD g>abiour^
Amen.

If the Child be dead, ifaofe paffages whxh
imply it's living muft be omitted, and if tlie Woman
be fuch as the Church hath Caufe to judge ungodly,
sheThankfgiving muft be in Words more agreeable
to her Condition, if any be u fed.

Eee Of

6o The Reformed Liturgy,

Of Pa(ioral Dijcipl'ine, PMck Confejjiorj^
Abfoltition^ and Exclujion from the Holy
Communion of the Church.

TH E Recital of the Curfes are faid in the Book
of Common Prayer, to be inftead of the godly
Difcipline of the primitive Church, till it can be re-
ftored again, which is much to be wi(hed, which is
the putting of notorious Sinners to open Penitence :
His Majefty's Declaration concerning Ecclefiaftical
Affairs, determineth that all publick diligence be ufed
for the Inftrudlion and Reformation of fcandalous
Offenders, whom the Minifter (hall not fufFer to
partake of the Lord's Table, until they have openly
declared themfelves to have truly repented and
amended their former naughty lives, provided
there be place for dae Appeals to Superiour Powers.

And the Law of Chrift commandetb, if thy Bro-
ther trefpafs againft thee, go and tell him his faults
between him and thee alone, if he (hall hear thee,
thou haft gained thy Brother, but if he will not hear
thee, then take to thee one or two more, that in the
Mouth of two or three WitneflTes, every Word may
be eftablilhed, and if he (hall negledi to hear them, tell
it unto the Church, but if he (hall negledl to hear the
Church, let him be unto thee as an Heathen man,.
or as a Publican. Matth. i8. 1 5 , i6, 17. And it is
the Office of the Paftors of the feveral Congrega-
tions, not only to teach the People in General, and
guide them in the Celebration of the publick Wor-
ihip, but alfo to overfee them, and watch over each
Member of their Flock particularly , to prefer ve
them from Errors, Herefies, Divifions, and other
Sins, defending the Truth, confuting Gain-fayers
and Seducers, inftrudling the Ignorant, exciting the
Negligent, encouraging the Defpondenr, comforting
the Afflidled, confirming the Weak, rebuking and
admonilhing the Diforderly and Scandalous, and di-
re<^ng all according to their needs in the matters of
their Salvation, and the People in fuch needs fhould
have ordinary recourfe to them, as the Officers of

Chrilt,

The Reformed Liturgy, 6i

Chrift, for Guidance, and Refolution of their
Doubts, and for Afliftance in making their Sal-
vation fure; and in proving, maintaining, or re-
ftoring the Peace of their Confciences, andfpiritual
Comfort.

If therefore any Member of the Church be a fcan-
dalous Sinner, and the Crime be either notorious or
fully proved, let the Paftor admonifli him, and fee
before him the particular Command of God which
he tranfgrefleth, theSupream Authority of God which
he defpifeth, the Promifes and Mercies which he^
treadeth under foot, and the Curfe and dreadful
Condemnation, which he draweth upon himfelf, let
this be done with great Compaflion and tender Love
to the Offenders Soul, and with gravity, reverent
and ferious importunity, asbefeemeth Men employ-
ed on the behalf of God, for the faving of a Soul,
and yet with Judgment, and cautelous Prudence,
not taking that for Sin which is no Sin, nor that for
a grofs and fcandalous Sin, which is but an ordinary
humane frailty, not dealing as unreverently with a
Superiour as with an Inferiour, not making that
publick which (hould be concealed, nor reproving
before others when it iTiouId be done more fecretly,
nor unfeafonably fpeaking tothofe who through Drink
or Paflion are incapable of the benefit, nor yet offend-
ing by bafhfulnefs, or the fear of man, or lukewarm-
nefs, negligence, or fleighting over great Oflfences, oil
the other extream.

Prudence alfo requireth them to be cautelous of
over-medling, where the Magiftrates honour, or
concernment, or the Churches unity, or peace, or
the reputation of others, or the intereft of their Mi-
niftry requireth them to forbear.

Thcfe Cautions obferved. If the fcandalous OfTen-^
der continue impenitenr, or unreformed, after due;
Admonitions and Patience, let the Paftor in the Con-
gregation when he is prefent rebuke him before all,
that the Church may iufficiently difown the Crime,
and others may fee the odioufnefs and danger of the
Sin. But let this alfo be with the Love, and Pru-
dence, before mentioned.

If the Offender in obftinacy will not be there, the
Paftor may open the Crijue before the Congrega-

E c e 1 tion.

62 The Reformed Liturgy.

tion : And prefcnt or abfent (in cafe he remain ini-
penitent) if the Cafe will bear fo long delay, it is
convenient, that the Paftor publickly pray for his
conviftion and repentance, that he may be laved.

And this he may do one, or two, or three, or
more Days, as the nature of the Cafe, and Prudence
(hall direcfl him.

If during thefe means for his Recovery fafter the
Proof of the Crime) there be a Communion of the
Church in the Lord's Supper, let the Paftor require
him to forbear, and not fuffer him to partake of the
Lords Table.

If yet the Offender remain impenitent, let the
Paftor openly declare him unmeet for the Communi-
on of the Church, and require him to abftain from
it, and require the Church to avoid Communion
with him. And let him bind him by the denunci-
ations of the threatnings of God, againft the impeni-
tent.

But before this is done^ let no neceffary Confulta-
tion, with other Paftors, or Concurrence of the
Church be neglected : And after let there be place
for due Appeals, and let Minifters confent to give
account when they are accufed of Male-adminiftra-
tion.

But if after private Admonition (while the offence
is fuch, as requireth not publick Confeffion) the Sin-
ner be penitent, let the Minifter privately apply to
his confolation the promifesof the Gofpel, with fuch
cautelous prudence, as is moft fuitable to his con-
dition :

And if he repent not till after publick admoni-
tion, or that the fcandal be fo great and notorious,
as that a publick Confeflion is neceflary, let him at
a feafonable time appointed by the Paftor, with re-
morfe of Confcience, and true contrition, confefs
his fin before the Congregation, and heartily Jament
it, and clear the honour of his Chriftian profeflion.
which he had ftaincd, and crave the Prayers of the
Church to God for pardon, and reconciliation
through Chrift, and alfo crave the Minifterial Abfo-
lucion and Reftauration to the Communion of the
Church, and profefs his refojution to do io no more ;
but to live in new Obedience to God, dcfiring alfo

their

The Reformed Liturgy, 62

their prayers for corroborating and preferving
grace.

It is only a credible profeflion of Repentance, that
is to be accepted by the Church.

The foregoing Cautions muft be carefully obferved
in fuch confeflions, that they be not made to the in-
juring of the Magiftraie, or of the Church, or of
the Reputation of others, or of the Life, Eftate, or
Liberty of the Offender, or to any other (hame than
is neceffary to the manifefting of his Repentance,
and the clearing of his Profeffion, and the righting
of any that he hath wronged, and the honour and
prefer vation of the Chur(A.

When he hath made a credible profeflion of Re-
pentance, it is the Paftors duty, Minifterially to
declare him pardoned by Chrift, but in condiiional
Terms. [If his Repentance be fincere] And to
abfolve him from the cenfure of non-Communion
with the Church, if he was under fuch a cenfure
before his penitence, and to dfeclare hini meet for
their Communion, and to encourage him to come,
and require the Church to entertain him into their
Communion with gladnefs, and not upbraid him
with his fall, but rejoice in his recovery, and endea-
vour his confirmation and prefervation for the time
to come: And it is his duty accordingly to admit him
to Gommuniou, and theirs to have loving Comniuniori
with him ; All which the penitent perfon, niuft be-
lievingly, lovingly, and joyfully receive. But if
any by Notorious perfidioulnefs, or frequent Cove-
nant breaking have forfeited the credit of their
Words, or have long continued in the fin which they
do confefs, fo that their forfaking it hath no proof;
The Church then muft have teftimony of the actual
Reformation of fuch as thefe, before they may take
their profcflions and promifes as credible ; Yet here
the difference of Perfons and offences is fo great ;
that this is to be much left to the prudence of Paftors
that are prefent, and acquainted with the perfons,
and Circumftances of the Cafe. In the tranfadling
of all this, thefe following Forms, to be varied as
the variety of Cafes do require, may be made
ufe of.

Ee c 3 A

1^4 T^^ Reformed Liturgy,

A Form of Publicly Admonition to the
Imtenitent,

The fin may be A B. you are convicfl of grofs and fcandalous fin,

namtd and aS" XX you have been admonilhed and intreated to re-
eravaced when "^ ti t c • f t^ •

Sisconvtnienr.P^"^- ^"^ promiies oX mercies to the Penitent j
and the threatnings of God againft the Impenitent,
hsve not been concealed from you j we have waited
in hope for yQur repentance, as having compafTion
on your Soul, and defiring yonr Salvation 9 but we
muft fay with grief, you have hitherto difappointed
us ; We are certain from the Word of God, that
you muft be penitent, if ever you will be pardoned,
and that except you repent, you Ihall everlaftingly
pcri(h, LuJ{e 13. 3, 5. Acis 5.31. Lul{e 12.47. To
acquaint you publickly with this, and yet here to
offer you mercy from the Lord, is the next duty laid
upon us for your recovery, O ! blame us not, if
knowing the Terrors of the Lord, we thus perfwade
you, and are loth to leave you in the power of Sa-
tan, and loth to fee you caft out into perdition, and
that your blood Ihould be required at our hands, as
not having difcharged our duty to prevent it.

■ Be it known unto you therefore, that it is the
God of Heaven and Earth, the great, the jealous,
. and the terrible God, whofe Laws you have broken,
and whofe Authority you defpife ; you refufe his
Government, who is coming with ten thoufands of
his Saints, to execute Judgment upon all, and to
convince all that are ungodly of their ungodly deeds,
and fpeeches, who hath lold us that [evil ihall not
dwell with him.] The Foolilh Ihall not fland in
his light : He hateth all workers of iniquity (^Jude
14. 15. Pfalm 5. 4, 5.) The ungodly fo all not fi and
in Judgment^ nor fpmcrs in the CoKgypg^ticn of the
S{ighteous, (Pfalm i. 5,6.) God hath not made his
Laws in vain. Though the wicked contemn God,
and fay in their hearts, he will not require it, {P/alm
10. 13.) Yet their damnation flumbereth not, they
arc referved to the day of judgment, to be punilhed
(i Pet. 1. 3, 9 J And he feeth that their day is
.coming ; (Pfalm 37. 13) If men cut off the lives

of

The Reformed Liturgy. 65

of thofe that break their Laws, will God be out-
faced by the pride, and ftubbornefs of finncrs ? He
will not; you fliall know he will not; He threat-
neth not in jeft. Who hath hardened himfelf againft
him and hath profpered? (?o/' 9. 4.) Are you not
as chaff and ftubble, and is not our God a con-
fuming fire, (Pfalmi,^, 1/rf. 5. 24. Hel/. 12. l^.)
If Briars and Thorns be fet againft him in
Battle, will he not go through them, and burn them
up together, {Tfa. 27.4.) Can your heart endure, or
your hands be ftrong in the day when God Ihall deal
with you ? It is the Lord tfet hath fpoken it, and he
will do it. Esiel{. 22. 14. What will you do, when
you muft bear with the pains of Hell from God,
that now, can fcarce endure to be thus openly and
plainly warned of it j If we to pleafe you fhould be
filent and betray you, do you think the God of
Heaven, will fear, or flatter you, or be unjuft to
pleafe a worm. Do you frovoke the Lord.to JeaiouJIe,
are you ftronger then he? (i Cor. 10. 22.) O man!
for your fouls fake, let not Satan abufe yftur under-
ftanding, and fin befool you, muft you not die? And
doth not Judgment follow, when all Secrets (hall be
opened, and God will no more entreat you to con-
fefs. (Heh, 9. 7. Matth, 10. 26.) Behold the Judge
ftandeth at the door, (Jam. 5. 9.) will fin go then
with you for as light a matter as it doth now ? Will
you then deny it, or will you ftand to all the rea-
fonings, or excufes, by which you would now ex-
tenuate or cover it? Will you defend it as your
friend ? And be angry with Minifters and Reprovers
as your Enemies. Or will you not mourn at laft
(with weeping and gnafhing of teeth) And fay ^ Hov9
have I hated TnjhtiHion, and my heart dejpifed I{eproof?
And have not obeyed the voice of my Teachers^ nor in"
dined mine Ear to them that Infiruded me, (Pro. 5. I !»
12, 13. Mat. I?. 42, 50.) O that you were wife, that
you underflood this, and that you would confider your lat-
ter End. (Deut. 32. 29,) Believe Gods wrath before
you feel it : Be convinced by the word and fervants
of the Lord, before you are confounded by the dread-
fulnefs of his Majefty ; yet there is hope, but fliortly
there will be none, if you negled): it ; yet if you con-
fefs and foifake your fins, you fhall have mercy, but

Eee 4 if

66 The Reformed Liturgy.

if you cover them, you Ihall not profperj {Prov,
28. 13.) And if being oft reproved ^ you harden your
necl{^ you f\^aU fuddenly be dejtroyed^ nnd that vpithout
remedy, (Pro. 29. i.) Be' not dece'ved, God n not
m''cked. I Vhatfocver you fow, that fhall ycu alfo reap.
(Gal. 6. 7.) O man ! You know not what it is to
deal with an offended, and revenging God. Nor
what it is to hear Chnft fay, Depart from me ye
workers of Iniquity; J never knew you, depart
from me ye wicked into cverlafting fire, (Matth.
7. 25. and 25. 41.) You know not what it is to be
fhuc out of Heaven, and concluded under utter de-
fperarion, and in Hei! to look back upon this obiti-
iiate Impenitence; and rejcd:ing of the mercy that
would ha', e laved you ; and ihere co have Confcience
telling you for ever, what it is that you have done ;
Did you not know what this is, could you think a
Penitent confelling and foufaking your fin to be 2
condition too hard for the preventing of fuch a
doleful ftate ? Ono! Yoa know not what a cafe
you are cafting your immortal foul into. The Lord
give you repentance, that you may never know it
by experience. To prevent this, is our bulinefs
with )ou; We delight not to difpleafe or thame
you. But God hath tv Id us, QThat if any do err
from the Truth, and one convert him, let him
know, that he which convertech the finner from the
err.Tof his way, (liall fave a foul from death, and
fhall hide a multitude of fins, Jat?]. ^. 10.'] I do
therefore by the Command, and in the name of Je-
fus Chrift, require and befeech you, that you do
without any more delay, confefs your fins and hear-
tily bewail theru; and beg pardon of them, and re-
folve and promife by the help of Gud to do fo no
more. And blefs God that yoti have an advocate
with the Father Jelus Chrift the righteous, uhofe
blood will cleanfe you from your (ins ; if you peni-
tently confefs them, (i ''^ohn i, 7, 9. and 2. 1,2) and
that mercy may be yet had on fo eafie terms. If you
had any fcnfe of your fin and mifery, or any fenfc of
the dilhonour done to God, or of the wrong that
you have done to others, and of the ufefulnefs of
your penitent confeiTion, ajid amendment, to the re-
paration of ail ihefe, you would caft your fcif in

the

The Reformed Liturgy, 67

the duft, in (hame and grief before the Lord, and
before the Church : To day therefore, if you will
hear his voice, harden not your heart, left God for-
fake you, and give you over unto your own hearts
luft, to walk in your own counfels, and refolve in
his wrath, you fhall never enter into his reft, [Pf^lm
95. 8, 12. and 81. 11,12.) And then God and this
•Congregation, will be WitnefTes that you were
warned ; and your blood will be upon your own
head. But if in penitent Confeffion, you. flie to
Chrift, and loath yourfelf for your iniquities, and
heartily forfake them, I have Authority to promife
you free Forgivenefs, and that your Iniquity (hajl
not be your Ruin, (LuK^i/i^. 4, 7. £;^e/j.i 8.30531,32.)

A Form of Confejfion^ to he made before
the Lofigregatton,

IJDo confer^ before (li5otJ, anti tl)ij8^ congregation, T^f. - ^g
tl;at BJ^ipb^^eatlp finneD^ * 31 ijabe offenDeti, pro. 28. i?.
anD DifbonoreD d^ou, iti^ong^ pfai. 32. 5.

* Here the fin muft b» ejJ t\)Z ^\)nu\x, anD tljB E^o. lo. i5.

judged rcquifire. tieferben to be fo^faken of tl}e }^^'l \l'

?Lo?D, anD cad out of I)ij0fpf. yi. ,j.
T^ldtncz anD t\)Z communion of g>aint;6f, into Defpe=* Mac 27. y .
ration, anD remeDifef^ miferp in J^ell: 3I am no \]}^^^^' -^^
moge Ixjo^tijp to be calfeD tl)p S)on, 0? tof^abe a name ^f- ^^- ^•
0^ place among t{)f ^erbant^. 3I do l)ere Declare y^'^^; Lut
mine iniqxxit'^. anD am fo?rp foz mp fin^; arijep are ,^. ,3. i xirr!
gone ober mp IjeaD a0 a Ijeabp burDen, tftep are taj i. «. Heb.9.15.
Ijeabp fo^ me, tijep tafee I}olD upon me, 31 am ali?a^ Luke w. 10.
mrD, a0unb3o^tl)p to Itok up tetoarDjsf igeaben, but R^"^- ^ ^°-
mp l)ope i^ in t\]t bICDD anD grace of Ch^iiJ, b:»I}0 ^41* l, z' i ^
maDe l.n^ life a facrifice for ^n. anD came to faekneb s.'iz. *
anD fabe tljat tol)icf} bja^f lofi^ toljofe grace abounD;: Pfai 51- n.^;.
etl), hjl)ere Sn Ijatl) abounDeD : 2ri)e ?lo^D be merciful 6c 9. & lo?. ic.
to me a (inner : 31 l}umblp beg of tl)e congregation, p^ ^'^ ^°' '^•
tijat tl)ep l»in earnemp p^ap, tftat (25oD toiH toall) ]^l\ \/» '°-
me tIj^ougl)Ip from mine Jlniquitp, anD cleanfe me j^^rk 13. 37-
from mp fin, tljat t)e U)iu fo^gibe tl)em, anD blot
t^ijem out, anD IjiDe i]\^ $m from tt)em, anD rementi

ber

68 The Reformed Liturgy,

Pfai 7-. 1,15. ber tl]em no mo^r, tljat \)Z toiH not eaff me abap
Ecci. 8; 12. from \)i^ P^cfenfc, no^ fo^fake me a^ 31 Ijabc fo^fa^:

3- ^"'^- ^-°- ^° ken Iiim, noz neal tciiM) mc acco^Ding to mp Defert0 :
jam. 1. 1 3, 14- 23y^ fj^^( j^p ^^^jlj ^-j.j.3j.g j^ j^^j, g ^Ij^^jj (^f.^i.t, ann re;;

I J )hn^.'4. netD a rigl^t fpirit in me. anD grant me t\)Z jop of
Gal. 6;. I. ^10 g^alljation; anD 31 beg parDon of tlje ai:t)urcl),
anti an t\)^t 3i l]a^e ixi^ongen : anD refolbe bp tl)e
grace of <i5oD to Do fo no mo^e; but to Voalk mo^e
toatflifullp as before tlie 51o^D, anD 31 Defire an ttjat
are ungoD{)>, tijat tliev tl)ink neber tlje too^fe of tlje
^atP0, 0^^ Uiap0, o;t ferbantef of tl)e 31o^D fo^ mp
i Cor. TO. II. mlfDoing^^ fo} if 31 1)^^^ b^n t-uIeD b)> (3oD, anD
ii.iSum.ii.^i. i)v i)i0 rirbants, 31 ^l^D neber Done a;8f3l tjabe Donet
^/"' v^" _- STbere i^notbing in Keligion tl^at befrienDetl) fin,
Hcb u ts" ^^I^^^^^' notl)ing fo contrary to it, a^e: (I^oD anD bij^f
I Cor. 9. 25, bc'p ^atD0, ^bicb 31 ibouiD babeobepeD* Hatl^er
c.^, 17. let aH take toarning bp me, anD aboiD temptation^,

aChron.if.K^. anDlibenot careleap, anD b^^t"ken not to tbe incli:^
Hph. 5. 16. nationof, 0? reafonings of tlje flefb> no^ truttinot
tl)eir Ireafe anD finful b^ art0, hnt libe in goDip fear,
anD ttiatcl):\ilnefj8i, anD k^i^ unDer t\)t fiefi/, anD
keep clofe to (25oD, anD b^^^t-ken to tbe faitbful
founrel of \)\^ ferbant^, anD intreat pour ^gaper^
to ci^oD, tbafr ^ map be UrengtljencD h^ bi^ g^ace,
tbat 31 mav fin tlju^ iio mo^e. leH b30<2fe befal me*

J^h 1 y. 14-

A Form of Prayer for a Sinner Impenitent ^
after Publick^ Adr/tonition,

MflDtt gracious^ C5oD, acco^Ding to t!)p commanD
^ ^^. ,. . .. tue babe b:iarneD tbifl' finner anD tolD bitn of

Mat. J. 7. tbP tl}^eatningj8f , anD fogetolD bim of tbv certain

terrible 3iUDgment0, tljat b^ *-nigbt flp from tbe

U)^atb to come, but afa^, ^b^e perceibe not tbat be
Prv. 19. 1, repentetb 0,2 relentetb> but b^uDenetb bij8^ b^^^t

againffrep^©fi a0 if b^ ^-fre able to contenD >o:s\t.\\
I Cor. 10. iz. tbee, auD obercome tl)p poUier ; ^ let U0 p^ebail

bjitb tbee fo; grace, tljac U^e tnap p^ebail b)itb bi^n
lukci3.24. fo^ ^Deniteat confcftion anD reformation. £2) ^\t^^^

mifcrable finner ' fo mifcrable, a0 tbat be laprtb not to
AfJsS. 11,23. beart bi.^niiferp, no^ pitietb bitnfelf* ilD fabe bim

frmn tlje gall of I5ittcnuf0, anD from tt]e 23onD0 of
A^sn. iS. - 1)10 J.niquitp : (3ibe Ijim repentance unto life j tbat

fee

The Reformed Liturgy. 69

l;e map recober ijimfelf out of t^e fnare of tljz Pebii,

b5l)0 t0 taken captibe bp l)im at l)i0 iittiiU^ (ZBitoiTim. i.i-^iej.

l)im not up to a blinn tninU, to a fearen coniciemey

a Ijeart tl)at i^ paa failing, no? to toalfe in iji^ oion

coiinfels, ano after t)i;8: oton IUS0; ^et l)im nojohn n. ^o.

longer nefpife tt)e ricl}e^ of tl)p g(DtJnef;8^, ano fo^:^

bearance anO long^fuffering, no? ix)itl) a ijarDeneD

impenitent i)eart, treafure up to^atlj, againft tlje ^-^^^4. 2-

Dap of lJD?atl), ano rebelation of tl)p rigl)teou0

luDgment, te^o toilt renoer to eberp man acco^ning

to f)i0 jD0eD0, eben to tl)em tl)at are contentious ^pj?- 4- ^9;

anD obep not tfje trutlj, but obep unrigl)teournef0, ^^^ ^ ; '^- ^

indignation, anD to^atlj, tribulation anD anguid;, ^ ^*

upon eberp foul of man tljat Doetl) t\>iU Ktt Ijim 8, 9-

he fure tl)at tije juDgment of dBotJ is? accosting to z, 3.

trutl) againl! tl)em tl)at commit fuel) tl)ing;8^, anD let

l}im -not tl}ink in t)i0 impenitmcv to efcape tijp

;uDgment; SD differ l)im not, tofjen I)e fiearetf) tl)e Deut.19. i?-

tl}^eatning^ of ti)p 3xao?D, to blefg ijimfetf in ijist lo, n.

l)eart, anD fap, 31 l^aH Ijabe peace, tl)ougt) 31 toalk

in tl}e ^Imaginations of mv l}eart, anD aDD fin to fin,

led tijy 41nger anD 3i^alouiie fmo&e againtt I)im, anD

tt)OU toilt not fpare i)im, but blot out i)ijs 0ame from Mark 9. 24.

unoer i^eaben, anD all tljp curfes; lie upon tjim, anD

ttjou feparate Ijim to (Ebi(, eben to tlie too?m tijat Mat. i. u.

titti) not, anD to tlje fire ti)at i$ not quencl)eD* !3D ^^uc. 9. »;.

fabe l}im from l)i0 fin^ef, from ijijer 3f!ttrpenitencp, anD

tlje F?itJe anD Ifubbo^neCe! of Ijije: Ijeart: W fabe

l)im from tlje cberlalling ;fftames, auD from ti)p z Cor. s. 2.

ix)?atf), Uil)iclj lie ij6^ tlje mo?e in Danger of; becauCe Lukei.;, 41 ? z.

i)t teeletl) not, anD fearetl) not l)i0 Danger; %tt ijm Prov. 2 .. i+! '

fenoto Ijobj l)arD it 10 fo? l)im to kick againU tl)e aos 9. ?.

JP?ick0, auD l)Oi» booful to Uribe again!! Ijiis maker, ^^^^ 4J- 9.

lap l)im "at tljv frottol in fackclotl) anD aflje^, in

tears anD lamentation, crping out, 2^10 unto me joeU. 1,1,3.

tljat 3i t}abe fi'nneD, anD l)umbling I)is loul in true Lam. 5. i5.

contrition, anD loatI)ing ijimfelf, anD begging tl)p

parDoning anD I)ealing grace, ano begging ttje P?ap^ Pfai. n. jam. f .

tv0 anD communion of t{)p cfl:l)urci}, anD refolbing 2.0. Luke 31. i<^

to fin b^ilfuHp no mo?e, hut to libe before tl)ce in up^

rigljtneCs anD obeDience aH l)i0 Daps : €> let us p?e^

bail Untf; tl)ee fo? tlje conberfion oi tins Impemtent Gai. 5. t.

finner, anD fo fo? tl}e fabing of l)is foul from Deati},

anD tlje IjiDing, anD parDoning of l)is fins •■> tl)at i)t

ttjat isi loS map be founD, anD I}e tl)at i0 DeaD map Lulie 15. 17.

be alibe, anD tfje 3lngels of l^eaben, anD b3e tl)p

untt)o?t^p ferbants ijere on carti) map rejoice at ijis

70 ^ The Reformed Liturgy.

Ezck.33.14,16. repenting, let us fee t)im redo^eD bp ti)^ grace tljat
tbe map jopfuHp receibe I)im into our ccommunion,

2 Tim. 1. 2^. anD tf]Ou rnapel! receibe \)m at lalf into tt)p l)eabenlp
ifiingDom, anD ^atan map be tiifappointeD of l)iflf
IP^ev; fo^ tlip mercp fafee, tI}^ougl) 31efu0 Cl}^i5 our
%oiXi anD onip ^abiour* Amen.

A Form of Rejection from the Commnnion
of the church.

T uke 19. 2.7. lEfus Ghiift, the King and Lawgiver of the Church

Wic. 4. 1. J hath commanded that \lf n brother tre/pafi ngainfl

.15, JO ^^ ifp^^o 4^^ ^e^y /j/,« his fault between him and us alone,

and if he vpiil not hear w, xve fhall then take vpith m^

1 Cor. 5. II. one cr two Tnore, that in the mouth of two or three Wit^

nejfes, every word may be Efiablifhed ; And if he /hall
Tic. 3.10. ncgkdi to hear them, that he tell it to the Churchy and if

he negleEi to hear the Church, that he be to us as a Heathen
aThefj.^. Man^ and a Publican, Matth. 18. i 5, 16, 17.] And

that ate l^ecp no company ; if ar.y that is called a Brother^

be a Fornicator^ or Covetous, or an Idolater^ or a I{ailer^
l^ j^,or a Drunl{ard^ or an Extortioner, with fuch a one, no

not to ear. i Cor. 5. 1 1. And that we withdraw our

2 Sam. 11.14. Tel ves from every Brother, ibac walketh difordeiJy,

and note him, and have no co'npany with him, that

Afts 8. 24. he may be alhamed : z Theff. ^. 6, 14. According
to thefe Laws ofChrift, we have admonlhed this

2 Tim. 2. 25, offending Brother, who hach gr<'atly finned againft
God, and grieved and injured the Church, we have
26. earneftly prayed, and paticnrjy waited for his repen-
tance, but we have not prevailed. But after a] J, he
continueth impenitent, and will not be perfwaded to

I Cor. y. 13. confefs and forfakc his fin; We do therefore accord-
ing to thefe Laws of Chrift, decUre him unmeet for

Mar. iS. 18. the Communion of the Church, and rejedt him

from it 5 Requiring him to forbear it, and requiring

you to avoid him, and we leave him bound to the

Judgment of the Lord unlefs his true Repemancp

^ fiiall prevent it.

The Reformed Liturgy, 71

A Form of AhfolHtion^ and Reception of
the Penitent.

'Hough you have greatly finned againft the Lord, z Sam. 12. 13.
and againft his Church, and your own Soul,
yet feeing you humble your felf before him, and 2. Chro. 33,
Penitently flie to Chrift for nnercy, refolving to do
fo no more : Hear now the glad tidings of Salvati- la, 13.
on, which I am commanded to declare unto you.
I Johnz. I, 2. If any man fin, we have nn advocate ^om. 10. if.
with the Father^ Jejus Chri^ the righteous^ and he ts ^ -^^h. 2. i, z,
the Profitiation for our fins , f John 1. p. Jf we confejl^ John i, 9,
our fins, he is faithful^ to forgive us our fin, nnd to
cleanfis us from all unrighteoufnefi. Ifa. 55. 6, 7. Seek^l^z. 5-^. 5,7.
the Lord while he may he found. Call upon him while he
is near : Let the pyick^d forfake his Wny, and the un-
righteous Man his Thoughts, and let him return unto the
Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God,
for he will abundantly pardon, Prov. z8. 13. He that^'^ov.i^.j^.
covereth his Sins fhall not projper, but whofo ccnfejjeth
and forfaj^eth them fhall have mercy. Gal. 6, i. Ere- ^^' ^- 1-
thren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, reflore fuch a ' '^* ^'
one in thefpirit of meekpefi, confidering thy felf left thou
alfo he tempted. According to this word of Grace.

[* I do loofe the bonds here
* This muft be omitted Jaid upon you, and receive you Luke if.
it the p-rfon was not • ■ \. r^ ■ e -, r,^r- ^ -, ,-

firft Rejeaed. ^gain mto the Communion of ^J^o^;^-7»io.

the Church] requiring them ^^s g/g ' '""
to receive you, aud not upbraid you with your fin, Luke ij. 25,
but rejoice in your recovery. And I do declare to 2^7.
you the pardon of all your Sins in the BJood of pj^' \^' V^'
Chrift, if your Repentance be fincere. And I ex- j Cor/9. 25-.
hort and charge you , that you believingly and ^6, zj. '
thankfully accept this great, unfpeakable Mercy, P^^l- i4i' $•
and that you watch more carefully for the time to " ^^^' ^' ^^'
come, and avoid temptations, and fubdue the Flefli,
and accept Reproofs, and fee that you return not to
your vomit, or to wallow again in the mire, when
you are waihed ; but obey the Spirit and keep clofe
to God in the means of your prefervacion.

72 The Reformed Liturgy.

A Form of Thartk^giv'wg^ or Prayer^
for the Rejiored Penitent.

Rom. 3. If. f^ (©od merciful jfatlier, u\z t\)mk t\)tt^ tX^at

\J tl)ou hail b2oiiglir m nnux fo graciou0 a CoW
I Job. I. V. & ijenaut, as not onlp to par Don t\)t fin0 of our uure^j
i. 1, 1- generate date; but alfo upon our ^tmtmt confeffi;:

on, anD return, to deanfeufi^, fromaH ourunrigljte^
Pfai. IV oufnel^, anD parDon our faHe b)> tl)e blcoD of ^nj^iff,
^ '°3- J- anD to redone our im\0, anD leaD U0 again in t\]t

3PatI)B of lAigWeoufners, anD commanD t\)V ^tv^
Mat. 9. 1. iJant5^ to receitje rns. ZUt tljank tljoe t()at tljou IjaH

tl)us rel!o^eD tins ti)v ^feertjant, gitjing Ijim repent
Rom. y . « , 2., : . tanr e anD remiCTion of fin* [* anD re^ ^

turning I]im to tlje (Sommunion of :f !fJ*L°^^ ,

Pfal. 51. 11. tljp CtjUrcl]] mz bcfOedl tIjCC COm:^ Rejeaed

fort Iiim, Uiitli tlje belietjing :iLpp,2e^

Iienfions of tlip foggifeenefs anD reconciliation tf)^ougI)

1 Pet. 5. 10. 3|eru0 Qiij^iQ.^ iiieCo^e unto liim tl}e |0|? of ti)v fal^

Nation, anD upI)OlD I}im bp tl)V free fpirit ^ Qabiifi),

Aasii.z?. lirengtl)en, fettle l)im, tl)at Untl) full purpofe of

Iieart, Ije map cleabe unto tliee, anD noix> tljou Ijatt

fpoken peace to l)im l)e map not return again to fol:^

Pfai. 8y. 8. Ip, as i)t nauietl) tl)t ipame of cfl:lj^iS, let i^im Depart

2 Tim - ^^^^ 3^^^^^tyi a^^ n^^^i^ ^tio^^ Diftonour a;i)ee,

tl)p c^urcl) or tnitij, no^ I^ijs Ijolp p^ofeCfion, but

7 9. . fabe I}im from 2!remptation> 3ilet i)im toatcl) anD

Q.im fad, anD fm no mo^e, led too^fe befal Ijim*

]let l)im not receitje tl]i0 grace in tain, no^ turn it

Rom. z.ih into ^lantonncfs, no^ continue in fin, tljat grace
mai> abounD* 3i5ut let l)isi olD man be cruc ifieD toitl)

Mat. ^. I ^ ca:i)^iii, anD tl}c 3i5oDp of fin be DeilropcD ; tijat I)ence:^
fo^tl) f)e map no mo^^e fcrbe fin, remembging tofjat

I Cor. 16. 1 J. fruit be l)aD' in tljofe tl)ing0, Irijereof Ije is^ note a^
(lameD, anD tliat tlie euD anD toages of fin i0 Deatlj,
anD [H us an take Earning bp tl)e falls of otljer^,

John ^ 14. anD be not l)igli minDCD but fear ; :3inD let Ijim tl;at

rCor. 6.1. tbinbetli be UanDctl) take IjeeD led be falL ^etufi
loatcl) anD p^ap tl)at Ixie enter not uito temptation,
remembering tijat tbe flel]} is Uieak* 4lnD our 4iDljer:i
farp tl)e JDe\)il iralketb about ff eking U-.ljom be map

Judc 4. Debour* ^nD let none of ue bate our 3i5,20tljcr lu

our beartfi, but in anp boife rebuke our neigl)bour,

auD not fuffer fin upon bim, anD confirm us un:;

' to tlje mD, tljat toe map be blamelefs, ii) tlje JDay

cf

The Reformed Liturgy » 70

of our %tsp 3|eru0 slj^iff, to ixjl)om ixiitl) tljee, Sl>
;ffatf)er ! auD tfip igolj? spirit, be isingtiom, anO
Potoer, anD d^Io^p fo^ eten Amen.

APPENDIX.

Mar. 28. 19.

A larger Letany^ or general Prayer^ to he ^ J""^- >'• 7.

ujed at Dijcretiorj, xTim. r.17.

Pfai. 139.7,8,9.

0&.ij.7,4..ira. lO,
S^oi! l&olp, 3i5le(reD, ann (25Io?ious STrinitp, 17 Nth.9. Rev-
;fatl)er, ^on, anD igolp (2K}oa, tligee per^ +• ^-^ 1- e^-^.
fonjs^, anD one (0oD, Sinfinite in Potcer, jf- 4- ^|^- 47- 7-
SKtiifDom, anD CB^CDDnef^, our creator, l'^eDeemer,fJ\^'^ai 2
anD ^anctifier ; our pinner, (I5ol3erno^anD5fatl)er^io.Deut.3i e.
ijear our ip^aper^, anD Ijabe mercp uponu;8^, ^i^lvktl\.^.
ferable finner^* Aft. 7. $<;, 60.

€> ^o^D our §^abiour, toliofe incarnation, iRa:^ S?, ^' ^'•
tibitp, Subjection, :ffafiing, iremptation, lPol3ertp,Lukei'n *
mep^oaclje^, 4lgonj>, anD BleoDp ficeat, Scourging, M3t.4.'i, 2.
JDefertioit, arrucifping, ©eatl], anD Burial, toere aH 2. Cor. 8. 9.
unDergone to take atoap t\)t ^im of tfje Qiaio^lD:]^^'^-^^-^^'
iKUlp being rifen, afcenoeD, anD glo^ifieD, art tl^eL"^^^^- J^-^
great iP^ieff, anD P^opljet, anD ising of tI)P uni^ !;! MYrki ; U'
berfal cljurcf), fo? ixjijicl) ti)ou makeS ^jntercelTion, & 15. u- 'Corl
toi)ic() tljou Doeff gatljer, teacb, anD guiDe bp tl)p 15. 3,4. Job. >.
Ifepirit, 2[llo?D, anD ^iniSer^, totjicl; tipu Dod'-^'-Heb. 1.3.&
ludifie anD toilt gto^ifie iritl) ti))) felf, b;i)o Mt'-^.g^-'-^^-
come again, anD raife ttje Peiit?, anD iuiDge tljencb T'l'^joh*
dflio^lD in rig^teoufnef0 ; <HLie befeecl) tl)ee Ijear U0i.. ji.'Mar.i^!
ai^iferable S>inner0 : call m not out tl)at come i\n^ 10,10. iCor.n.
to t^ee : #ake Cure to u0 our calling anD election, ^i^. 4. & f . i6,
our unfeigneD f aiti) anD repentance, tljat being iix^i^ ^rVief '^' '^'
fieD, anD maDe tlje Son0 of dBioD, ijoe map l}ate peace ,^ joh* ^/^^I'
toitl) l}im a0 our neconcileD C5oD anD ;5Fatl)er. AdV.. 7. '^i.joh*

3flet ouri)eart0 be rig!)t toitl} tl}ee our dB^oD, anD^.^y.^PeMio.
fieDfaH int\)f cobenant, caufeu^toDenpour felbe^, iT^ii^i-^ aos
anD gibe up our felbesf entirelp unto tliee, our Cgeato?, n y • ^ _^\ J^- ^^•
.l^eDeemer, anD ^anctifier, a^ being not cur oU5n,,c^;/J.,'8;pf.
\Mt tl)ine> 78. 37VMat.!^. 3 i

Hitt tip igolp fpirit DtoeU in U0, anD fanctifie u^ iCor 80- • iCor:
tl)^ou3l)out, tijat i»e map be neto creature;ef, anD f)olp ^' ^9^ ^o-

a^

74 i he Reformed Liturgy.

Rom. 8. 9. ajs tljou art igol)^ i let if be m ujsf t\]Z fjiirit of 4lDop:2
1 Thef.y iv tion anD fuppticatioii, sm tlie feal arin enrneU of
1 PcT" /■ iV' ^"^ C351o,2iou0 31nhpritance anu let usf knoto tijat toe
R«m.*8' IT.' ^^^ ^^^i"£^- 3"^ tliou abiDeff in \X0 b^ tlje fpirit ix)I)ic^
Zech. iz. 10. fijou ija({ giben \x^.

Eph. I. M, 14. lifS n]v iSame, SD ?Lo^ti i^ Igoli?, ant> tl}P glo^)>
T ^t '■ ^' ^u K ^^'^^^'^^^ fi)C igeal;en0 fo let tlje (iartl} be fiHeb toitt)
T ^ Luke I '^ t^PP^^aire^: net our ^oul^ eber fli^agnifie tijee S!>
Vial .<6 17 & ^0.-^ ■ ^"1'^^ ow^ SToiiguejef ertol tliee. ?Let m fpeak
Hf. 5.6.7, ^,'1, of tl)e glc,ziou;6f l)onour of tl))> 09aie3p; oftf)i?(25;eat^
ii,&:c.zi. nefs;. tI}pii5otner> tl)p glo^iou0 BmgtnDm. tijp dfflfif::;
Dom. ipolinef^, SETriitl) aiiD iRigljteoufaefe: , tl)p
^CDDnefs^, tl)p Q^ercp, anD tl)p txioiiD^oii^ oxio^k^ !

Let all Fieli blefs chv Holy Namd,

]fa i5 <? Dcut ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ 0"^ ^^"^^ b^ ^0 f ^)>^ iliame : saufe
ji.\2.& 10.12, W-S^ to lobe tijee toitl) all our tortja^ to fear tijee truU
20, 21. pfai.-,.^ ia t[)tz anD to Deligljt m tljee, auDbefati^fieo in t^ee
«c 37.4.&16.5. au our Portion, aaoioljat eberiueDoto uo it to tiw

-'°+^Ph'i 2 '\i' ^^^^^ "^ f^o"^ 31no?Dinate felf lobe, from F^iDe,
JR.m. i.'is'V^.' anD bain (Blo^p. anD felf feeding anD fromDi(6onour^
Mit. J. x6. i\% tl)ee, tljpiCLio^D. o,z ^erbice in t\)z iflio^lD.
Pia'.^y.z,;. let t^e SUo^lD acknob)leDge tljee. tlje^niberfal
& 2. 8. II. j^iiig^ (23;j^^ .((^P gjQj^ l-lj^ l^eatljen fo? I)i0 31nl)eri^

iT7m''2^i'+ ^^"^'^' ^"^ t^)^ utmoff part^f of tlje cartljfo? {)\is;

joh. li. W. PoCTelTion: 3let tl)e isingDomfi of ttje (iflio^lD become

& 1 2, 3 : . I)i0 l^iiigDom0 J conbert tl)e ^tl)eiilical, 3lDolatrou0,

Phu. 2. 20, 1 1. 3|nfiDel ci©al)ometan. anD ungoDip il^Iation^of t{)z

cartl; rliat eberp iSnee map bob? to orlj^itt, anD ebe:^

rp STongue confeCe l)im t\)Z %m% of ifiingfif, anD Itlo^D

of i^o,:D0^ 2^0 tlie C^lo^p of (2^oD tl)e j?atl)er^

fTheV'Jt ^^^ ^^^^ ^^"^^^ ^f ^^^ 0ingDom anD s^albation be

Dan. 123. ' P.2eadjeD to all tl)e 3^o?ID. let it l)abe free courfe anD

U" . 49. 6. be glorifieD ; anD h^ t^e ipolxier of ti)^ Spirit con^

Mar. 9. 58. bert manp unto €i}?ift. anD let i^imbe tl)t> ^alba:^

Th^f ' '''* ^^"^^ ^° ^^^^ ^"^^ ^^ ^^^^ o^artlv S)enD foztl] mo;e ?la^

1 Thd'i'li ^ow^^r0 into tl)e igarbeli, tnliicl) i^ great,' anD fit tl)em

fo^fo great a too^k -. anD Deliber tljem from unreafon^s

able mo toickeD men, t\\^t to fill up tljeir rin0; fo^biD

tljem to fpeak totlje ipeople, tl)at tl)ep migl)C be fabeD^.

Luke 18. 7. jDeliber tlje (irl)urcl}e0 t()at are opp^eOTeD bp ^jDola

Luke Yl" \ 0 ^^^^' ^al}omt tan0 0? otI)cr ;f .nfioel^ anD a^nemies .

iPec. z.if. & ^^^^ ^^ t^JP^^f^a"^'^ IP^uDence, ^patience, ano

3.14.17. sc 3innocenfp, tliatfufferingaycftliziliian^. anD nota^f
4- 15, 1^, 19- &iJil 3Doefj0f, tijep map not be afljameD buf map glo^
wicah 7.7- rifietlite anD toait for t\)\> ^albation, committing
Mat, J. II, 11. fug beeping of tlieir ^oula unto tijoe, in tjope of a
»eU)aro m igeaben» v Pe^j

ThelTeformed Liturgy, 7S

JDeliber ttjecijurcl) from ti)e aSeman Papal (afiir^Piai. 119. lu.
pation0anD<a:o?rupf:ion5^, nifpeltt)eDemijerof i^ere^ ^^^- i>-9,i3-
fie^, anD falfe mo^f^vp, bv ti)e Iigl}Cof tfivp^eliailing i^h^ '^',0 '^'^^
arrutl) ; finite aU ca:f)^illuitig in (S^ly^m 3!efu^, ti)e true iVktiz zf zs
anD onlp dJniUf rfal ^eat) : arijat bp tl)e true eli^iSiau ^ Pet. 2.' *
cCatljoUck :JfaitIi auD Idobe, tijep map groto up in ijim, Jude
anD map ka^p tije mnity of tl)e Spirit in tljt bouD of ^^im. ?. 9.
B3eace; tfje firongreceibing anD bearing tlje Jlnfirmt: ^^ . ^' '^' '^'
tie^ of tl)e toeak ; igeal tlje Dibifion^ tijaf are among Rom 14 i
BelieberB; let notljing be Done tlj^ougl) firife 0^ bain^ x i m. *
glo^p, but in loblinef^ of minD ; let ead) el!eem otljer Jer gz. 39*
tetter tban l)imfelf, ^nD let aU menknoto tl)at toe are ' ^^r. no.
(^t^^iUsi JDifcipIeB^, bp our ferbent lobe to one anotl^er* it'*/' \

Xttu0 be fjeartilp anD entirelp tl^p ^ubjert^,belieb^ Eph '' I ,
ing tl)at tlpuart jul!, auD tl)eEetoarDer of tljem tljat Rom.?.26 Heb.
Diligentlp fo^k ti)ec^ JSeep ms from ^tljeifln, 3iD0latrp, ^ T'i.Eph-z.a,?.
anD JDifqbeDieuce; from 31nfiDel itp, SngoDlinef^, anD ^."^^s^- ^- »*•
i^enfualitp; from ^ecuvit^, p^efumption, anD Defpair> ur^' ^' ' '*
?let U0 auDp to pleafe tlje^ in aU ti)ing0 : let tl)p Kom 'g' zl'

-Jlato be to^itten in our ijear^, anD let u^ Deligl)t to Do Coi. 1'. to. Hcb.

M)V ^ifl ; let our jFaitl) anD ?libe^ be ruleD b)> ti)^ ^. 10. Pfai.40.8.

.iBHorD, 'oQt^ici)\0 able to m.ake U0 toife unto ^alba-^ ^'a. s. zo Afts

ition; let u0 lobe it, fearcl) it, anD unDerSanD it, J"^* |l\^ v"^^ -

. anD meDitate in it Dap anD nigi)t. Jf, f ?9 Like

net U0 not pleafe our felbe^ 0^ ptljer men againii24.4f.pfai.i.2,

t^ge, no^ be leD bp tlje toifDom ozDefire^of tlje^o^tD, Rom. im, z.

anD jflelb, no;i regarDlping banitie^, no^ tlj^ouglj^a^-'-^o- iCpr.

, carelefneffi^, ra(l)nef0, 0^ p^eCumption, offenDt^ee^ R'^''5f"^*Vh
450 all iBatious muS be juDgeD hv tl}ec, let tl)em be f '"g"';^;*. ';/*;"'

.:ruleD bp tl]P laixi0, anD not make tljem boiD bpmen0 i/i^ Roir.2!

-^TraDitioue", no? too^ftip ttjeeinb^in, teacijing fio^ 16. Micah4.z.
i©oarine tl)e cfrommanDment0 of men* 3i5ut Wljat eber Mat. ly. 3, 5,
tl)ou commanDefi, let tl)em take 1}ced to do ! lettljem ^ ' ['

;i:aDD noti)ing tljereto, no? take ougijt tl}erefrom* ^^-i *
ilet U0 not take tl)p iplp igame in bain, but ufe Exod.^oj.Pfal,

Jt in trutl) anD reberence^-iseepus from aHBlafpljemp, R). 7. Jer. 4:2.

.perjurp, Ipiopljane fijoearing, from lpin« before tl)e Mar. 15. 19.
(Bod of STruti), ano from contempt auD fo?getfulnef0 1^""'^ Y' r*
of tt)P p^efeace, from falfe, untxiortli{>, unreberent ,\i\l'f^l'lo
tl)Ougl)t0ozfp©d)e0of(I5oD, anD tjolp tl)mg0, auD from Mai. i.<^,7,'izl
neglecting b? abufing tlip l)olp oiUogD anD orio^fiiip^ 6c 1. 1, 7, s, 9.

^elpu0 to ka:p l)olp ttjp JDap, mrememb^ance of tl)e Rev. i. io,
bleflfeD ixjo^kof our E^Demption, anD reberentlp to at:; Aa. 20. 7.

^ tenD tliae in publick 2jUo?{I)ip ; anD obeDientlp to r eceibe 'Cor- 1^. 2.
ti)^ idio^D, anD ferbentlp to call upon tl)pi|^ame auD f^^. ^ °-J^-
.toDeligl)tourfelbe0in2n)ankfgibmganD)opfulp?aife0 j^^; ; ^'
to tl)p I5olinef0 in tt)e communion of tl)p^aint0,anD ah.?. 42,*^.

jfff let

y6 The Reformed Liturgy,

praL98.&c.i4/!et US uvt^uUv fee tliat our 5)ounjoil>jer, anu all toitljin

1. jofh. ZA' !)• oiir gate0 Do fcrte t^o?^ atiD not abufe tliv i}oip JDa)>»
Exnd. to 1 0. j^g^p mere p on tl)e isingjff aiiD l^ul er0 of tl)c cEar tf),

PfalT'l-r r^ 6 ^^laf ^1^^* "^^^ f^l-^P^ ^^^ €cmptation0 of (LMO^lDif

Lukei8.2.4,iV<25^^atner8f, i^.onourflf, anD p^fperitp, totjicli tooulD
I Cor. 1. 15. f apribatp tlK m to tlje fled), ann nzaUi ttieir t)rart5^ from
Luke IT. II. ttift, tliP 3C.a)r0 anD ifliav^, anD tooulo engage tl}em a^;
J^^' j^. ^V ^'^ gainfl th^, anD t.hv ^crbants , Znr) as thep are tl)p
tVi'Tif^^^9 QPiniUer^, ann 30agi(lracv i:6r tt)me iZD^Dinance, Ian*
a% i Chron. cti&e anD Difpofe tlirm to be il^urfing jfar Ijerjff to tl)>>
T9. ^. eiinrch, to oton tlip ^fntereff, anD Rule fo^ tljee^

V^m. 4-. 10. C'frer iaKp habe mercv on tiro ^er\3ant Char ei our
1 Kia ^ 1 9ii I. j^ing ; illuminate anD fanrtifte ^im b^ tiw i)olv ^pi::
illJ,^jl% rit, tliat abobe all tdmga tie map frek tliv (3to^p, tt)e in^
aKmgsiS.i.i,^. crrafe of jfaitlianD £Dber)icncetotIip3taU)0, anD map
Rom. n. 4,V ruIeu0as^bemgtIipa3inilIerfo?gCDD,nottobeaterro,z
1 Tim. 1. 2. to gdiDSllo.zkjsf, but tcc^bil; tl]at unr^er l)im ine map leaD

a quirt anD peaceable life in all goDIineCsf anD lioneU)>^
PfaL72.iPro.8. igabe mercp upon an tl)e iSopal :ffamilp, tije %o;l}isf
i6.Exod.i3.i7.oftf)ecounaI,anDaIItf)ei0obilitp, tlje JiuDge^, anD
ifa ^?' - ^mCtVcites of ttiefe llanD;0f. ocaufe tl)em to fear tt)(t,
Luke I SI ^^^ ^° ^^ eminent in ^ob^ietv, Kigl)teou(hef0, anD
J 2 , ) 3 . ' * C5oDlinef0, to piottct the "J.nnbcent , anD be a terro^ to

tl)e (laiit-feeD, bating 31njUiIice,sobetournef0anD p^iDe*
Rora. 13. I 6. !leteberpfoulbefubjeatotl)eigig!jfrU5ob3ersf,anD
1 Pec. X. 1 3.' not refill* 51et tijem obep tbe Sing, anD all ttjat are in

1 Tim. z. t. 4lutlio2itp unDer him,not onip ro,2 to:atb, but fo; conCct::

mc£ rafee,a0 knoUiin^ tl}at tliep rule bv tl]ec,anD fo^ttjae*

P . (23ibeaIItbearl)urelie0able, (}0l)>, faitl^'uHPatfo/^r,

\ Tim s" 1*7 ^^ ^^"^^ ^^^^"^ laboiiouli' to p:eacb, anD riglitlt> to Di^

2 Tim. 1. IS. ^i<^^ t^f ^o^D of trutl), to feeD tip F^ opie toitli motors
jcr. V u. leDge, anD leaD them in tbe Uiap of jf aiti) anD ilobe, of
a Tim. 4. r. s igolinef^ auD i^eace, anD to toatcli (ox ttjeir fouls a0

2. zr. & I. n. f jjcfe tl)at muH gibe account ; obcr:;faing anD ruling
iVcili^'x i ^^^^^ "°^ bpcondraint, but toiUinglp, notfo?filt!)p

'^.' ' ' ' 'lucre, butof areaDv minD, not a^ being !Lo^D0 obec

ti)^ igeritage, but a0 tlie ^erbant0 of all, anD (Jrn^

lample0 to tlje jfloeli ; STljat tol^en t^e cljief ipafio^

il)aU appear, tljep map receibe a croton cf (Slo^p*

?Ut tbe qo:ongregation0 tmoto tljofe tljat Ijabe tt)e

iThcCi r .^.^wJ'ngoft^em, anDareobertbemintt)eilo^D,tl)atla^

Hcb. iV 17.* ' bouramongtbem,p2eacl)ingtotbcmtbeMio^Dof<Z5oD»

I rim. 5. 17. 3fi,et tl)em fubmiffibeiv, anD obeDlentlp bear, anD

eQeem tbem berp l]igl)l)> in lobe for tbeir too^b0 fafee,

anD account tl)m )xo;ti)v of Double Ijonour*

Epb 5 4. ^^^ IParent0 b^ing up tljeir cbrt D^en ni tbe il2ur ture

anD 4lDmonition of tlj? Jlo^o, Diligcotlp teadjing tl;fm

The Reformed Lrtftrj^y.

•^7

ttfp moitj, talking • of it tol)en tljep are in tf^eir f)Oufe, Dcm. 6. 6,7.

anti tefjm tliei? Voalfe bt> tt^e toap, totjen tijep ipe Doton,

ano bherr tfieprife upi tl)at tl)ei) map knoto rl)cir cre^ Eccl. 12. r.

ato?, KeDa>mer, ano ^anctifier in tlie Daps of t(^eir

potifli : 41nD caufe Cljilo^m to f)ear lobe, Ijonour, am Eph ^ i 2 ?

obep tljrir i^arent^, tl^at tliep map I)abe tl)e bieffing ' '

of tliine efpedal p^omife unto fuel}*

%n Jlgu0banD0 lobe tlieir 2lUibejef, ano pzuoentlp Erh. s. 2^, i^.
guiDe tljem in knotoleoge ano tiolimts. 41nD let p--.^. 1,7. '
©Hibe0 fobe, Ijonour, ano obep tijeiv i^,u0bano;^, a;9f c^^- 2- ^a.
meet i)elper£f to ttiem*

?Let mi<$evs rule tfieir g^erbarttsf in igolfnef^ ano Eph. 5 9 ^
^ercp, rememb^ing tl)ep f]abe a iS^ntier in igeaben,
ano let ^erbantjer reberentip, finglp, ano toiHingb'
beobeoient anoooferbicetotljeir ^iQer^a^totfje
Jlc^i3, rromljim ejcpecting t()eir retearo*

Beep m from ^uroer, Oiiolence, ano all injurp to our r Job. 7.1^,
neigJjbo^fif fife, 0^ fjealtl], from TTialice,furSng,rebiiing L'^^ ?. 14.
ano unaDbifeo atn-jer : ^et 110 not reCl! tbil )x>itt} ebil, if""' 7. 2.
but forbear one anotlicr, ann not gibe plate to Ui^atlv Rom'jf ""r- ^'

J^oep u^ from 41ou{f erp, jforniration ano all ixndem:^ Fph. 4. 7. '' *
nef^, ano tije occafions ano appearances tljereof* ?Let Rum. 12. 19.
U0 talie care a0 becometl; faints, tl)at tljt^ be not immo:^ ^^^c. t . 2 , 2?.
Oefflpnameoamongus^ anot()at no«:o;2ruptcommu^ iC rA^^Rcrn,
nication, proceeo out of cur ^cutljs.^ 0ecp us from \^*^p' il ' ,1:

Cljambering ano toantonnefs, from luffful tl)OU^()ts, 4.19. 1'pcc 3:2,1.
ano an immooef! attire, bel}abiour, lojfes ano actions* Job 31. 1. "^' *
iacep US from ^l)pft ano ^ppzefSon, ano anv toap Eph. 4.28 pfai
to^onging our i^eigl)bo? in Ins P?op?ietp anO ofSate* 62. 10. & 73. s!

Beep u0 from jfaife bjitnefs^bearing, Iping, anO oe^: ' Thef. 4. 6.

ceibing > from flanoering, backbiting, unjUJi, uncl^ari^ Pov^i^.y .& 12.

table cenfuringo^ rep^oacl)ing, from an perberting ofH^^j j°;^pfai

plaice, ano hj^onging tt)e reputation of our iReigl)^ ly. 3.'&8'i. 2.
bour, ano from aU confent or oelireof fuel) tegongs* Lev.i<, 17.

Beep us from cfnbp, ano from cobeting anp ti)ing p^ov. zj.
tl)at is our i|ieigl)bours, to l)is bj^ong, ano from fak^ Gal. 5. 21, z6.
ing our oton, 0^ o^ab^ing to ourfelbes, to tlje injurp of E^p^- ^0*17.
tfi0 Welfare •, but let usi lobe our i|^eigl)bours as our \^^^- ^' ^ '•
lelbes, ano 00 to otl)ers as b^e tooulo tljep Rjoulo 00 & ; Z.^" ^^'
to m^

2EreacI) m to lobe clj^iS ano l)is i}0\v Blmage in l)i0 Mat. i f . 40.
fl^embers, toitl) a oear ano fpeeial lobe, ano to lobe i Pec. 1.2^.. Mar.
our (Enemies, ano p^ap fo^z tliem tijat l}ate anO per^ ^ 44^ ^; Jr45.
fecute usi, ano to 00 gcbo to all as bne are able, but ^^^' ^' ^^'
cQseciallp to tl)em of tije l)ou(Ijolo of jfaitlj*

Caufe us b3itl3 patienee to fubmit to all tije ©ifpo^ PCai. ^9. 9.
fals of tl;p caiill, ano Wit ti)}> drno, ano to lobe tij? Ma.. 16. jo.

;ffffa m^

78 The Reformed Liturgy.

Afts M. «4. nemonffration^ of t)i\v l&olinefje;, auD 3|u(lice, tl)OUfil|
Jam. 5. 7i 8 11. gricboufi to t\)Z f\t% auD keep uje: from impatient
J Kin. 10. i^. jai^urmuringjff, an?) tiifcontcnt, anO arrogant reafon^
Mai. 3H- »4- uig agamU tl)p ^in.

Luke 1 1 . n • <25itje u0 our Dailp b^ean, our neceffatp fuHentation,
Dcut. i8. -^5. ant) p^obifion fo? tl)p ferbice, ant) let U0 ufe it fo^ tfjee,
Rom. I ?. 1 4- anD n^t to fati;6fp tlic flefl; -, let U0 ticpenD on ti)a, ano
^"h^ ' '^'/°* ^"^ ^^^ f^^ ^^ ^'^ ^^ laiofui ufe of ttie mean0 ■■> anD
IohIJ'4 ^^f-^^ ^^'^^ ^"^ Iabour0, anti gibe ujb tl)c fruits of ti)t

cartif in feafon, aiiD fuctj temperate b^eatljer a0 tenH^

eti} tljereunto*
Tte^t'>% 6 8 K>eliber U0 anD all tl}p ^erbant^ from Old) toantjef,
&c Pha*2.'z7.tiiffreire0,grief;ff, anDficknefe, a0 iioifl unfeafonablp.
pfai. 101 . 24. tafee ujBf off tl}j5 ftrbice. ant) from untimely oeatt) ; 4InD
Luke 1 2. : o. teact) u0 to batue antJ retjeem our time, anB icoo^ti \xX}i\t
Eph.s-i^. iti0tiav^

joh. 94- 0eepu0from (I5lutton|>, 3D^unfeennef0 an& all

Rom. M- n- intemperance; from aotl) ano iolencf^, from ino^Dinate
Jy^^^^".^- , tiefire0ofpleafure0, ogabunoame^ but Ijabmg f coD,
Eph 4. z8.' ano liJaiment let U0 be tl)ereb3itl) cmtmitli^
Pro.ii. 17, ilDf tt)p abundant mercp. tluougi) tljefacnfice anB
& 2.3. 4. merit0 of tlip ^onacco^oingto tip p^omife, fo^gibe \m

1 Tim. 6. 8, 9. aH our fin0, anD fabe U0 from tljip DeCerbeD togattj anD
Pfai.ji. I. conDemnation* Kemember not SS> ^o^D our offence0,
w h R ^* ^' ""^^ ^^^^ offences of our fore^jfatl)er0 -, but tljoug!) our
Dan 9' 6''i6 31niquitie0 teilifp againd U0, ftjare m anD fabe U0
jer. 14.7.' ' fo^ tl)v mercp fake ' £D let not our fin Dep^ibe m of
Pfai. 31.16. tl)p fpirit, 0? of accef0 unto tl)ae, or communion toitfi
rfai. 51.11, tfjae, o^ of t\)^ fabour o^ comfort, o^ tt)e ligfjt of t^
»i» 'Q- • (Countenance, o^of eberlaUing life*

u^'e i[. I *^^"^^ "^ ^0 fo^gibe from our ^eart0, tfje Jlnjurie^
Rom.- 12. 19. t)one againtt U0, a0 b^e ejrpect to be fo^giben bp tljee
Luke 6. 28, 29. tl)c greatef! Debt* iSeep U0 from aH rebengeful De*
Luke 14. fire0 anD atrempt0* ^CnD Do tljou conbert anJ parDon
Aft. 7.60. our afnemie0. aanDerer0 opp^eao^0, iperfecuto^0,

anD otljer0 tl)at l)abe Done U0 loo^ong*
Mar. 25. 41. ^g^p u0 fxom ruuning upon HDcmptation^, tuffec
^m. 4. 7. not tl)e tempter bv fubtiltp o^ impo^tiuhtp to corrupt
jo^b'^T^'' cur 3iUDgment0. ZBi^Hs 3lffection0, o^conberfati;:
Mat. 11. '3^. on0* Caufe U0 to maintain a Diligent anD conftant
Hcb. 2.10. toatcl) ober our t!)ougl]t0 anD lieart0. our fenfe0 anD

2 Tim. 2. 3. appetitP0, our top;D0 ano action0; anD a0 faithful

1 Job. 2. 13. £^oulDicr0 bp tlje conDUct anD flrcngtlj of tl)e Captain
R-'m"^ 8 1 ^^ •"^ ^albation biiti) tl)e U)l)Ole 41rmour of <^0D,

2 Tim. z. 8.' to reiia auD obercome tlje ^o^lD, tlje jOebil, anD

tlje Sf\i{i) unto tljc (EnD*

^abe

The Reformed Liturgy, 79

^abe \x» firom t\)t STempCation^ of ip^fperit|>, I'^ov. 30. 8, 9.
ma 2tDberfitp, let iijef not fce D^ton from tij^ to fm ^ ^°^-^- '^» ^^-
i)p tfje pleafure0, p^ofit^, 0^ l^onourief of ttje ©loglD-, mTi ?' ll\i
(Icengt^en U0 fo^ fuffermg^ef, let u^ not fo^fafee ti)tt, Mac' 8. 24.* *
0^ fafi in time of trial, Ijelp ujef to Denp our felbe^, Kom. 8. 18.
sxiXi take up our ca:rof0 anD foHoU) ^\^ii% accounting
tfje fufferings^ of tl)ij6f p^efent time, uni»o^tfjp to be
compareo "ooitl) tfje glo^p to be rebealeu*

^eliber U0 from t^e <Enmitp anD Kage of ^atan, M:^t. 6. i?.
anD lji031n0rument^,anD gibe not up tl)p ^erbantjef, ^i>"^- 1^ i^'-
tljeir s&oul^ 0^ ^igfooiejsr; tfjeir peace 0^ Jlibertie^, j^^^^- J^?:^''»^*
<rCate0o;i^ame0, to tl^eir malicioujSf ^KUiE;?: ^VLt^r'A\m7i\
fabe Uj8^ anD p^eferbe m to tljp J^eabenlp BingDem* ' '

• iwie a0k an t\)\is of t^oe, €) ?logD •' ifo| t^ou art i Tim. 1. 17.
tlje uniberfal Sing, l)ol? anD jutt. to h)l)om it belongs P^'- W)- v-
tti) in rigl)teoufnef0 to juDge tl)e oaio^lD, anD fabe t^^ ^yf ^7. 31.
people =, M pob3er 10 tl}ine to execute bj^tfjuponfu'^eu if^^*
tljim o^nemie^, anD to Deliber anD glo^ifie tl)p jFlocIt ; i xher' i,\o.
anD none 10 able to refil! tijfie : S)f tljce, anD tlj^ugfj Pf.6z.i.&i47.
SThee. anD to Ctjee, are all tl)ing0, anD tlje glo^p i- Job 9. 4.
:ftail be 2?l)ine, fo? eber^ Amen. Kom. n. 3^,

The Churches Pra/fe for our Redemption^
to be ufed at Dijcretion.

OCHr &oul0 Do magnifie tl)ee, ^ 3io^D .' our fptritjsf Luke i. 45.
rejoice in (^OD our ^abiour, b)I]o rememb^eD E^'^- '3<5ij.
U0 in our lob? anD loll cffate^ fo^ \)i^ mercp enDU:^ j^''?' I' ^^■
retij fo? eben T5v one man fin enrteo into n)t Ujo^Id, Rom ^ 1?°*
anD DeatI) bp fin : b»e feept not tlje cobenant of (2BoD, .^ ^ Vs.
anD refufeD to bialk m lji0 Jlab) : ^0^ all l)abe finneo Luke i. 6%,
anD come l^o^t of tl^e glo^p of <0oD, anD luDgment ^p 70.
came upon all men to conoemnation* But bleCTeD \ u' '^*
be tl)e lo^D ma of in-aei, tl)at l)atlj bifiteD anD re:: Man ii
DeemeD l}i0 people anD fjatl) raifeo up a migl)tp fal:; Luke 2. iz',
bation fo?u0 in tbe l)oufe of ^i^ ferbant David: 3t^
^e fpafee hy i\)t moutlj of \)i» Ijolp p^opl^etflf, bil^iclj.
I^abe hzzn lince tl)e bJO^lD began : ^ 2iirgin Ijatl) con^^
ceibeD anD b^ug^t fo^tl): 2n)e igolp d^^off Did come
upon l)er, tlje potoer of ttie igigljeHDiD ober:jg)aDobJ
^r, tljerefo^e tl)e Ijolv ilDne tljat i<$ bo^n of Ijer, iii
caHeD, tl)e ^on of (Sod: igis i^ame 10 calleD Jei'
ft^, J^ ^fabetl)i)i0 people ftom tljeir finjBf: 2^0

;ffff 5 ■ uM

8o 2 he Reformed Liturgy.

Col. I. Is-.

1 Pec.i. i^i-S.
a4-

lief 10 bozn a ^atiiour, iutiidi ifS €\^iS. U]t ^o?t) t

!&e is tl]e "^mage of the inbifible (Bot^ tljt firll bo^n

,^ 3- of eberv mature, fo^ bp t)im aU tliiiigjef are createD

^' "" t 'It are in heaoen ano in earth, inO'jie ant» inbifible,

toh'ther sLwms o^ JDommions^, o? IP ancipalitiejff o^

jp vu-evje^, all thin^e toere createD by him aiiD fo^l)im,

anD Ije i^ before aU tl)((ig0, anD bp l)im aH ti]in^to

t Cor. 1. 14- ccnriff. ige 10 the po\iier of (Bod, aiiD the (Kriifoom

inhni q 14 ^^ ^0^' ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^S^)^ ^^)^^ Ughtett) eberpman that

jqimi.y. h- ^q^^^^j^ into the £tto^ : €[]t illnzD tDa0 maDe ftell?

auD n^coelt amorift ii0, auD 2^en behelD l)i0 (B\o^v a0

the (S^lo^i^ of ti)e oiiip begotten of t^e :ffather, fuH

Col I 19 ^^ 2^^'^^ ^"i» ^ruth, fo^ it pledfeo tlje jFather that in

u»i +. 4- ^)i^ (I)OUiD an fuliaef0 ntoeH* OjUljen tl)e fulnefe of
time aia0 come, C5od feat hi0 ^on maDe of a WXo^
man, maDc miner the ?labc, to reoctm tljem that are

Mat. 1 7 .^ umtv the ?latx»* ^l)i0 i0 tt)e belobeo S)on in tohom

Hcb - 2.6 ^f father i0 Ujelf^pleafeD* jFo^ fuel) a i^,igh-)P^iett
■'' became U0, ixUio 10 ii^olp, igarmteija, fflinDei&leo, fe;^

parate from finner0, l)e DiD no fin, neitljer U)a0 there
anp guile founD in l)i0 mouti), Myen Ije U)a0 cebileti,
i)e rebilen not again, leabingu0 anc^nfample: iciljo
iii0 oton felf bare our Um in bi0 olon boop on the

ifa. n ^, 6. Wvet: Jfo^ (S^otJ iaiD on him the iniquitp of U0 all,

Rom 5 6 an^ bp tii^ llripe0 tee are healer>* mljm tee teere
teithout Crength, in cue time ch^ifi tJieo fo; tlje un^

1 Pet ^ is S^*^^^^' ^^ ^^'^ ^^' ^^'^ unfutt : Jn this tea0manifeff

1 joh.'4. 4. the lol^e of (15co totoarD0 U0, that (feot) fent hi0 on^
Ip begotten ^on into the Mio^lD, that tee might libe

Kcb. i.i' 15. bP '^^i^* Jfogafmuch a0 th^ ^hito^en teere idarta:?
ke^s of fied) an^ bi^otJ, Ije himftif liketeife tcok part
to.ti) them, that t)t might DeUros^ through oeatt), Ijim
that ha.i th^ po-ripr ov Dc.iti% that i0 the ©ebil ; anD
migi)t ot ibti' tljem, teho ti)<20ugh ftar of ©eatfj,

Col z 15. teere aH neirlife tfme (uyiVct to bonoage^ igabing
fpoiIeD p^ziufipatititjb anr: jpoteer^, h^ itiaoe fljete of
tl)em opmlp, truimphing ooer them in l)i0 crof0*
ige toa'5 burieDauo rcte auainthe thirD Dap acco^ing
to tlje ^cripture0, fo? dPoD raifeo l)im, habing KnfeD
ttjepainercf J-catij, bec-ufe ittea0 not poflfiblethat

Aas2. :4. jj^ ii)ou\ii ^e hoioen of it, f)e hatl) aboUdjeo DeatI],

aT»m.i. 10. gj^j, ^^ought Me anD 3immo,2talitp to light bpthe
(15ofpeL ilD 3Deat() ! tel;ere is tl)p ^ting i k[> (JB^A'ot •'

i Cor. 1;. 5 J- tDhere i0 thp <Uicto^pf

\A 9 9 ^^ Ipoteer 10 giben him in l^eaben anD Ofarth;

Mir. 18. 18. ^jjgj^ 1^ afcenDeD up on I)igh, he ieD captibitp captibe,
anD cjace gift0 to men : 3lnD l)e s^be Tome 4IpoCle0,

anti

i Cor. 15- 4-

The Reformed Liturgy, 8i

ano fome id^opfjet^, anD fotnc aebangeliffjef, mo Eph. 4- »» »i,

fome i^aSo^fif, anD fome STeacljerj^, fo^ ti)t pevftct::> ^-,13.

ing of tljt ^int0, fo? tlje to^k of tlie ^inilirp, fo?

tt}e (Knifpmg of tlje IBoDp of clj^iff, till toe all come

in tl)e unitp of tlje faitlj, anu of tlje fenotoletJge of tlje

S^on of <0oB to a perfect man ; fje i$ fet at (!5oti$

rigljt I)anD in tl)e cfrelettial^, far abobe all IP^mcipa^: Eph. 1. 10, 2%

Cities, anD Ipoloer^, ann (©igfjt, anD JDominioii, ^^,^h

anD etjerp name tl)at i0 nameD, not onlp in tl)i0

©uo^lD, but in tl)at to come* (25oD I)atl) put aK

tl)ing0 unner Ijisi (ezt^ anD gabe t)im to be IjeaD obcr all

tl)ing;8r to tl)e Ci)urcl), Mjtdj i0t)i^BoDp, t^e fulneCe:

of Ijim tljat fillet!) all in all*

mitljoixt controberCe great 10 tljesippllerp of (0oiJ^ i Tim. 3. x6.
linefsr: (Bon manifelleDin tl}t fled;, juCiaeD in tlje
S^pirit, faen of ^ngeljtf, p^eacIjeD to tlje (Bentilesf,
iieliebeo on in tl)e QUo^lD, rereibcD up into <IE>lo^)(>*
%l)i0 ig tlje 3Reco^D, tl)at (Boo ijatl) giben uies atternal i john 5. n.
life, anti tlji0 life i$ in l)i0 ^on =, Wit tl}at Ijatl) tlje
^on ijBtt) life, anD Ije tlj&t ijati) not tijt efeon l)atl) not
life* ige toa^ in tlje mo^io, anD tlje mio^Id toa^ John 1. 10, ti.
maDe bp Ijim, anD tlje mo^iO feneto Ijim not ; ige
came to Ijis oUin anD l)i;0oton receibeD Ijim not* Wi)i0 jobn 3.19.
is tlje couDemnation tljat ligljt 10 come into tlje
iDO^lD, anD men lobeD Darknef^ ratljer tljan llgljt,
becaufe tljeir Jdms are eUL Wut asi manp aflf re^ john i. u.
ceibe Ijim, to tljem gibe^ Ije ipotoer to become tlje ^ons
of <0oD, eben to tljem tljat beliebe in Ijiis il^ame* Rom. 8. i.
Cljere iis tljerefo^e noto no conDemnation to tijem
ioliicl) ar^ in orlj^tt 3flefu0, ^^0 'walk not after tije pczi 103. 3.
fiel!) but after tlje fpirit* ^e fo^gibetlj our iniquitieSj Keb. 8. iz.
anD toiE remember our CinjBi no mo^e* ©iilio IbaH lap
anv tljin% to tije cljarge of (Boos mecti 3|t is (Boo Rom. 8.33134-'
t^at juffifietl) ; toljo i0 Ije tljatcouDemnetl)^ 3it i^
Clj^iS tljat DieD ■> gea, rather tljat is viten again, toljo
10 eben at tlje rigljt IjanD of <Boo Itljo alfo maketl)
interceffion fog U0* mijo gabe tjimfelf fog U0, tljat xit.z. n, 14.
Ije tnig^ reDcem U0 from all ^iniquitp anD purine to
Ijimfelf a peculiar people 5ealcu0 of gcoD too^k0* 3:f Rom. g. 9.
anp mail ^a^^ ^^ ^)t fpirit of cjrljgiS, tlje fdmi i^

^retoafljeD, U>earefanctiti^C5, u:e ait ;Ui^itiec iu cije
^ameof tlje Jlcgi 'JiiU's, anD l-^> tijc ipiat c: luc
Cl5oD* f^ot b^ \5?c:fe0 uf waj;-.»ieoulati.3 1 ljici> Ut ijabe
Done, but accogDih^ to ijts mcccp ijt f^ieD u.^ Ip tlje

j? f f 4 tUuH^

82 The Reformed LitHrgy,

Tit. J. f. hjafl^mg of !f?egpneration, ano rrnehmtg of rtje !^olp

Rom. ;. 1, 1, 5. (0t}oll» 4InO btinj luffifieD bf faiti), toe Ijabe peace

totrt) (ZPotJ tf),:oiigt7 our 5(Lojti 3|efu^ Cfj^tff -, bp toljom

alfo Uie Ijabe ^Irccf^ br faitli into this grace ttiljerein

•Ire IIani>, anD rejo^^r e in ticpe of tbe gto;p of dJoo ; aim

l)ope mafeetl) not aftamcu, becaufe the lobe of (2i5oD iK

ffeer) abroao in ourhcartjS^, hy t\)t J^olt? (5hofJ bjlif c!) ijfi:

io. gibrn to m^ jfoz if to^en iue toere ehemiej^ toe toere

reconcileo to c!5o6 bp tl^e neatb of fjijg sfeon, mucfi mo^e

Rom. 8. r- ^^"^3 reconciletJ, toe fljall befaben bpfji^Ufe ^ l^ethafc

fpareD not [)ij& cton ^on, but gabe {)im up fo;i m ^II>

!]oto (f)an tje not toitf) I)im alfo frcelp gibe m all tf)ing0?

John 14.2,5. J^etljat 10 gone to prepare a pf ace fo?u.0, toiUcomea^;

g:iin anD receibe U0 to Iiimfelf, tijat tof)ere i)t iis, tljere

jjhn 17. 1^ toemapbealfo.3l|ti0iii0icnintf)at tl)eptl)attf)e JFat^er

tjati) giben Ijim be toiti) !)im toljere l)e i^, tijat tdep map

John 1 4. » 9. ^^W^ tfie (fi^lo^p that 10 giben l)itn^ 3!5ecaure he libeti)

Col. 3. 3.4- teP fl^aH libe alfo •, for toe are oeaD, an5 our life i$ Ijin

toitf) Ch^iS in 0OD : iflihni ^h^tff toho i0 our fife ftaH

appear, then fljaH toe alfo appear toith hitn in glo^p;

iThef. I 10. tohenhelfjall come to be glo^ifieD in l)isi ^RintB, am

to be acmireD in all them that do beliebe^ Zljtn (Jail

Mai / 18 ^^" tiifiern bittxieen ti)e mof-jtecuis anD the([ffl[ie6eD,be::

^^' fto0:!nthoreti)atrerbe(BoD,anDthofe that Cerbe him not*.

Mac. 13. 4^ 9rhen(J)aIltI)eKighteou0fl}inefi:i;jtha0the ^unintljt

Rcv.ii. 7. fiingDom of their jfather* iCethatobercomethlJanini:

Mar. I y . 2 1 . h^rit all tl)ing0* ig e ©all enter into the iop of hi0 lo^D*

Kev.3. 12. |gef!;air be a pilar in the^cmple of (25oD,anD(|)aIlj3D

. out no mo^e* €lyj{t toiU grant him to fit toith ^1^^ iu

' ■ l)i0 ^h^one eben kg he obrrcame anD 10 fet Doton toiti)

t^is jFather in hi5 Ch^one, h^ ^^J^ re oice ober U0 toitl)

z-ph. 3. T7. icr,hf toiHrett inhi0 lobe : orbenin the holp cii:itp,ti)e

Rev. zi. z. neto jerniakni, pgepareD ajff a 3i5^^iDe aDo^neD fo^ her

.3. hU0banD, tohrre the CafaEcnac le of (0OD toill be toitl)

men, anD he toiH DtoeH toitti ttiem, anD thep (IjaH be hi0

peop! e, anD (0oD himfeif (IjaH be toith them, their (25orr,

4 auD (Iiall toipe atoap all tearjB from their epe0, anD

there fl?aTlbe no mo^e Death, no; fo^roto, no^ crping,

no; pain, (0^ thefo^mer things are paCfeD atoap* 4ltnD

2 J . tiie <iLity neehetl) not the S^un, c; the ^rni to (him in it,

fc; the (25lo;p of God Doth tigh^^" ^U ^^i"^ the 31amb iB

Rev. 11. J. ^he5fl,ighf thereof. ^ht^^^^^^ne of C5oD anD of theilamb

4. fijall be in it, anD hi0 S»erbant0 (IiaH ferbe him, anD

I Tim ru 1 V. ^i^Tl Xee \)iB face, toho 10 the lidlefTeD anD onip ipoten:::

}j:om. II. 36. f.ite, the iiing of ji^^ingK, anD ^02D of 3fi.o;D0: of him,

. . 2rh zoirgf) him, anD to. him are au things ; So l)im be

S^OiP fOT ebetv Amen. •" ' V- ■■ '■ ^ ■- ••' ■ ■■

FINIS.

A N

INDEX

Qf the principal Matters contain'd
inthisFirft VoiUME.

A.

ACTS of Parliament, Obfervations on feveral re-
lating to the Nonconfbrmifts. AH of Vnifor^
mity^ IT). — 183. Conventick'Aa, 308. Ojf-
ford'AH^ 3 1 1 . — 3 1 3 . Cmventkle-AH renew'd, 3 28.
AH of Toleration, 444, AH againji Occafional Con-
formity^ 715.

Addreffes, from the Diflenters. To King Charles 11,
' Addrefs of Thanks for his Declaration for Ecdefiaftical
Affairs, 152. Another, 312. Another, 333- On
the Declaration of Indulgence ^ 1672. 335. To King
James II. The Refledtions caft on the Diflenters for
their Addrefles to him confider'd, 377. To King
fV> Hi am . On his coming to St. James's, when Prince
oi Orange^ 387. To him and Queen Mary on their
Acceflion to the Crown, 423. On Queen Marys
Death, 539. To Queen Anne, On Her Acceflion
to the Crown, 621. On the Vi<^ory of B^mel'-^
lies, 6<^'i. On the Vnion, J 10. On the difappoint-
tnent of the Pretender's Attempt on North-Britain, 7 1 9.

An'fip^dobaptijis. Many of them in the Parliament
Army. Harrifon the Head of 'em, 68. Croinwe/,
tio* a favourer of them at firft, difcountenancesthem
afterwards; particularly in Ireland, where Ludlov>
headed them, 69, 70. Mr. Baxter's firft acquain-
tance with ihem at Gloucefter, 76. He thought him-
feif oblig'd to preach againfl their Sentiments at €0-
.;;•;- ^ '• . ^•' ■■ ■ ^-- '■ ventrjf^

An INDEX.

ventry^* 80. Forc'd upon a publick Difpure with
Mr. T^w/'/, one of ihecn, 105, 106. His moderate
Sentiments of them, 113. His Overtures with Tome
of them for Peace, 135.
They join with the other DilFentcrs in an Addrefs to

Queen /tnne^ 6^1.
Antrim [Marquifs of] an Infh Rebel's recovery of his
Eftate after the Reftoration, upon producing the
King's Letter of Inftrudtions, 43. Vindication of
the Author of the abridgement for inferting this Paf-
fage, 44.
Apocryphal Lefforu. Diflcntcrs Reafons againft them.
Debates with Mr. OHyjfe and Mr. Hoadly on this
Head, 232. — 234.
Arminianifm. Mr. Bnxter*s Judgment of the Contro- '

verfies about it, 113.
Articles^ of the Church of England. Mr. Baxters Ac-
count of the Senfc wherein he and many other Non-
conformifts fubCcrib'd them, 469. Bilhop Burnets
Expolition of them. See [^Bumct,
Ajjembly of Divines. How call'd and conftituted.
Their Chara£ler vindicated from Lord Clarendon's
Jlefledkion, 82. Their real Character. Limited in
their Debates. Lift of the Members. The Five
Diflenting Brethren. The Vow every Member took
at bis AdmifTion, 83, 84. Hiftory of their begin-
ning, progrefs and publick Acts, 85. The Members
• of it moft Conformifts till the Wars, 49. DilTolv'd
with the Parliameni: by Crowrp<?/, 69. Their Advice
defir'd about accepting the Covenant. An Explica-
tion of it v/bich they obtained, 80,81. The yinnotn-
tions caird by their name wrongfully. The Authors
of them, 86. They had no Power to Eje£t any out
of Livings, but to judge of the fitnefs of thofc
l)rought in, 87. Their ConfefTion of Faith wrote
againft by one Parkier, J03.
Ajfent nnd Confent to the Common Prayer. Why refused
by the Nonconformifts, 201. — 238. Debates be-
tween Mr^OHyjfe and Mr. Hoadly^ and the AiithcH",
about the comprehenfivc Senfe of the Words, ^Jjent
and Con/cnt, 203. — 206.
AJfoclation, Of the (4^urcejierfhire Minifters for Church-
Order and Concord, fet on foot by Mr. Baxter,
The Names of thofe conccrn'd. Their Meeiings-

Oc-

An INDEX.

Occaiional Ledures fet up by them in the County*
1 1 6. — 119. A like Ajjociation of the Mioifters of
PVeftmoreiand and Cumberland^ 1 1 8.
Athanafian Creed. Nonconformifts Reafons againft de-
claring Aflent to the damnatory Claufes in it. De-
bates with Mr, Olfyffe and Mr. Hoadly about it, 235.

fiaftifmal B^generation, Nonconformifts Reafons againft
declaring their Affent and Confent to it. Debates
between Mr. OUyffe and Mr. Hoadly, and the Authqr
about it, 206. — 210. ^ •

"Bnxter, [Mr. B^charff] His Parents. Time and Place
of Birrh, 2,5. Education in School-Learning, 3.
How diverted againft his inclination from going to
the.Univerfity. The helps he had inftead of it, 3, 4.
Perfwaded ro try a Court Life ; but difliking ir, re-
turns to his Studies, Jhid. Benefit he bad by a pious
Education, 5. Follies of his Childhood. Means of
his Converfion, 6. Long doubts about his State.
Benefit of that Exercife. Means of his Satisfacfticn,
7. — II. Entrance on the Miniftry. Epifcopal Oi-
dination. Firft Settlement in the Free-School at
Dudley, II, 12.

JHis firft Thoughts of Conforraity, 12. Farther Study
of that Controverfie, and the ilfue of it, 13. Re-
move to Bridgenorth, His Work and Circumftances
there, 14, 15. Led to farther Confideration of the
Hierarchy by the Et C<t em Oath. Hi$ Thoughts
thereupon, 1 6. Complained of for Nonconformity,
but efcapes Troubles, ip.

Cccalion of his coming to Ksderminjler^ 21. Oppofi-
tions he met^with there at firft, 22. Indefatigable
Labours, 24. Eminem Succefs, 26. Circumftances
contributing tojiis Succefs, 27.. — 34. Carcof Difci-
pline among his People, 34. His Cafe as to the Se-
queftration and Income oiKjderminfter Vicaridge, 56.
His Condu6l: during the publick Troubles. Endea-
vours to keep the medium between Extrcamsj cen-
fu *d for it by both Parties, 74. Adheres to the Par-
Ji-m lit while he thought their Caufe juftifiable.
Takes and reccommends the Proteftation they order

\ on occafion of th^ Infio MafTacre, 75, But endea-

yours

An INDEX.

vours to keep his People free from taking the Cove*
nant and Engagement y 1 04.

Forc'd, when the War broke out, to retire to Gloueefter^
Has Contefts there with the Anabapifls and Antino*
tniansy 76. Returns to IQfderminfterj buc forc'd to
retire again to Coventry. Is chofen by the Committee
thereto preach to the Garrifon, ^^ 78. Stops the
progrefs of the Anahaftifis there, 80.

invited by Cromxvel to be Chaplain to his Troop, but
xcfufes, 88. Afterwards becomes Chaplain to pf^hal-
leys Regiment, in hopes of putting fome ftop to the
Sedaries in the Army. Is coldly received there by
Cromwel, 87, — 89. His pains with the Army, 89.
Publick Diipute with fome Seiftaries, 91. Impedi-
ments to hisSuccefs, 93. Forc'd to leave the Army
in the mofk critical Time by a great lofs of Blood,
ihid. Returns to Kjderminfleri hast publick Dif-r
pure with Mr. Tombs ^ 105.

5651 . Writes diffwaiive Letters to the Souldiers, when
going againft the Scots ; and openly bears his Tefti-
moay againft what was then doing : But is let alone,
106, 107.

The Medium obfervM by him and his Neighbours in
their Carriage under Cromxvel*^ Government, 1 07. — ,
1 09. He preaches before him, 1 09. Has a Confe-
rence with hira, li©. Brings the fVorcefler/hire Mi-
nifters, Epifcopal, Presbyterian, and Independent,
to agree in a Method of Church Difciplinc, 116. —
J.. 1 18. Sets on foot the {Vorcefierfloire Petition for the

^ hiiniftry^ I/9.

Is called up in Cromwers little Parliament to be of the
Committee of Divines for drawing up a Scheme of
Fundamentals. His Debates with the reft on that
Head, 1 20, 1 2 [ . His Overtures for Concord among
the fevcral Religious Denominations before the Re-
ftoration, 1 22. His endeavours with the Epifcopal
tarty. With Archbiftiop V/her^ 405. With Bifhop
hrownrigy i22. With Dr. Hammond, 137. With
Mr. N>f, as to the Independents, 136. With
Mr. Lamb and Mr. AUcriy two fobcr Anabaptifts, 1 35.
His Debates with one Mr. Jobnfon, about the «e-
celTity of Epifcopal Ordination, ii2. — 135. With
the Papifts, 138,

Cofucs

An INDEX.

Comes up to London between Richard's Prote(^orfhif)
and tbc Reft oration, 294. Preaches before the
ParJianaent the Day before they voted in the King:
And a Thankfgiving before the Lord Mayor for
Monies Succefs, 295. Made one of the King's Chap-
lains at the Reftoration, 1^9. Is offer'd the Bi(hop-
rick of Hereford, 151. One of the Savoy Commifli-
oners for reviewing the Liturgy, 153. Draws up
fhe B^formd Liturgy at the Requeft of his Bre-
thren, 158. See it at large, Appendix p. i. Chofen
• Jin, 1661. with Mr. Calamy, Proxy for London for the
enfuing Convocation ; but both fet afide by the Bi-
fliop of London, 159. His Reform'd Liturgy pre-
fented to the Bifhops with a Petition, 1 60. Chofen
by his Brethren one of the Difputants attheS^-oo)-, 164.
His management as refpondent in that Difpute upon
the head of Impolitions. The Reflec^ons caft on
him for it, and his Vindication, 168, — 170.

Outed of i^ederminflcr upon the Reftoration, the feque-
ftred Vicar re-entring. Earneftly defires any Settle-
ment there. The Lord Chancellor pretends to in-
terpofe in his Favour, but to no purpofe, 296, 297.
Porbidden by Bifhop Morley to preach in his Diocefs,
who keeps up the Kjderminfter Le(St\jie, and endea-
vours to aUenate the People from him, but in vain.
Mt, Baxter's Advice to them at parting, 298. Re-«
moves thence, and waves correfponding with them
to prevent Offence ; but cannot efcape the Cenfures
of the high Party, 299. Nor of his own People aft
terwards for his Moderation, 300. The Vicar dy-
ingy he might have had the Prefentation ,• but could
not Conform, 301. Hefollicites the People to join
with the Succeffor, but could not prevail when they
were imbitter'dby Perfecution, 902.

His Labours in the City till filenc'd. After occafional
Preaching, fixes Lecturer at St. Dunfians wiih
Dr. Bates, Obtains Bifhop Sheldons Licence. At-
tended by a great Auditory, 302. Has a week-day
lLe(3:ure in MUkrftreet, Once a Lord's day at Blackr
friars, 303. Defifts from his publick Work Three
Months before Bartholomew day. His Reafons for
it, 304.

Retires to ASion in Middlefex, purfues his Studies^ and
attends the publick Worlhip, oniy preaching to his

Fa-

An INDEX.

Family, 310. The firft Conventicle AH expiring.
An. 1670 he preached to others with his Family in
the Intervals of Church time. Imprifoned for this^
fix Months, 323, 324. Hardfhip and Iiijuftice of that
Profecution. Imeroeiri-'rrs for him, and his Dif-
charge, 315, 326. Overtures to Dr Oven for art
Agreement with the Independents, 327.

1671. Has a great Lofs by the (hutting op of the Ex-
chequer, 333. Takes out a Licence pon the Indul-
gence, 167^. Chofen ooe of the firft Tucfday-
Ledlur^TS at Pinner s-hnlL Has a Friday Le(^ure at
Fjttcr.lane, Refufes any fettled Place on Lord's-
Days, 335.

1674. Seized for a Conventicler upon recalling the
Licences, but rcleas'd on a Miftake in the Warrant,
342. 1676. Obtains the Relcafe of Kjting the
Informer againft him, then in Prifon for Debt* Is
profecuted at'refh. Forc'd to defift from fome Meet-
ings he fet up in tVifiminfier. Preaches in Southward,
fome Months without Difturbance, 346, 347.

1680. Hurryd violently out of his Houfe when fick,
upon feveral Warrants for Nonconformity. But his
Commitment fafpendei by the King's Order upon his
Phyfician's Oath that his Life was in Danger. All
his Books and Goods feiz'd and fold, 357.

1 684. Seized again in a languiHiing State, carried
three Tiroes to the Sclfions-houfe, and bound over,,

• without any Crime alledged, 363.

1685. His Trial and Fine by Jeffreies for his Para-
phrafe on the NeW'Tejiament^ 368.— 972. The
Fine remitted, 375.

Upon King James's Toleration, preaches gratis Four
Years with Mr. Syhcftevy till difabled from coming
abroad : Then in his own Houfe, till confin'd to
his Chamber and Bed. His laft Sicknefs and Death,
402, 403. His Will, 404. His Correfpondence
and FriendPaip with many eminent Perfons, 404,
• 410. His primed fi^ui /iff 410.

The Benefit he received by a Courfc of bodily Weak-
ncfs all his Life. His Temptations to Infidelity, and

Relief under rhem, 3po. 394. The Difference

he obfervM in himfelf between Youth and Age, 394*
— 399. His remarkable DelivcrarKes, 399. Much
confulced about Cafes of Conrcieru:e, 408.

His

An INDEX.

Vils Senfe of th fuhfcrihed Articles, fee inferted here,
p. 469.

His frequent Concern in Propofals for Accommodation
between the Church and Moderate DifTenters in
King Charles Il's Time. See in [^Nonconformity,

Behmemjis. An Account of them, 103.

Biddle, An Account of him and his Followers, 1 04.

Burial-Office, Nonconformifts Reafons why they could
not declare Affent and Confent to it. Debates with
Mr. Ollyff and Mr. Hoadlj about it, zz^, 227.

Burnet, Bifliop of Sarum, His Declaration in King
James's Time of the moderate Tenaper of the Church
towards DilTenters, 426. His Acknowledgment
fince how little his Expedtations were anfwer'd, 427,
His Sermon of Peace and /Union ^ 455. \^h Expofi-
of the "^^ Articles^ 565. The Proceedings in Convo-
cation about it, 605, 606, 607, 60S. Several Tradts
pubhlh*d for and againft that Expofition, 643. His
Speech againft the Occafional Bill, 1703. 647. His
Defence of Aichbifhop Ti7^o^yo», 538.

C

Canonical Obedience. Nonconformifts Reafons againft
taking the Oath relating to it, 238. 258. De-
bates with Mr. Olljiff and Mr. Hoadljf about the Senfe
of this Oath, 238.

Carolina. The Hardftiips put upon Proteftant Difleripi
ters in that Plantation, contrary to their Charter.
A Petition to the Houfe of Lords in England upon
that Occafion. The favourable Refolutions the^
pafs'd in the Cafe, 686.. 688.

Charles I. He approves the Canons of 1640. i6i
The Diforders in Scotland upon his impofing the new
Common- Prayer- Book there, 17. Uneaifinefs i^
England upon his exacting the Tax of Ship-Money,,
Scots twice enter England with an Army, and a Paci»
ficationas often made with them, 18. Opening o5
the Long Parliament. Union of the Members au
firft in their Complaint of Innovations, upon dif^
ferent Views. Compliances of the King in fome
, Particulars, 19, 20. General Cry againft Delin-
quents. Profecution of the Ectrl of Strafford. Se-
veral Members upon that Occafion fall in with thjs

King's

An INDEX.

King's Interefts, 37, 38. The Pleas of thofe who
were againft difpleafing the King, and of thofe who
were for vencuring that rather than not have Grie-
vances redrels'd, 39, 40. Several Incidents that
heightned the Differences, 40,41. Proceedings a-
gainft the Five Members. Lord Digb/s appearing iii
Arms. Srijh Maflacre, 41. King Charles's Com-
miilion to the Marquis of Antrim^ 43, 44.

Opening of the War. The King deny'd Entiance at
HuB. He and the Parliament feverally claim the
Militia. Both publilh Declarations juftifying their
Caufe. Parliament Vote an Army, and EJfex Ge-
neral. The King fets up his Standard at Not-
fingbam^ 45. Charadter of the feveral Parties that
adher'd to King and Parliament, 46. The Pleas of
thofe that adher'd to the Parliament, 50. Many
forced to join the Parliament- Army to avoid Infulis
at Home, 52. Some Account of the War, under
EJJex, 51. And the new modcU'd Army, 51.— .35.

The King cafts himfelf upon the Scots, who deliver him
up to the Parliament, 55. The Army take him"
into their Cuftody. Seem not to defign his Death
at firft ; but on a fudden cry for Juftice againft him.
He flies to the Ifle of ^ight, 56. Treats with the
Parliament, they vote an Accommodation. But
Crommd by Force models the Parliament to his
Mind ; brings on the King's Trial and Death, 57.

• F4»>/4;t' againft it, but overpower'd by Cromxvel^ 58.
Evidence that the Papifts had a confiderable Hand
in it, from Du Moulin^ Prynne^ sit\d 4tf(im, 57—60.
Marg, The zealous Endeavours of the Preslfyterians
10 prevent it, 60, 61.

Charles II. Scots adhere to him after his Father's
Death, offer him the Crown upon Terms. He cakes
the Covenant, and publifties a Declaration in fa-
vour of it. Cromwel invades him in Scotland^ routs
him and Mafters the Country. The King advances
to England with the Remains of his Army. The
Impediments to his expedtcd incretfe here. His De-
feat Sit fyorcejier, and Efcape, 63. — 63. Imprifon-
ment of feveral Presbyterians for holding Correfpon-
dence with him, and Love's Death on that Ac-
\:ountj 6^6,

The

A» 1 N D E X.

The Steps to his Reftoration. His Behaviour to feme
Presbyterian Minifters thac went over to him, 72, 73.
Letters from fome Proteftanc French Minifters, certi-
fying his Firmnefs to che Proteftant Religion, faci-
litated his Retutn, 2p4.
His ParJiament awaken'd. An. 1673. to a fenfe of the
danger of Popery. Their Proceedings thereupon,
337. Debates in the Houfe of Lords upon impofing
on them the Oath of Non-Reliftance, 344. The
Popilh Plot, and its Confequences, 348. Mr. {{ofe"
weU*s Profecution for High-Treafon, 363. — 365.
.The State of Nonconformity in bis Reign. See in
^Nonconformity,
Church of England, See [Convocation, Danger of the

Church. Epifccfacy.
The Church of England^ as a National Church, a meer

Creature of the Civil Power, 701. . .^

Church Government, Mr. Baxter's middle Scheme of it

between the feveral contending Parties, in.
tiviifVar, between King (r//<ir/r/ the Firft and his Par-
liament. See [Charles L] and [Cromwel.
Clarendon f Earl ofj. Reflections on a paffage in hia
Hiflory^ relating to the Aflembly. 82. He draws up
the King's Declaration for Ecclejiajiical Affairs. A
Conference between the Church Party and fome
Prelbyterian Minifters at his Houfe, before the King
and feveral Peers upon that Declaration^ 149, 150.
He gives them after the Savoy-Conference fome hope of
pafling that Declaration into a Law, 181. Writes 4
Letter to Sir i^. Clare at Mr. Bnxter^s requeft in Fa-
vour of his Settlement at Kederminftcr : But this a
ttieer Complement, 296, 297. Zealous for the Ox~
ford'A^, 311. His Difgrace, 316.
Commijjions Ecclejiafiical, See [EcclefiuflicalCommiJftons,.
Common- Prayer. See [Liturgy.

Coriftrmation. Nbnconformifts Rcafons againft it, as
pracSic'd and required in the Church of England^
Debates^ wiih Mr. Oll^jfc and Mr. Hoadly about

Convocation. That of 1 640. which fram'd the Et C<t^
teraOathy 15. The long Parliament warm againft

The Convocation 1661. Court-Policy in deferring it fo
long after the Reftoration. Arts us'd in che Choice, i s 9.

Ggg 1689;

An I N D E X.

Crijp [Dr. Tobiaf\. The Contefts among the Diffenteris
for feveral Years, upon occalion of the f epriniing of
his Sermons, 515, 516. 5'io. 537. 549. 550.
560, 561. 564.

Crommll \Oiivery Joins with Vane 10 lay afide Ejfex^
and new models the Army. They obtain the Self-
denying Vote. Put out with the reft of the Mem-
bers of Parliament : But foon obtains a Difpenfation
for himfelf. His Intereft in the new modeird Army
Supream, tho' ¥tiirfiix had the Name. Heads it with
People of his own Opinions; Ufes the Army to mo-
del the Parliament. 53. — 55. His fubtle Manage-
ment when the King was in the Hands of the Army,-
56. To prevent an Accommodation with him, puts
a force on the Parliament, and brings oii the King's
Death, 57. His Management of F^iVfdA:, while the
Stroke was giving, 59.

After the King's Death, pretends at firft to be for a
Commonwealth, 6z, The Impediments in his way
to the Crown, 63. His Succefs againft the King in
Scotland^ 64. And at Worcefter^ 65. Seft up for
himfelf, and puts an end' by Force to the long Par-
liamenr. His firft Methods to eftablilh his Govern-
ment. Calls the little Parliament, who are prevail'd
with to refign their Power to him. Inftaird Prote(ftor
upon an Inftrumcnt of Government drawn up by a
Jun^o of Officers, 66. — 68. The manner of his
Adminiftration. Weary of the Sedlaries, and fup-
prefles their Power. His Death, 69, 70.

Mr. B^AT^e^'s Judgment of him, 71. lOp. The middle
Way many Minifters took in their Behaviour under
his Goverment, 108.

Cromxvel [_Hjchar(f\ fucceeds by his Father's Will. Ge-
neral Submiflion to him. Calls a free ParHament,
and 18 own'd by it. The Army diflike him. Af-
fembly at H'aUivgford-Houfe depole him, upon parti-
cular Ambition of the Leaders, 71, 72.

Crofl in B*pttfrn. Mr. Bnxtcrh early Thoughts of ir, 1 3.
Nonconfoinufis Reafons againft u(ing it, and denying
Baptifm to thole that will not ufe it. Debates wiih
Mr. Ollyjfe and Mr. Hoadly on this Subjedt, 216.^-
219. Complaint of the Lower Houfe of Convoca-
tion againft unnccelfary private Baptifrrs, becaufe

they

An I N D E X

they occafion the uridue PraHice of bapcizing with^
out the Sign of the Crofs, 655.

a

Danger of the Church. Clamour about it on the mifcar-'
riage of the Occ^fjonal BUI. The Pamphlet, catrd.
The Memorinl of the Church 0/ England, 680, 681.
Paffage of the Queen's Speech relating to it. De-
bates and Proceedings of Parliament about it, 68z.
—68^. Both Houfes of Convocation agree in an
Addrefs to the Qpeen, declaring it out of Dan-
ger, 696.

DavH [^I{icharcQ, The Diffeniing Minifters Declaration
againft forae of his Principles aud Pradtices, 511,

Declaration concerning EccUfiaJiical Affairs^ 1660. See
[Konconfcrmity,

Difcifline. Mr. Baxters Thoughts of it, 14. His
Gare about it at Kfderminjier, 34.. . The method
obfcrvM in ic4>y the PVorceJier/hire AiTociation, n 8«

^^i)'/, BifliOp of SrfM/'ttr/s Gharadser, 174^

E,after'Dny. Reafons of fonne Npnconformifts againft
declaring Aflcnt and Confent to the Rule in the Ru-
brick for finding it out. Debates with Mr. Ollyffe
and Mr. Hoadly about it, and a farther confideration,
of the Matter, 227.— Z31,

BcclefiaJiiealCommiJfions, That granted /4m. 1660. See
in [^Nonconformity.

That in King James the Second's Time. The Gom-

miffioners. All Eccleli^ftical Affairs committed to

their Care in the largeft Extent. Open'd ^ug,^,

1686. Some of their Proceedings, 374, 375. 385,

That An. 1689. Debate in the Houfe of Lords, whe-*
' ther any Laymen fhoaid be inferted in it. Carry 'd
in the Negative, which fome Lords proteft againft,
442. — 444. Dr. Tillotfon faid to advifc the King to'^
tfiis courle of aCommiflion and Convocation, 445^
The Form of the Commiflion^ 446. TJhe Com--
miflioneis. They agree upon feveral Alterations,
Aich as would have brought in many Diflenters, 447j>
44^» Some Light as to their Proceedings from Bi-f

An INDEX.

(hop Bumety 449. Bifliop fVak,e, 4«;o. Dr. Nichols,
451. A more particular Account of their Proceed-
ings from fome Minutes of them, 452. Summary
of the reafonings of the Church-writers at that
Time pro a.nd con about this Commiflion, 457. — 461.
En^agemerty after the Death of King Charles I. Moft
of rhe Presbyterian Minifters refus'd it. Many Epif-
copal Divines took it, and pleaded for it in Print,
' 61, 6-^. Mr. B«.xr^tf> fpake and preach'd ae;ainft it,
and anfwer'd the Picas of fome Epifcopal Divines for

Etfqnir'y iftto the Cortflitution of the Primitive Church.

The Scheme of that excellent Book, 516. 513.

Epifcf^pn'cr," The different Sentiments of Men about it

up(?>n the £r Cccrffr^ , Oath, 16. How Mr. Bnxter

came to think the Englifh Epifcopacy unlawful, 16.

King Charl /s firm adherence to it in bis Difputcs with
■^ the Parliament in the Ifle oi tVight. The Divines
-6F both Parties that debated it before him, 57. How

far* Mr. Tfnxter thought the Englifh Seheme tolerable,

111. What he principally diflik'd in it, 1 J4. His
overtures with Bifliop Brownrig for Concord between
thofe of the Epifcopal and Presbyterian Perfwafions,

112. Abftrac^ of the Debate by Letter between
-i him and Mr. Johnfon about the ncceflity of Epifcopal

Ordination, and uninterrupted Succcflion, 123..^ — .
J 3 5. Papers between him and Dr. Hamrtiond about
an agreement with thofe of the Epifcopal Way, 1 37.
The Presbyterians offer'd to fubmit to Archbifhop
Vfr^cr's [{eduRion of Epifcopacy^ J41. That inferted
at large. 145. — 149. The Nonconformifts Reafons
againft declaring Affent and Confent to Bifhops,
Priefts and Deacons being three Orders of Divine
Appointment, 221. — 224. Bifhop 'Ly^rc'-'s moderate
Sentiments about Epifcopacy exprefs'd to Mr. B/ixter,
405. The Contefts between the Swearing and Non-
fwearing Clergy, about adhering to thedepriv'd Bi-
fhops. See in [_f{pvolutiov.

H-rnftintis. What Mr. Bix^er judgM good in their
Scheme, 1 1 r. And what he diflik'd in it, 1 1 3.

Excotnmunicatiov, Konconformifls Exceptions againft
many Grounds of it prcfcrib'd in the Canons, and
dgainfV the Power of it being in Lay-hands', 240

249- 253.--i57-

"■• • - E

An INDEX.

F.

Fairfax [Sir Thomas}. How he came to be pitch*d on
for General of the Parliament-Army, when new
modeird, 53. Againft the King's Death, bucover-
power'd by Cromwell, 58. Lays down his Commilfi-
oniipon the War with the Scots ^ 59.

Forms of Prayer, See [^Liturgy.

Frewen, Archbifliop of Tor}(s Behaviour at the Savoy
Conference, 171.. ti;^\.

Fundamentals (f Religion. A number of Divines ap-
pointed by Oliver's little Parliament to draw up a
Lift of Fundamentals, Mr. Baxter one of them.
His Debates with the reft about it. The Defign
nuU'd by the DilTolutionof that Parlia^ment, 1 20, 1 21.

G.

Gelt and Gibbon, Two Leaders of the Sedaries in the
Army, 103.

Gunning [DrJ. His Behaviour at the S4voy Confe-
rence, 175.

H.

Henry [Mr. Matthevf>1. A Sheet of his, call'd, The
Layman s ^eafons for joining in Stated Communion with
a Congregation of Moderate DiJfenterSy inferted at large,
672.- 680.

Hide. See [Clarendon,

Hinchman^ Bifhop of Sarum, His Behaviour at the Sa-
voy Conference, 172.

Hoadly{lAx,Benj,~], His Anfwer to the loth Chapter
of this Abridgment, 659. His Sermon on B^m,i'i, i.
and the.Clamour upon it, 691. A fummary of his
principal Objeftions to the roth. Chapter, and the
Anfwers that have been returnd to bim, faffim in
Mnrg, from f, 199. to f, 285. Some Reflexions on
bis Defence of Rpifcopal Ordination, 7 1 5. 718.

Howe [Mr. John"]. Scheme of ha Anfwer to Dr. Stil-
lingfleet ^ Serwow, 355. His Sermon of the M^ans to
allay Animojlties among Protejiants, ^6l. His Cafe

, of the Protefiant Dijfenters reprefented and argun^ in-

G g g 4 ferted

Jn I N D E X.

ferced entire, 419. -^39. His ^equeft to Confor-

tnifts and Nonconform ifts touching their Temper and Be-
baviour upon the Indulgence^ inferred, 4895.— —498.
His Anfwer to the Preface of Dff-F<7«r's Enquiry, 577.
His Letter concerning Occafiontil Conformity, not before
publilh'd, 579.

I.

Jacobites, See [}yi/liarn IIIj

Jmpofitions. Debate of the lawfulnefs of itnpoGng in-
different Things as Terms of Communion, in the
^4«/(5> Conference, \66.

Independents. What Mr. Bnxter approved in Hieir
Scheme, 112. and what he difapprov'd, 115. His
Overtures with Mr. Nye about an Agreement with
them, 136.

Irifh B^bellion, 41.^45.

K.

Kjnnet [Dr. tj^hite"]. His Proteftation again ft the Irre-
gularities of the Lower Houfe, 690.

His Hiftory of England. Remarks On feveral Omiflions,
and unkind and untrue Reilcdiions in it upon the
Diflenters, 61, 82. 154. 158. 165. 170. 183. 309,

. 312. 3i<^. 328. 33l-,33<^- 348. 3<57.

Several of his Writings in the Convocation- Controver-
fie, among thofe you arc direded to an Abftra£^ of
in the Word [Convocation.

KJng^ Bifliop of Londonderry, Scheme of his Difcourfe
of Humane Inventions in the H^otjhip of God, ^41.

Kjieeling at the Sacrament, Mr. Baxters Sentiments of

it upon bis firft ftudying the Difciplinarian Contro-

verfie, 13. Hin early Debates in writing for the

Lawfulnefs of it, 14. Offers to give all at Kieder-

minfter tne Liberty of their Gefture, but could not

comply with the defire of one that would have it

r.love kneeling, 35. Debate at xhe Snvoy Conference

about the finfulnefs of enjoining Miniftersto deny.

the Communion to thofe that dare not Kneel, 165.

Nonconformifts Reafons againft confenting to this.

Debares with Mr. OUyffe and Mr, Hoadly dhoxxt 'ir,

210, — 212.

An IN D E X.

Laney^ Biftiop of Peterborough, His Behaviour at the

Savoy Conktence, and afterwards, 173.
Liberty of Confcience. See [Toleration-l^
Liturgy. Mr. BiJxter''^ Thoughts of Liturgies in Gene-
ral, and of the Englifh Liturgy, 1 3 . The Presby^
terians at the Reftoration own d the Lawfulnefs
of a Liturgy, Petition the King that a new one
niight be Cornpii'd, or the old one Reformed, 142.
Epifcopal Divines in their Anfwer agree it Ihould be
revis'd, 144. The King's Declaration promised fuch
a revifal, 153. At the Savoy Conference the Prefby-
terians offer their Exceptions to the Liturgy. An Ab-
ftradt of them, 154.— 158. The Aditions they
defir'd, drawn up by Mv, Baxter^ 158. fXhis i^5-
f armed Liturgy inferred at large, jippeniix p. i .) The
Bilhops v/ill agree to no Alterations, 161. Put the
Diffcnters on declaring what they >adg'd flatly finful
in the Liturgy. They charge Eight Things as fuch,
164. The Difpute in Writing upon one of the Par-
ticulars, 165. Some Reflediions on the Ordinance of
Parliament, 1645. againft the ufe of iheGommon-
Prayer, 186. Nonconformifts Reafons againft de-
claring ACfent and Confent to the Common-Prayet.
Debates with Mr. OHyffe and Mr. Hoadly about, it,
201 . — 238. Writings fro and con. An. 1 66 1 . and 62.
about the Liturgy, 304. The Difficulties from a
prefcrib'd Form fenfibly felt by the Clergy in the
Thanikgiving for the Pretender'' s}Bmhf 382. Am
in their Prayer for King James when the Prince of
Gr/«w^ff was coming, 387.

LocJi^Mr, John'], Abftradt of his Letters concerning
Toleration. The Firft and Second, 499. — 506. The
Third, 513. — 527. The Fourth, 699.

l^ove J[ChriJicpher'}. His Trial and Death^ 66,

M.

Marriages. Appointed by Oliver's little Parliament to

be Solcmniz'd before Magiftrates, inftead of Mini-

fters. But many, while they came before a Juftice

for this Purpofe, were marryd in bis Prefence by

>. '- w ■ Mi"-

An INDEX.

Miniftc"» ^7« M^- Baxter's Determination of the
Cafe, whether a Proteftant Lady might Marry a Pa-
pift, 408.

MaJJacre in hehnd^ 42. — 45.

Miniftry, A Reformation of the Miniftry agreed on
at the beginning of the long Parliament. Petitions
from all Quarccrs againft their Minifters. f^hite's
fcandalous Centuries, 20,21. The advantageous
Circuraftances Mr. Baxter met with to promote the
Succefs of his Miniftry at Ksderminfler^ 27. — '34.
Put to the Queftion in Oliver's little Parliament, whe-
ther all the Parifh Minifters of England (hould not be
put down 5 carry'd in the Negative but by two Voices,
68. Triers of Minifters appointed by Cronmell^ 69,
Pf^orcefterfhire Petition for the Miniftry, and Defence
of it, 119, 1 20. Of an uninterrupted Succeflion in
it. See {^Epifcopacy.

Morle^, Bifhop of Pf^orcefter, His Behaviour at the Savoy
Conference, and warm Temper, .171.

Moulin [Dr. ?eter'\. His proof of the Papifts concerting
King Charles the Firft's Death. Difpleafure of the
Papifts and Court againft him for it. The Dr's offer
to ftand a Trial, which wasrefus'd, 58*

.N.

KevO'England. Mr. Baxters Service to the Intereft of
• Religiqn there, 406. Letter from the Nonconfor-

mift Minifters of London \,o their Brethren there, to
^ollicite the taking off the Penal Laws againft Qua-
^kers, 670.
I^ichols [Dr. H^illiam'] . His Reflcdiions on the Firft

Edition of this Abridgment confider'd, 643. Some

paflages of his H'rtory relating to the Convocation,

1689. 445. 45 f.
N)noonformity. The firft Occafion of Mr. Baxter's con-

fidering the Bulinefs of Conformity, 12. His firft

Judgment about it, 13. Occafions of his inclining

more to Nonconformity , \C.
A brief Hiftory of the Rife and Progrefs of Ntnconfor"'

mity till the Civil Wars, 46.-49.

State

An INDEX.

State^ of the NonconformJfts under King Charles IL

The Presbyterians Overtures for Reconciliation with the
Church upon the Reftoration, 139.. Their PropofaJs
about Church Government, 141, Anfwer of the
Epifcopal Divines, 143. The King's Declaration for
Eccltfiiijiieal Affairs^ drawn up by Lord Chancellor
Clarendon, He fends a Copy of it to the Presbyterians
before publifh'd. A Conference between them and
the Church Party upon it at his Houfe before the
Kj^g and feveral Peers. Several Amendments made

in it thereupon. Publifh'd, 149 '5^. Addrefs

of Thanks from many London Minifters for ir, 152.
This Declaration no farther executed than to fufpend
for a Year the Laws againft Nonconformijis, and to
brfng on the Savoy Conferences. Lift of thofe Com-
miflion'd to manage thofe Conferences. Account
of them, 153.-— —176. The Presbyterians Kepre-
fentation of them to the King, and Petition for A-
batements, 176. Their Overtures in vain. Sham
^Piots contriv'd to make thenfi odious, 177. A Mo-
tion in Parliament for enadting the King's Declarati^
on, opposed by a Secretary of State, 181.

AB of Vniformity brought in. Scandalous Arts us'd to
difpofe the Parliament to pafs it, by laying Sham
P/o^j to the Dilfenters Charge, 177.' 181. Far-
ther Methods us'd for palling it, 182. Effedls of
that AB, 1 83. A ferious Expoftulation upon ir, 1 84.

195.

Cafe of the Nonconformifls after that AB, 304.' The
King's Declaration of Indulgence foon after. The
DifTenters wave an Addrefs of Thanks for it, becaufe
it included Papi^s, and the Parliament remonftrate
againft ir, 305. Many imprifon'd, 306. A legal
Indulgence or Comprehenfion talk'd of about this
Time, 307.

The Conventicle. AH increafes their Difficulties, 308.
Difference among them whether they fhould join at
all in the publick Worfhip, as Matters then ftood,
309. Ejedled Minifters Preach privately till the
Plague. Some of them then Preach publickly in the
forfaken Churches to the good of many, 3 1 o.

The

' Jn I'N D E X.

The Oxford- AB made in the Plague Time, obliged them
to Swear to abfolute Koff^!{efiftance^ or baniih'd them
Five Miles from any Corporation. Promoters and
Oppoiers of that Ad in the Houfe, 311. Some here-
upon retire to obfcure Villages j Others venture
the more boldly to Preach till imprifon d. And fome
few take the Oath with an Explanation, 312, 31 3,

After the Fire, they open'd publick Meetings and were
undiHurb'd. Many of them agree to Occafional Com'
munion with the Church, 315. On Clarendof2sDl{'
grace and Buckingham's coming into Favour, they ire
conniv'd at, and the King in a Speech recommends
an Indulgence. A like refpite granted in the Coun-
try, 316-

An. 1 66S. Propofals of comprehending Presbyterians and
tolerating other Proteftants made by Lord Keeper
Bridgman. His Propofals a.t large. Dr. Manton and
Mr. Baxter confer with him, Dr. iVilkins and
Mr. Burton abotjt it- Tbey move for fome Additi-
ons, but are loldthey could not be obtained, 317

321. Judge H<:/e draws a Bill to this purpofe, but
the High Party prevent it's being offered by a warm
Vote againft any fuch Bill. The Dijfenters upori 2
Motion from Court Addrefle the King, who allures
them of Favour; but all comes to nothing, 322.

1670. A^ agAtn^ Conventicles renew'd, and made
more fevere. Dr. Mayitcn and others imprifon'd upon

• it. Archbifhop Sheldon s Letter, exprelling his Hopes
of the extirpation of Nonconformity by it, 318.
Meetings difturb'd by Soldiers, 330. Dukt Lauder-
dale makes fome PropoJals to Mr. Baxter for lower-
ing the Terms of Conformity in Scotland, 331.

1671. The NoYiconformili s feverely profccutcd by Bi-
fhop U^^ard in the Diocefs of SalKhury, 332. They
Addrefs the King upon a, Motion from Court, have
fair Promifes, and are connivM at. The King^s De-
claration of Indulgence publifh'd on the Commence-
ment of the Duich War. The Tenour of it, 333, 334,

1672. Diflenter^ prefenr a cautious Addrefs of Thanks
on that Occasion, and take out Licences. They fet
up a Tuefday Leiiure at Pinufs-Hall^ 3:^5,

1673. Parliament Voce the King's DecUratlon illegal.
Alderman Lwe, a known Diflenter, zealous againft
it. A Bill pafs'd the Commons, for eafc of Proteftant

Oif-'

An IN D EX.

Diffenters, but dropd with the Lords ^ 336. A new
Monon from Court to Mr. Baxter to draw up fome
Propofals of Union with the Church ; which ap-
peared to be infincere by the ftricSures made on them
by a Biihop faid to be a Friend to the Deiign, 338,
—340. A Bill for Accommodation drawn up again
by fonnie of the Commons^ but defeated by the Bi-
(hops, 340.

1 674. The CJergy preach up fe verities again ft the Dif-
fenters. 340. The Bifhops ad vife the King to recail his
Licences ; which he does by a Declaration. Severities
renew'd. Mr. Baxter taken as a Conventicler, hue
difcharg'd. Dr. M^n/on way-laid, but efcap'd, 341^
342. A frelh attempt for Accommodating Differen-
ces between Tf7/o(/3«, Stilling fleet, smd Manton, Bates^
Pool and Baxter. Propofals agreed to among them,
but refus'd by the Bifliops, 342, 343-

ji675. Informers bufie in the City, but difcourag'd by
moft of the Aldermen, 344. Sheldon writes to the
Biibop of London to know the number of Diflenters,
345, 34^.

1676. The King urges Judges and Jufticesto execute
the Laws againfl Diffenters, 347.

I tSgo. A Bill for Comprehenfion^ another for Indulgence
read twice in the Commons and committed. The
Heads of fuch a Bill agreed to in the Committee,
349. — 351. This failing, a Bill prepar'd for exemp-
ting Proteftant Diffenters from the Penalties of 25th*
Eli:[. which part Lords and Commons, but was taken
from the Table when the King came to the Houfe,
and heard of no more. Debates on this Occafion in
the Houfe of Commons, 352, 353.

i68i. New Profecutions of Diffenters in the Cit^
and Southwarl{y by Order of the King and Coun-
cil, 356.

1 682. Extream Severities againft many Diffenting Mi-
nifters and People, 337.

1683, 84. Severities continue and increafe. A vio-
lent Prefemmenc of the fVeJiminJier Grand-Jury,
And a cruel Order by the Juftices of Exon^ which
the BiOiop required his Clergy to read in the Churches,
360, 361. Severe Proceedings againft Mr. Baxter
and Mr. l{ofewelly 363. — 365. Several Nonconform
mift Minijiers die in Prifon, 3 65.

State

An INDEX.

State of the Nonconformifls under King James IF.

1685. The fame Methods us'd againft the DifTcnters
at firft, as in his Brother's Time. Mr. Baxter s Trial
for his Paraphrafe ojz the New T^ftament^ 368.

1686. Profecutions againft Dilfenters continue; but
new Favour fhewn upon application to ihofe above,
372-, 373. Bifhops InjundtiDns to prefent all that
came not to Church, 374. Many take out Licenfes
from ihe King to ftop procefles for Noncontormity,

375.

1687. Tht}^mgsDecUration for Liberty of Confcience,

publiih'd. The Diffenters make ufe of it ; but with-
out falling into Court Meafares, or profecuting Re-
venge, 375. — 377. The Zeal of a Dilfenter for
aflifting the Church- Writers at Oxford againft Obadi-
ah IVnlker, and their ill requital of him, 377. — 379*
Mr. Dickyelt gives private Affurances to the Dilfen-
ters of the Prince of Oranges Inclination to Liberty
of Confcience, h8o. The like Aifurances given in
Fagel's Letter, 381. Commiflioners Cent by the King
to enquire of the Dilfenters through the Nation
what they had loft by Profecutions, but none of them
would take the Opportunity of Revenge, 382.

1688. King's Declaration renew'd with Additions.
An Order for reading it in Churches. Clergy refufe.
Bilhops interceding are fent to the Tower ; declare
in their Petition that they are willing to come to a
Temper with Dilfenters. Sancroft then projecSts fome
Amendments for gaining them, 383, 384. In Arti-
cles fent to his Clergy, preffes them to have a tender
Regard to their Brethren the Protejiant Dijfenters^
385. In the Bilhops Advice to the King to call a
Free Parliament, one End mention'd, to provide for
due Liberty of Confcience. The fame Temper ex-
prelsd by rhc Church-Writers then, 386. To the
fame purpofe the Prince of Orange's Declaration, 387*
Bilhop of London introduces fome Difl'enting Mini-,
fters to the Prince along with his Clerg^. Dilf-'nters
Addrefs him in a Body, 387,388. Why the Dilfen-
ters wrote not much againft Popery in King James's
Time, 373.

State

An INDEX.

State of the J^onconformifis under King William,

1 68?. They Addrefs the King and Queen Mary on
their. Acceflion to the Crown, wherein they declare
their readinefs to confent to the Terms of Union
wherein all the Reform'd Churches agree, 423. — 425.
Promifes made them in King Jam^s^ Time, and the
ill performance of them reprefemed out of Bilhop
Burnet, 426, 417.

1689. A Bill iot Comprehenjion, another for Indulgence
brought into Parliament. Oppofition to them in both
Houfes, 418. The King moves for capacitating all
Proteftants to ferve him. A Claufe ofFer'd to take
away the Tefl^ but rejefted, 439. Another Motion,
that taking the Sacrament in any Proteftant Congre-
gation Ihould be fufficient, rejed^ed. Some Lords
proteft, 440. A Motion for leaving the Pofture in-
different. Voices being equal, it was determin'd in
the Negative, 442. A^ of Toleration paft, JViiy 24.'

444- . „

Attempts this Year for feme Alterations in Favour of

the DifTenters fcruples, fee [Ecclefiafiical CommiJJions.'J

and [^Convocation.

Diffenting Minifters fubfcribe the Dodrinal Articles
of the Church. The Senfe of many of them there-
in exprefs'd by Mr. Baxter in a Trad: then publilh'd
and inferted here, 469.

2690. Heads of Agreement affented to by the Preshte-
a?2s and Independants, 476. Their Behaviour under,
the ^volutiony to the Government, to each other, to
the Church, 488. Endeavours us'd by fome to cramp
their Indulgence as much as they could, particularly.
by Bilhop Stillingfleet, 498.

1692. Vnited M>«//?eri publifli their Senfe 0/ Mr. Rf^
chard DavisV erroneous Dodtrines, and irregular
Pra6lices, 512. — 514. The unhappy Concefts that
arofe among them on uccafion of reprinting Dr. C^-^^'s
Works, fee in [ Crijp,

1694- They Addrefs the King on Qgcen Ai.'rr/s Death,

535?.
1697. DifTenters profecuted in the Bifhop's Courts for
inftrufting Youth, but obtained Prohibitions, 551.-^
S53. Sir Humohrj Edppin, Lord Ma^or, carries the

■An INDEX.

TraBs written upon that Occalioii, 622, 623. Fir si
'Bill agninit it^ 1702. Abftradt of it. Lords Amend-
ments, Free Conference between the two Houfes.
Bill drop'd, (524.— 634- Second Bill agaln^ it, 1703.
Difference between that and the former* Speeches in
DOth Houfes on the Occafion. Thrown but by the
Lords, 645. — 649. More 'treids upon ibis Subjc£^,
'649. — 654. Third Bill aoninil it^ 1 704. With the
unfuccefsful Attempt of the Tacl{. Rejedled again
by the Lords. New Pi/ri:in^s on the Subject:, 660. — .
662. 692. Fourth Bill brought in to the Houfe of
Lords, 171 1, and pafs'd, 724.

Ohffe [Mr. John]. His Anfiver to the 1 oth Chapter of
the Ahridge/nenti^ S59. His Second Defence^ 691.
His Third Defence: With fome Reflcdlions on it, 697,
698. Summary of his principal Obje<5tions to the
I oth Chapter, and of the Anfwers that have beenre-
tufn'd to him, pr.ffim in Mar^. from p, 199. to ^.285.

Or^fr/. About the threeOrders of Minifters,fee[£;'(/co;)/jc|.

Debates between Mr. Baxter and Mr. Johnfon about the
rieceflity of Epifcopal Ordination, {tt\_Epifcopacy,

Nohconformifts Reafons why they could not fubmit to
^-ordiiiation. Debates with Mr. OUjffe and Mr. Hoadh
about it, if)6. 200.

Owen [Mr. James^. His Plea for Scripture-Ordination,
and Defence of it^ 543. His Moderation 4 Vertue,6'iOt

• <$5i. Moderation it ill a Vcrtue, 66 i.

Oxford- Aci, againft the DilTenting Minifters. See [Now-
conformity.

Oxford- Decree. See \_I{ffiif:a?icc.

Papifts, Their concern in the King's Death, proved
from Du-Mouiiny Prynne Sind Atkjm^ 58, 59. They
influenc'd the Seclaries in the Army in difguife, 91,
lo^i Mr. B^.v^pr's Contefts with them, 1:^8. King
Charles Sccomi's Parhament awaken'd to a Senfe of
the danger of Popery, 337. Whether a Proteftant
Lady may lawfully Marry aPapift, 408. PopifhPiot
and its confequences, 348. In King James's time
they endcavour'd to inflame Diflenters with revepge
againft the Church, but without Succcfs, 367,. Pro-
ceedings of his Ecclefiaftical Commiflion, fee [^Eccle-

- f}^fii<i'il Ccwmijfions. Their other Methods 10 introduce
Popery in that Reign, pajjim in Ch. 14. Parser,

An INDEX:

Parker. A ring-leader of the flrange Opinions in the
Army. Wrote againft the Ajfemblies Confe/fion, 1 03.

Parlinment. The Long Parliament of 1 640. fee [Charles IJ
andCCrownr//.] Wver^ little Parliament, 67, 68. King
Charles the Second's long Parliament, fee [CW/ej 11.

Pier/on^ afterwards, Bifjiop of Chefier. His Behaviour
at the ^^w;' Conference, 175.

Plots, -Sham-plots laid on the Prefbyterians to facilitate
the Vniformity-A^i^ 1 7?. Another An. i66l, 305.
P<7p//^ PJDt, 1678. 348. Affaflination-PJqr, 548.

Pordage [r)r» Si Behr?ie>ufty 103.

Prayer. Remarkable Anfwers of it, 400.

Presbytcriajjs. Did all they could 10 oppofe the King's
Death. Their Petition to the General againft ir, 60.
Charg'd with a correfpondence with the King, for,
which /-o-y^fufFer'd, 66. What Mr. Baxter zippioy'd
in their Scheme of Government, 112. And what he,
dii$pprov'd, 114. See [^Nonconformity.

Pfdlter. Nonconformifts Reafons againft ufing the
Tranflation of it in the Common Prayer. Debates
with Mr. Ollyffe and Mr. Hoadiji about it, 234, 235.

^aheys, Mr. Baxters Difpute v^iihthtmsLt K^dermin'-
iter^ 29. Account of their Principles and Rife, 102.
Letter of the DifTenting Minifters in London toNew^
England f to follicit the Repeal of fome Penal Laws,
againft them, 670. Trial of Penn and Meady 325.

lUnters. Their wicked Opinions and Practices,. lor.'

Reformation of Manners. Societies for it commenc'd, An^
' i 691 . 5 op. Upon the Peace of i^)/w/c/c began to have .
pablick Sermons from Conformifts and Npnconfof°
mifts 10 animate that good Work, 551.

Regale. See [Supremacy.

I^eigmlJs [Dr. Edvoard']. Turn'd out of the.Deapry of.
Chrift-Church for refufing thq Engagement, 63 . On what
Terms he accepted the Biflioprick oi Norwich, 151.
His Behaviour at the S/ix'o;' Conference, 174., Joins ^
with the Presbyterians (when Bifhop) in the Reprefep-
tation of it and Petition to the Kjng, 17,^.

J^efijiancel Nonponforoiifts Rpafons againft fubfcribing ,

th? Dedaratidri of the unlawfulnefs of caking Arms a- ;

'•■'■*■■**■• ■ "'Hhh-a,. '■ galn^i

J« IN D E X. '■

gainft the King or any commifTion'd by him on any pre-
tence whatever, 260. Account of theOx/or</-i^a, 1665.
that prefcrib'd this to all Nonconformifl Miniflers,^ 1 1 .
Struggles in the H^ufe of Lords upon the Bill that would
enjoin the fame on the Lords, Commons and all Magi-
ft rates, 1675. ^44. Mr. Uoadiy%StTmonoT\J{om. 13. i. j
and theNoile it made, 691. "The Oxford- Decree, 1683.
and tome Reflexions on it, 360 , 361. j

Revolution. See [l^^illiam III. j

fij-^htsofthcChrijiian Church. Abftra(5 of itj 701. — 709.

Kjghts of Proteftnnt Dijjenters, 661.

]l{oJeweJI[lAT.Thorfiaf'], The fevcre Proceedings agalnft
him, 1684. 363.

S.

Sacheverel [Dr. Hewj], His Sermon at St Pauls, 1709.
' and the Confequences of it, 711.

S^trahfntcJTeJ}.¥ixd for Officers in Corporations,! 661.
I to. King J/i>7if J attempts to take it off with the Penal
"ivr^j in favour of the Papifts, 380. Prince and Princcfs
df Or/i7:ge refufe to confent to it, 381. King IViUiam .
rnbves for the repeal of it fo far as to make Protefttnt
DklTenters capable of ferving him. Attempts in Parlia-
nnentfor it, butin vain, 439. — 444. The Noife after-
wards rais'd upon the Occafional Communion of fomc
of them with the Church, fee in [Occ-iponal Conformity.

Letter from a Genthman in Scotland again ft the Sacramen-

. talTeft, 710.

Saner oft [^hh^.p^Cnnterbury\ Offers Reafons with 6 other
Bifhops to ¥^\n^J/imcs for refudngtb difperfehis Decla-
ration for Liberty Imprifon d for it,try*d and acquitted, .
383, 384. HepT0;e6ts at rhat Time fome Conceflions
and Alterations to gain the Diflenters, j/'/t/. and;>. 450.
In Articles then fent to his Clergy preflej them to Mode-
ration iotheir^yethrentheVroteflantDiJfenters^l^^ .From
the firftrcfufcs to own King W^//7y4r»'sCovernment.Su-
fpended nb off.cio for it, An. 1 690. Could.not be prevail'd .
on to gi\e his Reafonsforrefuling the Oath, 484. To- .
tally d'cpriv'd, i6pr. 506. His Death. Short View of
his ftrange Condn(f^ after the [{evolution^ 5 27. — 5 29. :

Sandcrfu7i [Bifhop of Lincoln^. His Behaviour at the Sav«y
^ Conference,. 171. . ,

Savoy Confer evce. See ['Nonconformity.

Scotland. DiHurbances there en the nev; Cammon Prayer

fcnt

* J^ -P^ ^'"^

fcm them, when the CS?c. Oath was enjoin d here, 1 7.
Their cntring England twice wkh an Army, and Picifi-
cttion with them as often, 18: Parliament oiEnglondy
An. 1643. dcfire their ailiftancc upon the King's Succef-
fcs. They confent on condition the Covenant might be'
ti^tn'inEngland, On the Parliaments compliance, they
bring in an Army and clcaf the North 5 but afterwards
do little Service. Cromx9eU\ Policy to make the Englijh
V!Jt2xy of them, 80, 81. The King delivers himfelf to
them. How they came to furrender him to the Parlia-
mem-Commiflioners, 55. Their adhertrice to King
Charles II. and attempts for his Service. CrotnweB's Con-
queft of them, '6^.^^66. Lauder dnle's Propofals An. '
1670. for lowering the Terms of Conformity in icot-
land, 351. Vnion with England^ 695, 696. ' ^'

SeRaries.'Jhtiv Progrefs in the Parliament-Army by Crow-
■ n7ir/'sfavbur,54.87. OowjiTf/ weary of them whenhehad
gain'dhis Ends, andH^rr//b«theirHead, 68,69. Mx. Bax-
ters fuccefsful Oppolicion to them at Coventry^ 80. Ob-
fervations concerning them in the Army, 89.— 91 . His
icbntefts with them, and filencing them in a publick Con-
ference, p i , 9 2. impediments to his Succefs with them,
93. A Sum of the Account he gives of therri, 94.«^— 104,
Seekers. Their Opinions and Charadler, lOf,
Sheldon, k\>^.6{ Canterbury. One of the Commiflioners for
* ' the Savoy Conference. Then Bp: oi London. His 6ehavi«
aur at an introduAory Meeting, 153,154. Sets afide
Mr. Calamy and Mr. Baxter ^ when chofen ProAors for
London to the Convocation, 1 66 1. 1 59. His Behaviour
at the Savoy Conference, 171 . His Refblution of exclu-
ding the Prefbyterians. A paflage that feems to intimate
more Moderation afterwards, ibid. Marg. Before the.
AH ofVniformity grants Mr. Baxter a licence to preach
in his Diocefs, 301. Is made Abp. oiCanterbury, 1 663.
3 06. A'main promoter of the Oxford- AS ^ 511. Sends
Orders 1 66-5 -^o his Suffragan Bps. to return ttie Names
of the ejedlcd Minifters in their Diocefsj ^i^.Mdr^. A
Letter to his Suf&agan Biftiops, 1670. upon occafion^
oithtConv^enti<ile-/i&^ inferted at large, 328.»«-33i^
His Letter to the Bifhop of London, 1675. inquiring into
the number of Diffentcrs in his Diocefs, 345, 346,
S her lock. [Dr.']^ His Behavio'jr as to the Oaths upon

the Revolution, 48 s.
Shif 'Money. Difcortcms in Ew^/^?7 J upon ir, i8.

Shute

A^ I N D E X:

Shute IMtifJt^n'], His Inter eft of England with reference to
-I'PrdteBMnt Diffenters, 651.' His Rights Tf ProteSl ant
Oijfentcfs^ 661.

Stem, Bifhop of Curlijle. His Behaviour at the Snvoy
Conference, 174.

S%bfcriftion. Mr. B^^t^er's early fcmples about it, 14.

Succeffion, uninterrupted ir1*the Miniftry, whether ric-
ceiffary ot not, fee \_fipifeopacy.

Supremacy., of the King in Ecclefiaftical Matter?'. This a
Subje^ of Debate between the Swearing and Non-
fwearing Glergy in the Cafe of the depriv'd Bifhop?,

/^66. 468. 508, — 510.' And in the Convocation

Controverfie. See the Abftradk of the Writings in
that Controvcrfic in th6 Word [Couvocaticn.

Lefley'/ Cafe of the I{egale and Pontificate, 644.

Surplice. Mr. B^jxf^r's Thoughts of it, 15.

T.

Termifortf ,Abp. of Canterbury, Succeeds Ahp.Tillotfon*
: Preaches Queen Mar/s Funeral Sermon, 539. His
Circular Letter, 1695. 549. HisGontefts with feveral
Lower Houfes of Convocation, fee in [^Convocation,
Teft, See [Sacramental Telt,

Thortjdil{e. His Behaviour at the Savoy Conference, 175.
Tillotfon, Abp. of Canterbury. Concerned An. 1 674. in fome
. Overturesfpr accommodation with the Dilfenters, in
which he agreed with them in a Scheme for it ; but all
• f ruftrated %vhen coaimunicated to the Bilhops, 345. Per-
fuaded King f^iUiam to take the way of an Ecclefiaftical
Commijfiori and Convocation for accommodating our
Church differences, 445, 446, One of the Ecclefiaftical
CommiflTioners, 447. Had the laft hand in drawing up
the defign'd Alterations in the Liturgy , 45 1 . Put up by
the moderate Side (or Prolocutor of the Convocation,
but loft it, 461. Made Abp. in the room of Dr.Sa'n"
croft, 506,- His Death, and the Treatment his Me-
mory met with, 537- 5?8.
Tpland. Debates in Convocation .about cenfuring his

B9ok, 603. 66^.
long [Mr. H^iOiam']. Shorl Scheme of hu Defence of

Mr. Henry of Schifm^ and the Vindication of it, ^30.
'Toleration. C'orwtpfZ^ cemented the Sedlarics in ^be Army
by their common Inrereft o( Liberty of Confcience,' $/{.
-CromweH joii/d with nonparty, but v/as for Liberty xgc
\ ■• ' ' . " ;. - all, '

An INDEX.

alJ, 88. Sectaries difputed warmly for Uniyerfal Liber-
ty, 90. ^4«e'sP]ea for 11,99. CromtpellzikslAt, Baxter's
judgmencaboucir, v»/bichhefendshimin Wricing, 1 1 o.
Mr. Baxter zgMn^ folliciting the Magiftrate cp fecond
Bxcommunication with Temporal Punilhmems, 114.
G/ft'er^s Inftrumenc of Government declar'd for Liberty
to all that profefs'd Faith in Chrift, 1 20. A ciaufe pro-
posed to be inferted in King Charles's Declaration, for Ec-
clefiafiicalAjfairs for a general Toleration. Mr. B/jjt^rr'g
Speech on that occalion, 150. The Author'^ diflike of
an Ordinance of Parliamenc, 1 64.5. forbidding the Ufc
ofCommon Prayer under Penalties; but the difparity
between that and the A<3: of Uniformity (hewn, 1 86.

The feveral fteps taken towards a Toleration in K. Charles,
K. JameSy and Yi.fVilliams Reigns, fee in [Uonconformity,

DilTenting Minifters in London's hQiiet to. New- Englnnd^
folliciting the Repeal of fome dorraa^tLaws there
againft Q«^/;erj, 670. ::;•.' ^ .

Abflra^ o£ Mr. Locl^s fqur Letters of Toleration. The ift.

and 2d. 499. — 506. The 3d. 523. The 4th. 699. Ah-

Jirafi of the Inter eji of England ai to Protefiant Dijfen-r

ierj^ for their Toleration, 65 1. An4 of the I{jghts of

Protejlant Dijfenters, 661.

Other TraEis written for and againj^ Toleration^ il6 ,
'321.326.354,355.338.341.366,;,

yriers. See (Miniflry, , - •> i- « y ■ {. <

Trinity, Debates ih the Church of £«g<<i^/^^bout it, 548.

U. ^■■'^^- '

Vane [Sir Henry']. His management along ivith Croinweli
for new modelling the Army, 53. Cromwell's reflecti-
on on him, 67. Account of him and his followers,
98,99. Mr. Brfx^er's Writing againft him, and his
Indignation at it, 100. His Death, lOr.

'Uniformity AB, See [Nonconformity.

ZJnion between Presbyterians and Independents, 47^,
BciyNCcn England and Scotland, 695,6^6.'

"Ofher, Abp. of Armagh. His £(educiion of Epifcopacy to the
Form of Synodical Government^ H5 • Mt. Baxters inti-
macy with him. His fentiments of Univerfal Redemp-
tion, and of th6 Validity of Ordination by PresbJ-
ters, 405.

W.

yVar^ between Kin§ and Parliament, fee [Qharks\P^ arid

[iCromweU. " !\\

Whiter Centuries, ACenfure of them, 2i . ^il-

An INDEX.

WiBinm \\\. In King James's time Dickpelt the Stat<:
Minifter here, gave afTuranccs to all of the Prince of O -
?^4«^<r'sRefolutiontoftand up againrt Popery andF^wcr
hnd to the Konconforjrt'^fts of his AfFeciiion to Liberty of
Confcience, 379,38'^- K.y4Wfj endeavours to obtain
the i^rinccTind Princejs's DecUracion for taking off the
Penal Laws. They give a Declaration to the contrary
hy Penlionary Page/, 380, 381. Ona rumour of the
Princes comifig^thc Court changes their Meafurcs. He
lands at Torhay, His Declamtion. Arrives at ^t.Jamei*s
Btfhopof Low^on. with fome Dlffenting Minifters, wai.t
on him. The Diffentcrs foon after do it in a Body,
386, 387. The Convention offer the Crown to the
Prir,ce 2LT]dPrincefs; which they accept, 389.

All Protcftants concur in the ^voiution at firft, 387.
Many foon for compromifing Matters with K. James,
but carry 'd againft theni,'389. ,

He endeavours according to his Declaration to bring about a
good Agreement between the Church and DifTcnters.
The fteps he took towards it, fee in \J^onconformity,

Clergy divided about raking the Oaths to the new Go-
vernment. Sum of their Reafonings/^ro and cow, 465.—
468. Rclie(^icns upon their Altercations, 468. Non-ju-
fing Clergy fufpcnded ah officio. Endeavours us*d to gain
Petitions for their Reftoracion. Mildermethods us'd, till
the vacant Sees are fill'd-upona difcovery of trcafonable
.Correfpondencies.Dr.5^ffr/ocJ!;'s Behaviour on this occa-

• iion, 484, 485. Non-fwcaring Clergy's feverc Cenfiircs
on thofethat took theOaths,486. Their feditiousPraycTS,
487.Writingsforlthe Cover nmcnt.Diflenicrsuniverfal;
]y fall in with the Revolution, 488. 1 69 ( . Non juring
Bps. and Clergy cjeded. Tracfis^ro and cow, whether the
deprived Bps. were to be adher'd to. Behaviour of the
ejedled, 507.— 510. Bp./^^i'Z^/<j^A/s noble Account of the
Penefirs of the /^ffW//;iow, 544. Andofthcfufpiciournels

1 of the Birth of the pretended Prince Q^PVaUs^ 54^.

Death of Queen Mary, univerfally lamented, 5 3S. — 540.
AlTallination plot, 548. Peace of i^/wif/;, 551. The

'. King ftopstheProfecution ofaNonconformift, 555.

The Kang's Death. The Diflentcrs Behaviour towards
him, and his to them, 619, 620.

Y. . .

Tr.rrmvton. 1 he (ham Plot chare d on him and rn^hy
other Prelbyterians, 1661. Abftiadt of his own Ac-
count of it, 178. — 181. M^trg.

t I N I S.

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